Importing Goods from China to the U.S.

China has been the country of choice for many kinds of imported goods for quite some time. This trend shows no sign of abating. Good news is that the export/import business is in an era of growth, and there is ample opportunity for everyone to get involved in it.
China is a popular choice for importers due to the fact that Chinese manufactured products are available in the U.S. as well as online at a substantial price increase.

You must pay close attention to all tariffs and regulations. A mistake here could result in heavy penalties or delays to shipping — so be careful! The requirements for you as an Importer can vary depending upon the type of commercial goods that you are looking to import into the U.S.

Below are the key points you should know in order to import products from China.

1. Make sure you choose the right commercial goods to import and that it is legal.

Only in rare cases can you choose a product not conforming to regulations. The majority of the time, however, the product will be acceptable. Check the U.S. importing guidelines as well as China’s export laws to make sure that you made the right decision.

2. Order your documentation

Start by identifying which permits and/or licenses you might need. Some licenses and permits may not be required in all cases. You will need to apply for them through different U.S. government departments. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) website provides more information on licensing requirements for each type of product that is importing from China to USA.

You should wait for your request to be accepted before placing your order for import.

3. Assess if you might need some assistance

Although being an independent importer can be very entrepreneurial, you must be able identify the areas in your business that will require outside assistance.

A customs broker can help make importation much easier. A broker helps you to communicate more effectively with the government, understand the regulations, and even complete the paperwork.

4. Send your Importer Safety Filing (ISF/10+2)

This document is used to provide information about your shipment, including the date and time of receipt. It is important to remember that this document must be filed within one day of your shipment leaving the port. This document must be filed before your shipment leaves the port. Otherwise, you could be fined a lot. Check out the CBP site for more information.

5. You may also need to file other import documents

Once your commercial goods have reached the destination port, you only have five days to submit documentation. CBP must accept them before you file any other documents. These documents include: A bill of lading, packing list, commercial invoice, certificate of origin and delivery form.

6. Time to arrange pick-up

Congratulations! You have successfully imported your goods from China. You will now need to arrange for your goods to be picked up by a commercial freight company.

This is not something to be afraid of! While it can be difficult to understand at first, it is well worth the effort to learn the process of moving goods to and from China and clearing U.S. customs.

It can be a very profitable venture. If you do it right and follow all the rules, you will be able to build your business and import goods with ease.