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No matter what country you’re from, products are regulated by your government. Anything you’re trying to import will have duties and taxes attached to it. If you don’t do it properly, you run the risk of receiving fines, being slapped with penalties, or even having your entire shipment seized by customs.
But trust us — this doesn’t have to be a daunting process. If you’re intimidated by it, you’re certainly not alone. (see video below)Let’s break it down:
Know the product classification.
This is the first step towards a successful importing experience. Don’t rely solely on your manufacturer to know the nuances of tariff code classifications for you. As the importer, it’s up to you to know exactly how your product should be classified. Customs brokers should be very detailed about exactly how your product is categorized, but if they’re not, you’ll need to be able to give a detailed explanation of what tax code applies to your product and why.
Taking the time to thoroughly understand this for yourself could actually save you money. By really honing in on what tax codes apply to your product, you can avoid paying more than you need to… and who knows, maybe your product will actually fall under the “duty free” classification!
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Connect with a customs broker.
A smooth importing process all comes down to being aligned with the right people. Because of this, interviewing customs brokers is not an uncommon occurrence. Customs brokers will be local to your area, and a simple internet search usually yields enough results to get you started. A few important questions to ask in your initial interview include:
- Have you ever imported {your product} before?
- What would you classify {your product} as?
- Tell me more about your experience importing {your product} in the past?
- What agencies and ports do you have the most experience with?
If they have little to no experience importing your product, chances are you will be doing most of the work!
Are you working with a logistics company?
If you’re working with a logistics company who has their own broker, start asking questions about their broker right away. Make sure you connect with that person, and if you don’t think they’re a good fit, let the logistics company know you will be using a different broker and initiate the interview process we discussed above.
Products to avoid.
Just a last note about avoiding importing headaches. Here’s a list of products we strongly recommend avoiding, especially if you’re a new seller.
- Weapons of any kind
- Drugs or pharmaceuticals
- Wildlife
- Food products
- Artisan products from other countries
- Any animal byproducts, especially elephant tusks and turtle shells
U.S. Customs has been really cracking down in the last few years, and the importing process for these products is typically very tedious and expensive.
If you are interested in importing a product that falls into one of the categories above, make sure you (1) contact your customs broker and make sure you fully understand the requirements you must fulfill and (2) research all local laws in your state, as specific states can have their own regulations on these types of products.
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