Tips for New Importers and Exporters

Prior to importing, you may contact the CBP office at the port of entry where your merchandise will enter the United States.

A complete directory of the various ports of entry can be found on the CBP Web site.

 

Locate a Port Of Entry ‐ Air, Land, or Sea

https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

If you are unsure of or haven’t decided the port where your shipment will arrive, or you are looking at importing through multiple ports, you may contact a service port of entry near you.

Ask to speak with a CBP import specialist assigned to the commodity you are importing. Import specialists are a valuable resource for commodity specific knowledge and can provide classification advice, commodity specific requirements, advisory duty rates, and respond to questions you may have about filing an entry. At many ports, entry specialists handle questions regarding entry filing. Entry specialists work closely with import specialists and provide the technical processing expertise required to file the necessary paperwork.

When calling the port, the importer should be able to provide as much detail regarding the transaction as possible. In order for the import specialist to best assist you, it is important you be able to exactly describe the merchandise you are planning to import. In order for the import specialist to best assist you, you should provide a full and complete description of the article and answer specific questions such as: 1) the country of origin of the merchandise and manufacturer; 2) the composition of the merchandise; 3) the intended use of the item; and 4) pricing/payment information (in order to properly determine the value of the shipment).

For more information on the classification of merchandise, consult the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) which contains the actual HTS number and tariff classification guidelines that explain how to properly classify merchandise.

 

By Chapter, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States

http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/

Binding Ruling

Importers can request a written ruling from CBP for the proper HTSUS classification and rate of duty for their merchandise.

For information on CBP ruling letters, review What are Ruling Letters.

 

What are Ruling Letters

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/rulings/ruling_letters.xml

When requesting a binding ruling, importers should follow the procedures outlined in Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). Research the results of previous ruling requests by using the Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS).

 

CROSS

http://rulings.cbp.gov/

CBP may have already issued rulings on products similar to yours that you can use for guidance. CROSS also addresses other issues such as value, country of origin marking, and applicability of trade preference programs. The CROSS database is searchable by key word.

 

Exporting

If your future plans call for exporting merchandise from the U.S., you should review the information found in the Export section of CBP’s website.

 

Export Documents, Licenses and Requirements

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/export-licenses

Although CBP enforces many export regulations for various other government agencies, specific questions pertaining to licensing requirements for a particular commodity should be directed to that lead agency. Other agency contact information as well as commodities that may require export licenses can be obtained by visiting the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security Web sites

 

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

http://www.bis.doc.gov/

Questions regarding export licenses may also be directed to CBP officers at the port where the merchandise will exit the country.

 

Locate a Port Of Entry ‐ Air, Land, or Sea

https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

Another resource is the Department of Commerce’s Trade Information Center which you can call at 1‐800‐USA-Trade or visit their website at www.Export.gov.

 

Entry Filing

Although certain resident importers and exporters may file entries on their own behalf, many first time importers and exporters consult a licensed Customs broker.

Those importing merchandise for their own use often hire a customs broker, particularly if they find the importing procedures complicated; however, they may make entry on their own. Importers wishing to consult the professional services of a Customs broker may do so.

Remember, even when using a broker, you, the importer of record, are ultimately legally responsible for the correctness of the entry documentation presented to CBP and all applicable duties, taxes and fees.

 

Quotas

You  should  research  general  quota  information and  quota  requirements  for  certain commodities prior to importing into the United States.

Import quotas control the amount or volume of various commodities that can be imported into the United States during a specified period of time. United States import quotas may be divided into two main types: absolute and tariff‐rate. Absolute quotas usually apply to textiles and strictly limit the quantity of goods that may enter the commerce of the United States during a specific period. Currently there are no commodities subject to absolute quota restrictions. Tariff‐rate quotas permit a specified quantity of imported merchandise to be entered at a reduced rate of duty during the quota period. Once a quota has been reached, goods may still be entered, but at a higher rate of duty.

Quota information is available on the CBP Web site.

 

Textiles and Quotas

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/priority-issues/textiles

This section  contains  links  to  information  on  subjects  such  as  determining  whether imported goods are subject to quota restraints.

 

Are My Goods Subject to Quota?

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/quota/quota-restrict

 

A Guide to Import Goods

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/quota/guide-import-goods

Fill levels for agricultural quotas and textiles eligible for trade preference programs are tracked on the Commodity Status Report for Tariff Rate Quotas.

 

Commodity Status Report for Tariff Rate Quotas

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/quota/tariff-rate-quotas

General quota information and instructions for specific quotas are available to CBP field offices and the trade as Quota Book Transmittals.

 

Quota Book Transmittals (QBTs)

http://www.cbp.gov/trade/quota

 

Exam Billing

You may receive a bill if your shipment is examined by CBP.

Under Title 19, section 1467, of the United States Code (19 U.S.C. 1467), CBP has a right to examine any shipment imported into the United States and it is important to know that you, the importer, must bear the cost of such cargo exams. Per the CBP regulations, it is the responsibility of the importer to make the goods available for examination‐‐ “The importer shall bear any expense involved in preparing the merchandise for CBP examination and in the closing of packages” (19 C.F.R. 151.6). Household effects are not exempt. No distinction is made between commercial and personal shipments.

In the course of normal operations, CBP does not charge for cargo examinations. However, there may still be costs involved for the importer. For example, if your shipment is selected for examination, it will generally be moved to a Centralized Examination Station (CES) for the CBP exam to take place. A CES is a privately operated facility where merchandise is made available to CBP officers for physical examination. The CES facility will unload (devan) your shipment from its shipping container and will reload it after the exam. The CES will bill you for their services. There are also costs associated with moving the cargo to and from the exam site and with storage. Rates will vary across the country and a complete devanning may cost several hundred dollars. The CES facility fulfills the needs of both CBP and the importer by providing an efficient means to conduct exams in a timely manner. CES facilities are discussed in part 118 of the Customs Regulations.