You need a bond to import
Import, Export & Customs in the United States
Importing commercially into the United States requires an importer of record and, in practice, a customs bond.
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The importer of record carries the liability
Someone must be the importer of record for every commercial entry, responsible for classification, valuation, duty and compliance — and a customs bond is required to secure that liability. A foreign seller can act as importer of record only in limited circumstances, which is why many overseas businesses form a US entity specifically to take that role. Getting this wrong means goods sitting at the port.
- Importer of record role settled before the first shipment
- Bond and classification arranged properly
- Additional tariff exposure checked by origin
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What is required
Bringing goods into the United States
The bond and the classification are the core.
| Element | Position |
|---|---|
| Importer of record | Required for every commercial entry. |
| Customs bond | Required in practice to secure duty and penalties. |
| Classification | Determines duty; the importer is responsible for it. |
| Additional tariffs | Apply to goods of certain origins. |
| Agency requirements | Food, drugs, devices and other goods face extra rules. |
| Export controls | Apply to certain technology and destinations. |
Tariff schedules, additional duties by origin, agency requirements and export control rules are set by federal authorities and change frequently. Your goods and origins are checked against current rules. We handle US formation and compliance set-up and co-ordinate with US tax, regulatory or litigation counsel where advice is needed. We do not give US tax or legal advice.
How it works
Setting up to import
Decide who imports, then classify.
01
Settle the importer of record
Whether a US entity is needed to take that role, which for many overseas sellers is the reason to form one.
02
Classify and bond
Classification confirmed, duty and any additional tariffs established, and a customs bond arranged.
03
Ship and comply
Entries filed through a broker, agency requirements met and records retained to the required standard.
- Product list with full descriptions
- Classification where known
- Countries of manufacture
- Whether any inputs come from tariff-affected origins
- Expected import volumes and values
- Whether goods are food, drugs or devices
- Whether goods are regulated by any agency
- Whether you will be the importer of record
- Whether a US entity exists to act as importer
- Freight and broker arrangements
- Whether goods will be re-exported
- Whether any technology is export controlled
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Importer of record structuring
- Entity formation where needed to act as importer
- Classification guidance
- Customs bond arrangement co-ordination
- Additional tariff exposure assessment by origin
- Agency requirement identification
- Broker co-ordination
- Record retention guidance
Not included, quoted separately
- Customs duties and additional tariffs, paid at cost
- Customs bond premiums
- Customs broker charges
- Freight, shipping and insurance
- Product testing and agency approvals
- Binding classification rulings, quoted separately
- Export control classification and licensing
- Penalties for earlier entries
Verify independently
Relevant US authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
US Customs and Border ProtectionFederal Trade CommissionOccupational Safety and Health AdministrationState alcoholic beverage control boardsCounty assessors and recordersState attorneys general
Questions
US import and export — FAQs
What is an importer of record?
The party legally responsible for the entry — classification, valuation, duty and compliance. Every commercial import needs one.
Can I be the importer of record from overseas?
Only in limited circumstances, which is why many overseas sellers form a US entity specifically to take the role.
Why do I need a customs bond?
It secures the duties and potential penalties on your entries. In practice commercial importing is not possible without one.
Do additional tariffs apply to my goods?
They apply to goods of certain origins and can be substantial. We check by origin, including where components come from a tariff-affected country.
What about exporting from the US?
Certain technology, software and destinations are controlled, and the rules apply regardless of value. If your products might be affected we flag it for specialist advice.
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