International Resource Center

United States Country Profile

• Country Information
• Trade Group Member
• General Import Clearance Information
• United States Import Prohibitions
• General Import Restrictions
• United States Import Restrictions
• Special Import Provisions
• Personal Effects
• Samples
• Gifts
• Standards
• General Export Clearance Information
• United States Export Prohibitions
• General Export Restrictions
• United States Export Restrictions
• Regulatory Contact Information

AFTA, the North America Free Trade Agreement, provides for the elimination or progressive reduction of tariffs between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The exemption or reduced tariff is applicable only to goods qualified under the agreement as originating goods.

The US-Chile, US-Singapore, and US-Australia, US-Bahrain, US-Oman, US-Morocco, and Domincan Republic-Central America-US  Free Trade Agreements provides reduced duty or duty free entry for qualified products from Chile, Singapore, Australia, Bahrain, Oman, Morocco, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador. Numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements such as the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (formerly the Multi-fiber Agreement) are grouped under the umbrella of the WTO, the World Trade Organization, the successor to the GATT (General Agreement on Tariff and Trade). The WTO oversees most global trade in goods and services as negotiated in the various agreements; it also provides arbitration in case of disputes. MFN or Most Favored Nation tariff treatment is accorded to all countries who have ratified the WTO as well as to the other previous GATT members who have yet to ratify the accord.

The U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement provides duty-free entry for qualified products imported directly from Israel.

CBI, the Caribbean Basin Initiative (also known as the CBERA, the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act), provides duty-free entry for qualified products imported directly from Caribbean nations.

ATPA, the Andean Trade Preference Act, provides duty-free entry of eligible goods imported directly from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

CBTPA, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, provides for reduced or free duty on qualified products imported directly from CBTPA beneficiary countries.

AGOA, the African Growth Opportunity Act, provides for reduced or free duty on qualified products imported directly from AGOA beneficiary countries.

The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement provides for reduced or free duty on qualified products imported directly from Jordan.

FAS, Compact of Free Association, provides for duty-free entry for eligible goods directly imported to the U.S. from Palau, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora provides for the seizure of shipments prohibited under this agreement and the assessment of fines.

Under the U.S. Generalized System of Preference or GSP, duty-free entry is allowed for direct importation into the U.S. of eligible goods from designated developing countries. At the current time, the GSP has expired but is under consideration for an extension by the U.S. Government.

APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation is considering the progressive elimination of tariffs among the Pacific Rim members (Brunei, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A.)

Clearance Process


There are over 200 approved ports of entry throughout the United States. A list of entry ports is available in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 19 Part 101.3.


Information on U.S import and export regulations is available in the Code of Federal Regulations with more recent updates appearing in the Federal Register (available on the internet at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/). Although Title 15 (Foreign Trade) and Title 19 (Customs Duties) contain regulations that apply to most or all exports, many other Titles contain import and export requirements that are associated with specific regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


The U.S. government has several internet sites that provide general information on import and export requirements. For information on export licensing, you should visit the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) website at www.bis.doc.gov. For information on trade agreements, import requirements, or trade contacts you should visit the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website (www.cbp.gov), the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration website (www.ita.doc.gov) or the U.S. International Trade Commission website (www.usitc.gov).

Document Requirements
 

Air Waybill - An air waybill serves as evidence to make entry for importations by a common carrier.

Commercial Invoice - Required for most shipments. It must be in English or accompanied by a translation furnished by a party who is knowledgeable of the transaction. Required details include: a detailed description of the goods; quantity; currency and purchase price or fair market value; name and amount of other charges and rebates such as freight, insurance, commission, packing, assists. Specific invoice details are required for importation of a number of commodities including the following:

For audio/video cassettes and tapes, the length and width of the tape, a brief synopsis of content and the reason for exportation.

For textiles (unless provided on the textile declaration), the fabric breakdown, whether knit or woven and for clothing articles, the gender.

