From: "Saved by Internet Explorer 11" Subject: Getting your China products through U.S. Customs: The 101 Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2016 09:02:47 -0800 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; type="text/html"; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0032_01D23A68.0AD42210" X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0032_01D23A68.0AD42210 Content-Type: text/html; charset="utf-8" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.globalsources.com/NEWS/SIC-getting-your-china-products-through-u-s-customs-the-101.HTM =EF=BB=BF
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Path: Sourcing News & = Advice=20 >> Smart=20 Sourcing >> Getting your China = products=20 through U.S. Customs: The 101
By Emily Lawson
If=20 you are importing products from China you need to do your homework to = make sure=20 your incoming shipments into the United States comply with U.S. Customs = laws and=20 regulations. Compliance with U.S. Customs laws and regulations is = critical in=20 avoiding your shipments being detained or seized, and/or penalties = assessed.=20 Common issues importers of products from China typically face include = the=20 following:
=E2=80=A2 = Not determining=20 proper classification and duty rate for products.=20 If you plan to import and sell on a Delivered Duty Paid basis, you = should=20 consider customs duties in your costs and that means you should know all = of your=20 applicable duty rates before you import. Also certain products are = subject to=20 high antidumping or countervailing duties in addition to regular customs = duties,=20 which may be as high as 300%.
=E2=80=A2 = Failing to mark the=20 product with the country of origin of manufacture.=20 Generally goods of foreign origin for import into the U.S. or immediate=20 containers of the goods must be marked legibly and in a conspicuous = location=20 with the country of origin in English. Failure to do so accurately can = result in=20 civil and even possibly criminal penalties.
=E2=80=A2 = Not properly marking=20 wood packing material.=20 All wood packing material for products imported into the U.S. must be = properly=20 treated and marked prior to shipping. Failure to meet the treatment and = marking=20 requirements may cause shipments to be delayed and penalties = issued.
=E2=80=A2 = Failing to provide=20 complete commercial invoices.=20 Customs regulations provide that specific data must be included on the=20 commercial invoice for U.S. Customs purposes, including a detailed = description=20 of the merchandise, and correct value information. Omission of this = information=20 may result in improper declaration to U.S. Customs at the time of import = and=20 expose you to penalties.
=E2=80=A2 = Failing to meet=20 other U.S. Government agency requirements.=20 Goods imported for sale in the U.S. must satisfy the same legal = requirements as=20 those goods manufactured in the United States. U.S. Customs enforces the = laws of=20 other agencies in the U.S., including, the Food and Drug Administration, = the=20 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and the Environmental = Protection=20 Agency, in addition to others. Therefore, if toys, for example, are = exported to=20 the U.S., detailed CPSC requirements, including for testing, must be met = prior=20 to export.
=E2=80=A2 = Distribution of many=20 trademarked and copyrighted items.=20 Items which are trademarked and copyrighted are restricted by = contractual=20 agreements that give exclusive rights to specific companies to = distribute the=20 product in the U.S. Imports of improperly trademarked or copyrighted = items can=20 be seized at the U.S. border and can subject you as the importer to=20 penalties.
Taking=20 the time to identify the required U.S. Customs laws and regulations for = the=20 products to be shipped to the U.S. from China will help you maintain = seamless=20 delivery of your merchandise to U.S. customers and avoid civil and = criminal=20 penalty exposure.
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Emily=20 Lawson helps Harris & Moure clients achieve import and trade = compliance and defends their interests before government trade agencies = and=20 courts. Emily was an attorney in the Office of the Chief Counsel for = Import=20 Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. Her working experience in=20 international trade matters includes Customs compliance, antidumping,=20 countervailing duties (AD/CVD) and matters related to economic sanctions = and=20 U.S. export controls compliance.
Read more Sourcing=20 News & Advice