If you are the owner or purchaser of the merchandise, you are importing into the U.S.; you are the importer of record, responsible for filing entry documents with the US Customs.
There are three steps in the importation process:
- Preparation for the importation of the merchandise
- Shipping merchandise from a foreign country into the United States
- Legal entry into the United States
Preparation for the importation of the merchandise
- Make sure your merchandise complies with other agencies’ requirements. That includes the FDA, EPA, DOT, CPSC, FTC, Agriculture, and other US federal agencies. Obtain licenses or permits, if required, from those agencies
- Determine whether your merchandise or its packaging use any trademarks or copyrighted material. If so, make sure you can establish that you have a legal right to import those items into the United States.
- Make sure you know how your goods are made, from raw materials to finished goods, by whom and where
- Determine if your goods are subject to a quota category. If so, plan your import considering the quota period.
- Inform your foreign supplier of CBP country-of-origin marking requirements, and special marking requirements for some merchandise such as watches, gold, and textile
Shipping merchandise from a foreign country into the US
- If shipping by sea, you or your broker must file Importer Security Filing, or ISF (10+2). Transmit ISF at least 24 hours before the merchandise loaded on the ship in the country of export
- Check if the information on shipping documents matches the information on the packing list and the invoice. Then request your shipper to correct errors.
- Make sure that the field Notify Party on shipping documents includes your email and phone number.
Importing into the U.S.: Legal entry
- Obtain Customs Bond for commercial merchandise over $2500 in value
- Also, Customs Bond is required to import more than $250 if the goods are subject to safeguard duties.
- Your customs broker can acquire Customs Bond that satisfies CBP’s requirements.
- Present required entry documentation and supporting information. That includes Commercial Invoice; Packing list; Bill of Lading or Air Waybill; Customs Bond; Other information if required by U.S. Customs.
- Asses and pay duties and fees on the entry. Duties are assessed based on how goods are categorized in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.
- File entry documents with the U.S. Customs, or ask a customs broker to do it for you.
- Once the CBP released the merchandise, the importer may pick up the goods or order a trucker to make a delivery at the final destination.
And last but not least, when importing into the U.S., discuss your importations in advance with your customs broker. More importantly, provide him or her with complete, accurate information about the import transaction. Licensed customs brokers are the only persons authorized by the tariff laws to act as agents for importers in their customs business transactions.