Tariff
Goods imported to the USA are regulated by the US Customs Service and a number of Government agencies. Refusal may result in delays, additional expenses, litigation and even prohibition. It is possible to obtain comprehensive information on US tariffs from the website of the US International Trade Commission.
Entering the USA, all goods are categorized according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. With the classification it is possible to determine how much duty will be collected. This process requires the application of the General Rules of Interpretation: the section, chapter and subheading notes, and the explanatory notes. The importer is responsible for properly classifying merchandise before entry.
Import Restrictions
The following are restricted items: alcoholic beverages; animal and animal products; certain drugs (Note: narcotic drugs are generally prohibited); firearms and ammunition; fruits, nuts; meat and meat products; milk, dairy and cheese products; plants and plant products; poultry and poultry products; petroleum and petroleum products; vegetables.
The following items must comply with applicable regulations of other US Government agencies: art materials; cultural property; hazardous/toxic/flammable materials; household appliances; some electronic products; toys and children's articles.
Such goods and products as textiles, clothing, automobiles, boats, radios, CD players, television and medical devices, are subject to special standards, declarations, certification, marking or labeling requirements. Other merchandise must be examined for fitness of use, freedom from contamination, or may be subject to quotas on the quantity imported.
It is important to meet all these requirements before the merchandise may be released from Customs.
Besides, many categories of goods are subject to quota or visa restrictions. There is a brochure on Import Quotas for a complete list.
Product Certification, Labelling and Packaging
There are guidelines that must be met by all importers before shipping.
1) US Customs inspects all imported products to ensure that appropriate packing and labelling requirements are met.
2) Goods subject to different rates of duties should be packed separately unless they can be easily identified and separately both physically and on the import documents.
3) Those packages that contain mixed goods may otherwise be assessed for total duty at the highest rate applicable to any of the contents.
4) Strict regulations govern both the distribution in commerce and labelling of any packaged consumer commodity, including the manner of specifying and indicating net contents.
5) It is required for food items to list all ingredients.
6) FDA does not have a pre-market approval system for cosmetic products or ingredients, with the important exception of colour additives. Nevertheless, drug ingredients are subject to pre-market FDA approval.
7) Such information as country of origin, fibre content, and fabric care instructions must be listed on textiles and apparel. The US Federal Trade Commission has produced a guide to help companies comply with federal labelling requirements for textiles and wool products.
8) Before shipments are made, samples of labels for some cosmetics, foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals should be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration for approval.
9) It is required by the US customs laws that each imported article produced abroad must be marked in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly, and permanently as the nature of the article permits, with the English name of the country of origin, to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the USA the name of the country in which the article was manufactured or produced. But articles which are otherwise specifically exempted form individual marking are an exemption to this rule.
Documentary Requirements
All import documentation must be given completely and accurately. Any defalcation can cause major problems, risking delays or seizure of goods. It is also recommended the services of a competent customs broker. Documents may include commercial invoice, certificate of origin, bill of lading, packaging list and special certificates.
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