For watches, the value and origin of each of the components (i.e., movement, strap, case and battery).

For marked/mutilated samples, the words "mutilated samples: 9811.00.60: or "marked samples, not for resale" as applicable.

For FDA shipments, the Product manufacturer name and address (the name and address of originating shipper, the country where the goods were last processed, the method used to make or process the product, the kind of packing material in contact with the product and the FDA product code.

Commercial Invoice Statements - A number of commodities require that a particular statement be provided on the invoice or on a separate form. Some commodities are eligible for preferential treatment (reduced duty) when the appropriate statement or declaration is provided. Among the most common statements are:

Film and Video Certificate - The Certificate In Connection With the Importation of Films and Videos or Antipornographic Statement is required for imports of films and videos. The statement can be written on the invoice provided the specific wording of the standard form (CF 3291) is used.

TSCA Statement - The Toxic Substance Control Act statement is required for the importation of any chemical shipments and any materials in primary form such as paint, dye, stain, raw rubber and raw metal. It must be provided by the importer.

Quota Charge Statement (QCS) - A QCS is required for the importation of shipments that contain textiles or clothing from a country that is subject to textile quotas imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce. (When a quota allocation is sold in the origin country, the cost is considered a quota charge.) Several versions of the statement are used depending on whether a quota charge was paid, and if so, whether the amount is included in the unit price or is not known. The statement can be provided on the invoice by either the exporter or the importer.

Artwork Statement - The artwork statement is required for duty-free entry of original works of art such as sculptures, etchings, engravings, and lithographs.

Antique Statement - A Certificate of Antiquity, or a similar statement on the invoice, is required to claim duty-free entry of goods over 100 years old. The statement must include the words "circa date" followed by the year of manufacture whether known or estimated.

Destination Control Statement - The exporter must include this statement on all copies of the invoice, waybill and export control documents unless the ECCN of the goods is EAR99 or the shipments is eligible for and exported under particular license exceptions.

Carnet - The ATA carnet is a document that may be used instead of the usual Customs documentation for the temporary duty-free entry of professional equipment, commercial samples and advertising material. The carnet is issued by the country of origin and is valid for one year. It must be validated by Customs upon import and re-export.

Certificate of Origin or Age - Certain goods (textiles, wine, distilled spirits) require a certificate as a condition of import. A Certificate of Origin may also be required to substantiate claims for preferential treatment of eligible goods. Some trade agreement or regulations require that the exporter complete the Certificate (others allow it to be completed by the importer or another knowledgeable party) and require that the Certificate be notarized and be validated by a government agency or chamber of commerce.

Several certificate of origin versions exist. Among the most commonly used for US shipments are:

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Certificate of Origin

CBTPA (Caribbean Basin Trade Preference Act) Certificate of Origin

• AGOA (African Growth Opportunity Act) Textile Certificate of Origin
  
  
• U.S./Israel Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin*
  
  
• Certificate of Origin (for general use)*
  
  
• *Both the general use Certificate and the US-Israel Certificate must be notarized and require a signature and seal from a Chamber of Commerce. The FedEx Regulatory Consulting Group (phone# 800-851-3336) can provide both to U.S. exporters for a reasonable fee.
  
  

• Permits/Declarations - Permits or Declarations are required for importation and/or exportation of particular commodities that are subject to regulatory by certain agencies including the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) and FWS (Fish and Wildlife Service.) Import Licenses or permits are required for the following:
  
  
• FDA Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments and Registration of Food Facility
  
  
• FDA must receive Prior Notice of food imported into the U.S. for human and animal consumption.  The Prior Notice requires additional data elements and must be submitted electronically to FDA no more than five days before arrival and no fewer than four hours before arrival by air and two hours by land. For exceptions and more information, please visit Food and Drug Administration available at www.fda.gov/oc/bioterrorism/bioact.html
  
