Importing goods into the United States involves navigating various regulations, permits, and inspections governed by multiple government agencies. Knowing which commodities require special permits and approvals can help ensure smooth customs clearance. Here is a comprehensive guide to the key categories of regulated commodities and their associated requirements. 1. Agriculture, [...]
If you're a small business owner looking to expand by importing goods into the USA, you know that dealing with paperwork can feel overwhelming. We understand the struggle—wrestling with a stack of documents, worrying that one tiny mistake could derail your shipment. This guide breaks down the essential documents you [...]
As we enter 2025, the incoming administration has signaled its intent to reassess trade policies, potentially resulting in broad tariff increases. Importers across all industries may feel the impact, with higher costs affecting supply chains and overall profitability. Now is the time to take proactive steps to prepare and mitigate these [...]
HS Codes are the foundation of international trade, providing a standardized method for classifying and identifying imported and exported goods. It is a series of numbers that provides detailed information about a product’s type, material, and purpose. The system helps customs officials, shipping companies, and traders maintain communication around the [...]
Small businesses often struggle with trade compliance, which may not be the most exciting part of running a company. U.S. borders see millions of goods travel through them every day, along with all the strict regulations every business must follow. U.S. Customs and Border Protection collected $100 billion in duties, taxes, and fees in [...]
Impact on US Imports and Accessibility Challenges The closure of the Port of Baltimore due to the Key Bridge collapse presents significant challenges for US imports, particularly those destined for the East Coast. As one of the largest ro-ro ports in the United States, Baltimore handles a substantial portion of [...]
Relief could soon be coming from the Section 301 tariffs thanks to the forward progress of a case filed with the Court of International Trade in 2020. The tariffs are affecting hundreds of billions of dollars worth of certain US products imported from China. If the case is successful, importers [...]
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will be adjusting the customs user fees corresponding to the Consolidated Ombinus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) by 18.629% to adjust for inflation. The fee adjustments were mandated by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act.) The adjusted fees will [...]
Agricultural commodity importers will soon have a more convenient way of searching up the import requirements for vegetables, seeds, cut flowers, greenery, and more. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has developed a new database called Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR). ACIR is [...]
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Customs Border Protection (CBP) are taking action on the importation of bananas, plantains, pears, and avocados in accordance with pest mitigation regulations. If you’re an importer of any of these fruit products, read on to learn if the [...]
