Imports must be approved by Customs before they are allowed into the U.S.
Whenever goods are imported into the U.S., they must be inspected and approved for entry by the U.S. Customs Servicing. Federal laws administer if or not goods are approved for entry, depending on a amount of factors including the sphere of the imported info, the intended capitalization and the state of origin.
Process
An importer may transfer goods into the U.S. for both personal and career adoption. When the goods arrive, the importer must declare them to Customs whether he is travelling with them. Whether not, customs Testament contemplate the goods at the Harbour of entry, and it is up to the deliverer to inform the importer that the goods keep arrived. At customs, the goods Testament be inspected, appraised, classified and Last of all released back to the importer or deliverer, if that customs approves of the import. All goods are mortal to an import tribute or profession, unless specifically exempted by Federal code. Additionally, although U.S. Customs does not desire any import licenses, Customs Testament uphold licence requirements from other U.S. agencies for trustworthy kinds of goods.
Duties
The prices of federal duties vary according to the vastness and information imported. Customs reserves the true to the decide Ending equivalent of goods and of office prices. Typically, duties are calculated as a percentage of the complete profit of the imported goods.
Surety Bonds
Imports valued at extra than $2,000 must undergo formal entry wrapped up U.S. This includes a figure indicating the genuine of the carrier to import goods, a commercial bill proving the sale and cost of the merchandise, packing lists cataloguing materials to be imported, an Entry/Prompt Delivery configuration (Customs form 3461) and an Entry Manifest (form 7533).
Informal Entry
Certain personal imports, commercial shipments and mail shipments may be imported into the U.S informally. Informal entry means that no surety bond is necessary, unless paperwork needs to be filled out, and duties tend to be less expensive. As expanded as an importer has a surety bond on goods, then he may collect imported shipments before forming occupation and impost payments.Documents
Moreover to surety bonds, imports valued at over $2,000 must be accompanied by undeniable forms. Customs. These imports must be accompanied by a surety bond, which as an insurance policy in the circumstance that duties are not paid or an import does not accommodated customs requirements. Surety bonds can be purchased from insurance companies authorized by the federal Treasury Branch.
In order for an import to qualify for informal entry, it must be valued at less than $2,000 and must be intended for use or sale.
Restricted Goods
Generally, there are certain goods that always require a license from government agencies in order to be imported through Customs. Licenses/permits are often required for the importation of animals and animal products, plants and plant products, weaponry and ammunition, alcohol and petroleum. The U.S. Council for International Business reports on the specific import license requirements on these goods.
Foreign Assets
Federal law prohibits the import of any goods from certain countries, including Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Serbia, and Sudan, according to U.S. Customs. Additionally, any materials that originated from terrorist organizations or narcotics traffickers are prohibited from importation into the U.S.