  
• All domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack, and hold food for human or animal consumption in the U.S. must be registered with FDA prior to shipping.  Foreign facilities are also required to designate a U.S. agent for registration purposes to act as liaison between FDA and the facility for both routine and emergency communications. For exceptions and more information, please visit Food and Drug Administration available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/~furls/ovffreg.html
  
  
• Cheese and cheese products (import license from USDA)
  
  
• Milk and cream (import permit from FDA and USDA)
  
  
• Plants and plant products (import permit from USDA; also FDA for fruits, vegetables and nuts)
  
  
• Livestock and animals and parts of (permit from APHIS) imports are restricted to "quarantine" ports
  
  

• Poultry and related products (import permits from FDA and USDA) exemption applies to imports from Canada
  
  
• Firearms, ammunitions and explosives (import license from BATF)
  
  
• Radioactive materials and nuclear reactors (import license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or from FDA if intended for Medical use)
  
  
• Biological drugs (import license from FDA, from USDA, if for animal use)
  
  
• Biological materials such as virus, serum, toxins (permit from U.S. Public Health Service)
  
  
• Liquor and other alcoholic beverages (BATF import permit and certificate of label approval granted to licensed dealers only).
  
  
• FCC 740 Statement Regarding the Importation of Radio Frequency Devices Capable of Causing Harmful Interference - Under the Federal Communication Commission rules, an FCC 740 form is required for any device or subassembly that sends, receives or is capable of interfering with radio frequencies. Examples include radio transmitters and receivers, tape recorders, stereos, TV's, cordless telephones, microwave, radio controlled security devices such as garage door openers, etc. (Shipments of cordless phones intended for the U.S. commerce require digital security encoding and this should be indicated on the invoice or on the individual packaging.)
  
  
• Invoice Details for Footwear - The footwear invoice, CF 5523, is required for all importations of footwear.
  
  
• Declaration for Products Subject to Radiation Control Standards FDA 2877 - The Food and Drug Administration Form 2877 must be provided by the U.S. importer for shipments which contain radiation producing products (including sonic radiation) such as TV receivers, microwave ovens, X-ray equipment, laser products, ultrasound equipment and other radiation producing electronic devices.
  
  
• Civil Aircraft Certificate - This certificate is required to obtain special duty or duty-free treatment of eligible parts of civil aircraft. (Not all aircraft or their parts are eligible. The U.S. Tariff details which goods are eligible.) It must be filed with U.S. Customs at the district port (for entry at any port within the district) or at the U.S. port of entry.
  
  
• Blanket Certificates - Blanket certificates are certificates that are issued to authorize multiple imports of the same commodity. Blanket certificates may be submitted for FDA2877, for FCC740 as well as for certain preferential forms, the civil aircraft certificate, the textile declaration and footwear statement.
  
  

Customs Valuation
 

The value to declare for Customs purposes is the price paid or payable for the goods.  Any selling commissions, assists, royalties, packing and proceeds must also be factored in and is a part of the value.  Failure to include the above is undervaluing the goods and may result in penalties.

Duty is assessed on the price paid and does not include freight and insurance charges.

All prices in foreign currency must be converted to U.S. dollars to assess duty on the amount.

Import Duties
 

All goods coming into the United States must clear customs and are subject to a customs duty unless specifically exempted from this duty by law. Rates are determined by the classification of goods within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Several rates of duty are possible for each item: "general" rates for most nations; "special" rates (which are lower than the general rates) for goods eligible under special trade programs; and "column 2" rates for imports not eligible for either general or special rates.

Customs duties are usually an "ad valorem" rate (a percentage) that is applied to the value of the imported goods. However, some goods are dutiable at a specific rate of duty (so many cents per piece, kilo, liter, etc.) or are dutiable at a compound rate of duty (a combination of both "ad valorem" and specific rates).

Customs duty is based on the transaction value of the merchandise. Transaction value is the price the buyer actually pays the seller for the goods being imported plus other costs including, but not limited to, packing costs and royalty fees incurred by the buyer.

