Here is some useful advice to help you clear customs when exporting to the USA.
Provide specific detailed information about exactly what the goods are and their specific function, which can be easily understood. For example, rubber drive belt for household laundry washing machine. Be clear about:
Avoid using generic terms such as spare parts, machine parts, samples, gifts, food products, or only part numbers
Over US$800 require gender, fabric composition, knit or woven detail, manufacturer's name & address or MID Code is required.
Over US$800 requires a Footwear Declaration CF5523 or equivalent source of information. Requires material content (uppers and soles), construction (how sole attached), type (sportswear, etc.), gender, and other specifics (e.g. boot height, protective steel toe cap).
Import requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which includes foods, drinks, drugs, medical devices/equipment, some kitchenware, cookware, utensils, drinking vessels, beauty & healthcare products, eyewear, blood, serum or other bodily by-products, microwaves and CD players.
All FDA entries will now need:
Depending upon the nature of the product, additional information will be required, including but not limited to:
Laptops require Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data either in an FCC form 740 or added to the invoice. Also needs to state whether the laptop has an internal or external hard drive.
Other electronic items (which emit any radio frequency) requiring FCC information require FCC data either in an FCC form 740 or added to the invoice. e.g. Mobile phones, modems, computers/equipment, radios, televisions, CD/DVD players. Digital video cameras should be distinguished from digital still image cameras.
Food additives, cosmetics, paint, ink (including pens), powders, detergents, oil and liquids require a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) form, which requires authorisation from the receiver in the USA for you to compete. Please also consider TNT’s hazardous/dangerous goods requirements for shipping.
Require Artwork Declaration or Antique Statement.
If over US$800, requires composition of strap & case, type of movement, power source, number of jewels, country of origin, value of each part.
Must be consigned to US Licenced distributor, ATF permit and label approval required for commercial (excluding samples).
Items assembled outside the US with US components require the value of the US components prior to assembly, the value of foreign components, and the value of the assembly.
If over US$800, complete description required. Bearing type (i.e. Ball/roller/combination/housed/plain shaft) and bearing size.
If shipping to a Fulfilment Centre in the US who does not serve as the Importer Of Record and either of the following two conditions are met,
a) total value over US$800, and/or
b) any goods subject to US Partner Government Agency (PGA) clearance,then the shipper must arrange their own bond prior to shipping.
The US Fulfilment Centre should be able to advise you whether they serve as the Importer Of Record. Example PGA’s include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Shipments arriving in the USA without a Power of Attorney (POA) and bond arrangement will be immediately returned back to the shipper at their expense.
To obtain a bond with FedEx Trade Networks (FTN):
1. Contact Ftn_bond@ftn.fedex.com to obtain a Power Of Attorney (POA) form.
2. Submit POA to FTN.
3. Agree to bond fee – minimum $60 for a single transaction bond (STB) or $500 annually for a continuous bond (CB)
4. Obtain the approved bond through the FTN Bond team.
Complete description required; i.e. monolithic, hybrid, DRAM, SRAM, bit size, if over US$800.
If over $US800, complete description required including, populated/unpopulated, flexible/rigid. Are they impregnated with plastic? What is the base made of? How many conducting layers?
Prescription glasses/contact lenses for personal use require prescription. Eyeglasses/sunglasses and contact lenses require a Drop Ball statement.
CITES may be required. e.g. Furs, skins (including exotic leathers), ivory, mother of pearl, feathers and some shells.
Complete description of goods and name of recipient for each gift - maximum duty-free value of $100 per recipient.
Requires type, metal content, any gemstone details and individual values. Rubies/jadeite also require origin (mine where extracted) and the name of a knowledgeable representative of the exporter.
Due to additional duties on steel and aluminium imports, there is a requirement to detail specific types of metals being shipped, rather than simply ‘metal’.
Commercial sale but items for the personal use of the importer. Can be new or used, but must be new to the importer (e.g. Online marketplace purchase.) Duty free only up to maximum value of US$800.
RadDec (FD2877) required for items including the following: Cathode ray tubes, computer monitors, microwave ovens, CD/DVD players, lasers, laser projectors, laser scanners, televisions, radios, VCR's, x-ray machines and ultrasonic devices.
(a) After processing - Value of repairs/alterations, country where processed, value before repair/alteration (market value).
(b) American goods returned - Country of Origin on invoice, indicate whether sold or not sold, signed and titled CF3311 or signed & titled Manufacturer's Affidavit, or a signed & titled shipper’s declaration on the invoice or other page.
(a) Marked - Requires "marked samples not for resale" on invoice, refer to textiles section if relevant. Not duty-free; subject to the same requirements as non-sample textiles.
(b) Mutilated - Requires "mutilated samples not for resale" on invoice, refer to textiles if relevant. Fabric samples max 8" x 8". Holes must be at least 2 inches in diameter.
Highway Safety Form 7 (HS7) required (or equivalent information on invoice) for items including, airbags & seat belts, brake fluid, brake hoses, indicators, reflectors, tyres & wheels, bumpers, child restraint systems, helmets, glazing materials (glass, headlamps, lighting), high-mounted brake lights, compressed natural gas (CNG) containers and external warning devices including reflective triangles.
Signed video/film declaration CF3291 or equivalent information on signed commercial invoice, if over US$2,500.
Requires "Personal Effects" indicated on invoice, a specific description of the goods, form CF3299. (Duty free when released, with no value limit.)
Our experts are on hand to answer any questions you have about exporting to the USA.