Importing goods and customs clearance in the USA

If you want to ship your goods to the United States then you have to get them through customs and formally import them. This article describes a number of important aspects.

Please note that if you need help, there are various parties available to support you.

Shipping your products

If you sell physical products, you need to get them delivered into the United States. Depending on the country you are in, this may be a challenge.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial bariers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

Travel to the United States for a better impression

The best preparation for doing business in any country is visiting it. This way you can experience the culture, check the shops and build your network.

With Trip.com you can compare flights and also book your hotel.

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Localrent connects you to national rental car providers per country.

Importing goods into the United States

Importing goods into the USA is governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees import duties, documentation, and compliance with federal regulations. The CBP website provides detailed resources and tools for importers: CBP – Importing into the United States.

General Import Process

Customs Declaration
- File an Import Declaration electronically through the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) system.
- Required documents include a commercial invoice, bill of lading, and packing list.
Import Duties and Taxes
- Duties depend on the product’s HS code. Use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) to check applicable rates (HTS Online).
- No VAT applies in the USA, but state and local sales taxes may be levied depending on the destination.
Additional Non-Financial Requirements
- Certain products, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food items, may require compliance with regulations from agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
- For specific import requirements by product, consult the Access2Markets portal (Access2Markets).
Inspection and Clearance
- Customs inspections are common, particularly for high-value or restricted items. Processing time varies but typically takes 1-3 days for complete submissions.
Release of Goods
- After clearance, goods can be moved to their final destination within the U.S.

Service Providers for Assistance

FedEx Trade Networks – fedex.com
UPS Supply Chain Solutions – ups.com
C.H. Robinson – chrobinson.com
Expeditors International – expeditors.com
BDP International – bdpinternational.com

Importing Small Parcels

For small parcels, couriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and USPS (United States Postal Service) offer comprehensive services. Typical shipping costs for a 2kg parcel:

From Europe: $30-$50 (€28-€47) for economy services.
From China: $25-$40 (€23-€38) for economy services.

Express shipping (2-5 days) is available at higher costs. Pricing varies based on provider, service, and destination. Check with couriers for exact quotes.

Customs clearance for the United States

Getting your products imported and delivered in a specific country can be a challenge. I have good experience with Tecex, who can act as your importer of record and even physical distributor. If you leave your details, they will contact you.

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Frequently asked questions

How to find an importer in the United States for your product?

The best way to find an importer in the United States is to understand the sales channel for your product, and what parties are involved. Then find the right importers or wholesalers at the beginning of that chain. Before starting to push your product, approach a number of them to ask what they need. This way you can position your product better before you reach out to a broader group.

How to find a web shop for your product in the United States?

First check whether your product normally is sold through web shops in the United States or that other distribution structures are more common. Then determine the characteristics of your ideal web shop, and find a number of these, or outsource this search. When you approach the first few, you will learn what they find important and who your competitors are.

How to convince an importer in the United States to work with you?

As in any country, convincing an importer or wholesaler to put your product in his assortment is difficult. Importers in the United States look at the rotation of the product, how easy and often they can sell it, and multiply this with the margin they can make on it. The result should be higher than they earn now from any competing product. Only if you have proper sales data, for example from other countries, they will engage in a discussion with you.