Antidumping
 

In some circumstances, Customs will assess antidumping duties or countervailing duties in addition to the normal import duties. Antidumping duties are assessed on imported merchandise sold in the U.S. at less than the normal price of the good in the manufacturer's home market (also called fair market value). Countervailing duties are assessed to counter the effects of subsidies provided by the foreign government for merchandise exported to the U.S. resulting in artificially low prices that are detrimental to U.S. industries.

Excise Duties
 

Alcohol and tobacco are subject to excise duties.

Additional Duties
 

Duty/Tax Exemptions

The U.S. exempts certain persons and certain goods from payment of import duties and taxes providing regulatory requirements are met. Some common exemptions include:

• Original works of art, articles for exhibition
  
  
• Sculptures and regalia imported by a public or nonprofit institution for educations, scientific, etc. purposes.
  
  
• Certain goods imported by a religious institution
  
  
• U.S. government importations
  
  
• Gifts providing that the customs value less than $100 per person and they are marked as gifts
  
  
• U.S.-origin goods previously exported and returned in an unaltered condition
  
  
• Goods previously exported for exhibition, trade show use, scientific purposes, etc. that and returned in an unaltered condition to the party who exported them
  
  
• Personal effects (clothing, toilet articles, etc.) owned by the importer and imported for personal use
  
  
• Equipment of groups arriving in the U.S. of goodwill visits (at the request of the Department of State) providing that the equipment will be re-exported or destroyed at the conclusion of the visit.
  
  
• Goods entered temporarily under a carnet or a temporary importation bond (TIB). (Shipments traveling under a Carnet are prohibited via FedEx International Express Services. (Shipments moving under this provision may move via FedEx Airport to Airport Service on an 023 air waybill.)
  
  
• Shipments intended for entry under a TIB must be sent under the Broker Selection Option (BSO) with the name, address and phone number of the importer's customs broker indicated.
  
  

Import Taxes
 

Although the U.S. does not impose a standard federal tax on imported goods, the importer's state government may assess taxes (such as a sales tax). Some goods (such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, etc.) are subject to federal excise or stamp taxes.

Customs Fees
 

A Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is assessed on all formal entries, with a few exceptions. Exceptions include goods that qualify for preferential treatment under certain trade agreements (including but not limited to NAFTA and CBERA) and those entered under special provisions (including but not limited to unaltered U.S.-origin goods and goods of distinguished foreign visitors). The rate of assessment is 0.21%, (.0021) of the "entered" value on the Customs entry. The minimum assessment is $25.00 and the maximum assessment is $485.00.

Fees may be charged by government agencies to cover costs associated with inspections and/or permit and license applications. Please check with the appropriate agency for details.


 

Exchange Controls
 

There are no exchange controls.


 

Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT's)
 

Technical barriers or non-tariff barriers to trade as they are sometimes known, can cause many problems for exporters looking for new markets for their products.  These barriers can be in the form of regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures.  The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade tries to ensure that these barriers do not create unnecessary obstacles.  To obtain further information on Technical Barriers to Trade as well as Notifications on technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, go to the WTO website at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm



 

Consular Fees
 

There are no consular fees.


 

Import Clearance Process
(For exporters shipping goods to the United States and for United States residents and businesses importing goods from other countries.)
The United States requires customs entry for all merchandise that is brought into U.S. customs territory except for goods identified in 19CFR141.4 (which includes articles that were undeliverable in a foreign country and records, diagrams and other data with regard to any business, engineering or exploration operation). Except for goods entering the U.S. in possession of a traveler, customs clearance is usually done electronically through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) program of the Automated Commercial Systems (ACS) by either the importer or by a licensed customs broker on behalf of the importer, purchaser or consignee of a shipment.A

Most shipments are admitted for consumption and are assessed duty and tax upon arrival. (For information on admission for other purposes, see below.) The common types of customs entry are:

• Non-Entry: Permitted for goods listed in General Note 18 of the U.S. Tariff.
  
