Import to USA

Import to USA

Import to USAImport is transactions of goods from seller “exporter" to the purchaser “importer” in international trade. Import process is closely regulated anywhere in the world. Any goods entering a country are subject or exempt of import duties. All the goods entering the country must be declared before customs for clearance. Import to USA is closely monitored process and has to be done by licensed and registered NVOCC / Ocean freight forwarder and custom broker.

24 hour Rule

All cargo imported in the USA must be declared before US customs 24 hours prior to vessel sail from the ports of loading around the world. The filing with the US customs Automated Manifest System (AMS) must be done either from the VOCC (vessel operating common carrier) or licensed NVOCC Company transporting the cargo.

Import Entry Process of Goods in USA

When import cargo reaches the United States the importer (consignee, custom broker, owner of the goods) must file entry documents for the imported goods at the port of entry. The cargo must be properly classify and declared before US customs. It is completely importers responsibility to arrange goods examination and release of the goods, any misrepresentation and omissions can bring to penalties and confiscation. The custom broker can guide you through all the procedures for proper filing and release of the imported freight. Additional import permits may be required for importing foods, alcohol, tobacco or other regulated merchandise. 15 days prior to the cargo arrival at US port of entry the documents must be filed with US customs.

Required Import Documents

The importer must declare datable value of the merchandise. The final inspection and appraisements are made by the US customs. The importer must determine the proper classification of the goods Harmonized Tariff - Schedule B of the United States (HTSUS).

Bonded Import Entry to Warehouse

If the importer decides to postpone customs release of the cargo, it may be placed in bonded warehouse. The goods may remain there up to five years, during that period the goods may be re-exported to another country or under CBP supervision the imported goods may be repack, clean and or manipulated while being in the bonded warehouse. The Bond for the cargo is provided from a bonded custom broker. Import surety bond is guarantee that the import duties, taxes and fees of the goods will be collected. It is like an insurance policy that is collectable from US Customs in the event the importer doesn’t abide by import requirements.

Formal and Informal Import Entry

No import formal entry is required on duty free goods under $2000 in value. This is also known as informal import entry. Informal entry covers import mail shipments, LCL import ocean shipments, air import shipments, commercial shipments, personal import shipments for consumption or resale. The duties are collected by the import shipping carrier who delivers the goods. However import customs declaration, together with commercial invoice must support the import shipment delivery. If the shipment import value exceeds $2000 the importer will be required to prepare formal import entry. Formal import entries are generally for commercial import shipment. The main difference between the formal and informal import entry is the bond.

Inspection and Examination of the Imported Cargo

US Customs will examine:

Import Customs Clearance and Liquidation

When all the import customs procedures are completed, import information is acquired and duties and taxes collected goods are cleared, import entry is liquidated and import cargo released. Any customs duty overpayment will be returned.

We Import from various countries and commodities: