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Keep the following questions in mind before you buy something from a foreign source. - Can the goods be legally imported? Are there restrictions on, or special forms required, for your purchase's importation?
- Are you buying the item(s) for your personal use or for commercial purposes?
- Will you be responsible for shipping costs? If so, you should discuss with the seller how your purchase will be shipped. The choices are freight, courier service or international postal service. If you're not careful, transportation and handling costs could far outweigh the cost of your purchase. Sometimes, the seemingly cheaper methods can be more expensive in the long run because they are more susceptible to theft, misdeliveries and logistical problems. You should discuss with the seller what the exact delivery arrangements will be. If the seller does not make arrangements for postal or door-to-door delivery, you will either need to hire a customs broker to clear your goods and forward them on to you, or go the port of entry and clear them yourself.
- Can you trust the seller to provide accurate information about the item being shipped in the Customs section of the shipping documents? Giving misleading or inaccurate information about the nature of the item and its value is illegal. And it is the importer - YOU - who could face legal action and fines for this violation!
The following is a brief primer on the various factors that can impact the clearance of your goods through CBP. Follow the links for more detailed information.
If your goods are valued at more than $2000, or for commercial textile shipments (clothes/materials) regardless of value, you will be required to file a formal entry, which can require extensive paperwork and the filing of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bond. As mentioned above and for various reasons, CBP may require a formal entry for any importation. CBP, however, rarely exercises this right unless there is a particular concern about the circumstances surrounding an importation. Because filing a formal entry can be complicated, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends importers consider hiring a customs broker to complete the transaction. Lists of brokers can be found on the port pages of CBP web site. One of the most difficult things about filing formal entries is accurately identifying the correct classification number of the item being imported. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) lists classification numbers for every conceivable item under the Sun. The HTSUS is the size of an unabridged dictionary, and specialists train for months to learn how to correctly classify goods. The classification number of an item determines many requirements pertaining to that item's importation such as it's duty rate, eligibility for special import programs like the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) or the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and whether or not the item is subject to quota restrictions. Failure to correctly classify an item can result in fines and/or delays in delivery. You may write to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a binding ruling, and/or contact an import specialist at your local port for help to identify the proper classification number for your imported item.
Cleared and Delivered is a licensed customs broker that can clear your imports through any port in the United States. We streamline the clearance and delivery process on behalf of companies large and small.
A customs broker is a valuable partner in the workings of any import intensive business. The customs broker has the legal authority and knowledge to recognize very detailed classifications of your goods, and the respective tariffs associated with such.
The customs broker also recognizes and produces a variety of legally binding documents needed to import goods into the U.S.
Customs brokers have a close relationship with the Dept. of Homeland Security/ U.S. Treasury / U.S. Customs Service. to obtain legal rights for your goods to enter into the United States.
Customs clearance is required for ALL imports into the U.S. regardless if they are duty free or not.
Customs brokers also file bonds for goods that temporarily leave and then re enter the United States. These are called carnets.
Having a professional customs broker working on your behalf can make your importing business more efficient and more profitable.
Types of Customs Entries
T&E Entry – Transportation and Export: Goods shipped under U.S. Customs bond from a U.S. Port of Entry to a second U.S. Customs port for export to a third country.
VST&E – Vessel Transportation and Export: This is a specialized U.S. Customs bond intended for a foreign vessel which will be immediately leaving the USA.
Warehouse Entry- This entry is for goods entering the USA under bond to temporarily store goods in a warehouse without paying duties and/or taxes.
Informal Entry- This type of entry is performed for shipments valued under $2,000 USD. (Some commodities are restricted to on an informal entry, regardless of the value.)
Consumption Entry- Designed for shipments entering the U.S.A. with a value over $2,000 USD.
TIB- Temporary Import Bond: Goods entering USA temporarily and intended for re-export to the originating county. Some restrictions do apply.
4455- Certificate of Registration: We also prepare this U.S. Customs document which is intended for foreign shipment exporting from the U.S.A. and then intended for return to the U.S.A.
IT Entries- Immediate Transit: Goods shipped under U.S. bond directly from initial Port of Entry into the USA to a second U.S. Customs port. Note: Restriction: The Car*rier must hold a Bond with U.S. Customs.
Q: I have never imported before, is it difficult?
Yes and No, importing is difficult if you don’t use a professional customs broker. Cleared and Delivered makes imports simple by streamlining the process into a few easy steps and doing all the work for you. Thus, people who use Cleared and Delivered find importing easy and affordable.
Q: Do I need to have a license to import products?
No, but you do need to use a licensed Customs broker. Cleared and Delivered is a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder who can easily clear your freight and deliver it to its ultimate destination.
Q: Where does Cleared and Delivered operate?
Cleared and delivered is licensed to clear goods anywhere within the continental United States. We are hooked up to the US Customs EDI program which enables remote customs entry to any port. We are able to handle all imports coming into the USA and deliver them to their final destination.
Q: What is a customs broker and what do they do?
Customs brokers are licensed to act as agents for commercial companies importing goods to the USA. Customs brokers provide release instructions to US Customs as well as other government departments to permit the flow of imported goods. Customs brokers classify the goods according to the current US Tariff to apply duties and taxes owing to US Customs. With the constantly changing rules and regulations, employing a customs broker makes good business sense.
Q: Is Cleared and Delivered able to deliver my goods?
Yes, we are a fully licensed freight forwarder that can pick up and deliver your goods on your behalf.
Q: Should I call or fill out a form?
You should click “Clear My Freight” if you have a shipment and all the info ready to go and it will need Clearance upon arrival. Please call if you are in the process of importing but confused about what to do.
Q: When should I NOT call?
Cleared and Delivered provides its toll free number for the convenience of customers who fully intend to use our service. If you are simply looking to learn about imports or the business in general, there are many resources available on the Novice Section of our site as well as on the rest of the web. Our phone service is very personalized, if you call, please be serious about importing.
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