  
• Informal: Permitted for most goods providing shipment value is less than $2,000.
  
  
• Formal: Required for shipments valued at $2,000 or more and, at a lower value, for shipments containing certain goods. (Some formal entries are called "live" entries because all applicable entry documents and all duties must be presented before Customs will release the goods for delivery. In the case of goods subject to quota, this means that quota processing must be completed also.)
  
  

• a bill of lading (or an air waybill or carrier's certificate)
  
  
• a commercial or pro-forma invoice
  
  
• any other documents necessary to determine merchandise admissibility
  
  
• When applicable, packing lists and other documents such as Certificate of Origin (for special treatment)
  
  

• Department of Agriculture (USDA): Animals, plants and products derived for them or intended for use on animals
  
  
• Food & Drug Administration (FDA): Products intended for human use
  
  
• Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA): Narcotics, chemical precursors, and pill-making and capsule-filling machines.
  
  
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)
  
  
• Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS): Non-domesticated animals and plants (furs, skins, shells, ginseng, etc.)  FedEx will now able to clear shipments of wildlife products at five of our six clearance gateway locations:  Anchorage, Alaska, Newark, New Jersey, Memphis, Tennessee, Miami, Florida, and Oakland, California.  Note:  Wildlife shipments arriving at the port of Indianapolis, Indiana (a non-designated port) will move in-bond to one of our designated clearance locations for proper clearance.  Additional transit time may be required.
  
  
• Department of Transportation (DOT): Motor vehicles and equipment
  
  
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Devices capable of affecting radio frequencies
  
  

The following items are prohibited into the United States of America by law:

• White phosphorus matches
  
  
• Immoral articles (as defined in 19CFR12.40) including films, pictures, writings, etc.
  
  
• Merchandise produced by convict, forced or indentured labor (as defined in 19CFR12.42)
  
  
• Counterfeit coins, stamps, currency or other monetary securities of any government and any plates, dies or apparatus used to create such counterfeits.
  
  
• Switchblade/Balisong/gravity/ballistic knives
  
  
• Merchandise from countries under U.S. Sanction or embargo
  
  
• Articles containing dog or cat fur

The following items are not acceptable for carriage to any international destinations unless otherwise indicated.  (Additional restrictions may apply depending on destination.  Various regulatory clearances in addition to customs clearance may be required for certain commodities, thereby extending the transit time.)

• APO/FPO addresses.
  
  
• C.O.D. shipments.
  
  
• Human corpses, human organs or body parts, human and animal embryos, or cremated or disinterred human remains.
  
  
• Explosives (Class 1.4 explosives are acceptable for carriage to Canada, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.  Note:  United Arab Emirates only allows Class 1.4 explosives to be shipped hold- for- pick-up to the FedEx Express facility in Dubai.)
  
  
• Firearms, weaponry, and their parts (acceptable between the U.S. and Puerto Rico).
  
  
• Perishable foodstuffs and foods and beverages requiring refrigeration or other environmental control.
  
  
• Live animals (including insects) except via our Live Animal Desk (1.800.405.9052).
  
  
• Plants and plant material, including cut flowers (cut flowers are acceptable from the U.S. to selected points in Canada and from Colombia and Ecuador to the U.S.).
  
  
• Lottery tickets and gambling devices where prohibited by local, state, provincial or national law.
  
  
• Money (coins, cash, currency, paper money and negotiable instruments equivalent to cash such as endorsed stocks, bonds and cash letters).
  
  
• Collectible coins and stamps.
  
  
• Pornography.
  
  
• Hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes or other medical waste.
  
  
• Shipments that may cause damage to, or delay of, equipment, personnel or other shipments.
  
  
• Shipments that require us to obtain any special license or permit for transportation, importation or exportation.
  
  
• Shipments whose carriage, importation or exportation is prohibited by any law, statute or regulation.
  
  
• Shipments with a declared value for customs in excess of that permitted for a specific destination. 
  
  
• Dangerous goods except as permitted under the Dangerous Goods section of these terms and conditions.
  
  
• Dead animals (including insects) or animals that have been mounted. 
  
  
• Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odor of any kind.
  
  
• Shipments* being processed under:
  
  

Duty drawback claims unless advance arrangements are made.

Temporary Import Bonds - acceptable under the FedEx International Broker Select option, for initial import only.

U.S. State Department licenses.

Carnets.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration export permit.

Shipments destined to or being withdrawn from a Foreign Trade Zone.

Letters of Credit (however, shipments covered by a Letter of Credit calling for a "Courier Receipt" as defined by Article 29 of UCP 500 may move via FedEx International Priority).

Certificate of Registration shipments (CF4455).

Shipments moving into or out of Foreign Trade Zones or bonded warehouses.

United States Restrictions

The importation of certain products into the United States is restricted in order to protect the economy and safety of the United States and its citizens. The restrictions may be imposed by U.S. Customs, by another U.S. agency which has regulatory authority over a particular product, or by a State government into which the goods will be transported or are consigned. Restrictions include:

• Import quotas
  
  
• Import and/or export permits, license, visas, certificates
  
  
• Labeling and/or marking requirements
  
  
• Inspection
  
  
• Clearance for certain goods being allowed only at certain designated ports
  
  

• Viruses, Serums, Toxins, Anti-Toxins and analogous products
  
  
• Domestic Animal Products and Animal Feeding Material
  
  
• Products derived from Wild Animals, Birds and Insects (furs, eggs, plumage, honey, etc.)
  
  
• Seeds and non-propagating Agricultural Products
  
  
• Non-perishable Foodstuffs (canned goods, etc.)
  
  
• Motor vehicles, Boats and their associated equipment
  
  
• Electronic Products
  
  
• Cultural Property, including Pre-Columbian monumental or architectural sculpture or mural
  
  
• Textiles, Wool and Fur Products
  
  
• Chemical substances (including Fertilizers and Pesticides)
  
  
• Medicine, Medical Devices, Cosmetics
  
  
• Liquors, Alcohol
  
  
• Nuclear/Radioactive Materials
  
  
  

U.S.-origin Goods

The U.S. allows exemption from duty and tax for goods of US origin that have been exported and returned without having been advanced in value or improved in condition. To claim this exemption, the statement  "U.S. Goods returned, HS#9801.00" should be placed on the air waybill and other shipping documents. The foreign exporter and the U.S. importer should be prepared to provide additional documentation, especially if the goods are not clearly marked as U.S. goods.)

Free Zones

There are currently over 200 Free Trade Zones in the U.S.  Most are located near one of the customs ports of entry.  A list of Foreign Trade Zone locations and contacts is available from the Foreign Trade Zones Board website at http://ia.ita.doc.gov/ftzpage

FedEx Clearance Ports

FedEx's major ports of clearance are located in Newark, New Jersey; in Memphis, Tennessee; in Indianapolis, Indiana; in Oakland, California and in Anchorage, Alaska.

Temporary Imports

Not all shipments which arrive in the United States are intended for consumption or to stay permanently. U.S. regulations have special entry provisions and conditions that are available for these other types of shipments. However, because of the special documentation and/or processing required, they may be prohibited by FedEx for importation on FedEx International Express Services or may be acceptable only if the shipment is designated for the Broker Select Option. Clearance delays should be expected.

• Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB): Importers can enter certain classes of goods into U.S. customs territory temporarily free of duty by posting a bond. In the bond the importer agrees to export or destroy the goods within a specified time or pay damages, generally equal to twice the normal duty. Articles entered as TIBs must not be sold within the United States. The importer should co-ordinate arrangements with their customs broker prior to initiating import, destruction, or re-export.
  
  
• Warehouse Entry, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Entry: Goods can be entered in a warehouse or FTZ for various purposes such as storage, manufacturing and other manipulations. Special requirements and documentation exist. For more information, please consult a customs broker.
  
  
• Carnet: Several types of carnet exist. However, they may all used be used as an entry document for the temporary admission of goods. Goods entered on a Carnet must be re-exported under customs supervision and meet all other conditions of the Carnet.
  
  
• Goods returned for Repair, Testing, Experimental Purposes: Goods of non-U.S. origin sent to the U.S. for repair are subject to duty and tax assessment unless entered under a TIB. Goods of U.S. origin are allowed duty and tax free entry under certain conditions. (See section above regarding U.S. origin goods.)
  
  

Personal Effects
 

U.S. residents are entitled to duty and tax free entry of all personal and household goods taken abroad providing they have not been advanced in value or improved in condition. To facilitate duty-free re-entry, items of foreign origin (such as watches, cameras, tape recorders, or other articles which may be readily identified by serial number or permanently affixed marking) may be taken to the nearest Customs office and registered before departure on the Certificate of Registration (CF 4455). The certificate is valid for any future trips as long as the information on it remains legible. (Duty may be assessed on foreign-made personal articles taken abroad each time they are brought back into the US unless there is acceptable proof of prior possession.)

Foreign visitors (non-residents) are also entitled to duty and tax-free entry of personal effects with certain limitations. The goods must have been owned by and in the possession of the non-resident prior to his departure for the United States. They must be intended for the personal use of their owner and not intended as a gift or for resale. Quantity limits apply to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages.

When shipping personal effects to the U.S., the importer should provide the following documents for the sender to include with the shipping documents: a copy of any CF4455's, a completed CF3299 Declaration of Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. The sender should state on the air waybill and other shipping documents that the contents are personal effects.


 

Samples
 

U.S. regulations have special entry provisions and conditions for certain categories of samples. If the samples are intended for temporary importation, please see the Temporary Import section below.

• Duty Exempt: Samples for Soliciting Orders / Mutilated Samples: Samples may be eligible for duty-free entry under the provision HS 9811.00.60. It applies only to merchandise being entered for the solicitation of orders for products of foreign countries. In addition, it requires that the sample be valued at $1 (or less) or that it be marked, torn, perforated, or otherwise treated so that it is unsuitable for sale or for use otherwise than as a sample in its imported condition. Merchandise must have been properly mutilated or marked prior to its importation into the United States. It cannot be mutilated or marked to conform to these requirements after its arrival into the United States. In addition, the invoice must contain the statement "Mutilated samples - 9811.00.60" prior to importation into the United States. This statement cannot be added in the United States.
  
  
• Exempt from Textile Visa / Marked Samples: Textile samples from most countries are exempt from quota and visa requirements if certain conditions are met even though the samples are not exempt from duty, tax, commercial invoice or textile declaration requirements. To qualify, sample shipments may be equal to or less than $800, "Marked Sample Not for Resale" must be stated on the invoice (and air waybill, preferably), and the goods must be marked in accordance with Customs Directive 3500-07. For more information, visit the Customs website.
  
  
  

Gifts
 

Gifts are acceptable:  Duty/Tax free entry allowed for gifts valued up to $100 USD per person (up to $200 USD per person from the US Virgin Islands, Guam or American Samoa).  All gifts must be individually wrapped and marked on the outside as a gift.  The Air Waybill or Invoice must indicate that it is an unsolicited gift, with the name of each person receiving the gift and a value breakdown not to exceed $100 USD per person ($200 USD person from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa).

Shipments of gifts consigned to an individual from a foreign company, ordinarily would not be eligible for treatment as a gift, however, may be allowed if the value requirement is met and the package and the Air Waybill or Invoice indicates this is a gift.  Also, the Invoice or Air Waybill may indicate a person's name and a company name, as long as the documentation indicates this is a gift.

Alcoholic beverages, perfumes containing alcohol, cigars or cigarettes will not be considered for Duty/Tax Free entry.

Caviar requires clearance at a Fish and Wildlife port and a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of  Wild Fauna and Flora) permit is required.

.


                                

Marking / Labeling
All goods of foreign origin must be legibly, indelibly and permanently marked with the English name of the country of origin unless they meet the exception requirements in the regulations. (The requirement generally applies to individual units.) When marking is not feasible, such as when the article is too small or marking would in some way damage the merchandise, then the packaging or container that will reach the ultimate consumer must be marked. Specific requirements on country or origin marking methods and requirements are available in Title 19, Part 134 of the Code of Federal Regulation (19CFR134) (available at www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr).

Certain goods (partial list below) have special packing or marking requirements set by US Customs or by an agency with regulatory control of the goods. For more information, please review 19 CFR 11 and other agency regulations such as 27CFR (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) and 16CFR (Federal Trade Commission) that are applicable.

• Watch, clock and timing apparatus
  
  
• Household appliances
  
  
• Medicinal preparations and perfumery
  
  
• Cigars, cigarettes, manufactured tobacco
  
  
• Distilled spirits, wine and other alcoholic beverages
  
  
• Wool and fur products
  
  
• Textile products
  
  
  
  

Clearance Process
 

Working with Customs officials throughout the world, FedEx has developed innovative technology to eliminate many paperwork-handling steps and expedite the movement of international shipments. This is the FedEx Expressclear electronic Customs clearance system. Starting at the origin, state-of-the-art technology allows the processing of shipment paperwork and electronic transmission of documents to the designated FedEx hub and destination clearance location. The Expressclear system also keeps a database of regulatory information which includes importers numbers, broker designation, corporate contact names and telephone numbers. At a FedEx hub, international shipments are sorted, scanned and loaded onto an international flight. Vital shipment information is keyed into a worldwide manifest database that is linked to computer systems operated by brokers and Customs officials in many countries. Even before the plane has taken off, or while it is in the air, Customs agents and brokers at the destination airport of entry can begin examining shipping manifests, querying air waybill data if they need more details, assessing duties and taxes and selecting which shipments they wish to examine. By the time the plane arrives at his destination, many packages have already been cleared by Customs. As the plane is unloaded, the Expressclear system identifies packages to be examined and prints "cleared" Customs labels for all others. Cleared shipments can be transferred to trucks for immediate delivery. International shipments are scanned at all key points throughout the process and allows for up-to-date status reports including when Customs clearance is obtained.


 

Document Requirements
 

Export Licenses - Specific export licenses are required for commodities subject to export controls. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is the primary licensing agency for dual use exports (commercial items which could have military applications). Other departments and agencies have regulatory jurisdiction and issue licenses for controlled substances and precursor chemicals; for endangered fish and wildlife species; for defense services and articles; for arms and munitions; for nuclear material, equipment and technology; for fuels; for drugs and medical devices. Specific questions pertaining to commodity licensing requirements should be directed to the lead agency.

International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) to require mandatory electronic filing through the Automated Export System (AES) for exports of U.S. Munitions List (USML) hardware using a U.S. port that require the filing of shipper's export information.

There is a mandatory electronic filing via the Automated Export System (AES) of exports of rough diamonds classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 7102.10, 7102.21, and 7102.31.

Shipper's Export Declaration - Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) are required for all shipments leaving the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. possessions with certain exceptions.  (The 2 most common exemptions are for shipments that do not require an export license and are either exported to Canada or, for many other destinations, which contain goods that are valued at $2,500  or less per Schedule B number).

Export Clearance Process
 

(For United States residents and businesses exporting goods to other countries.)

General Export Requirements
Exporters are responsible for filing a Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) for all shipments leaving the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands and other U.S. possessions with certain exceptions. (The 2 most common exemptions are for shipments that do not require an export license and are either exported to Canada or, for many other destinations, which contain goods that are valued at $2,500 or less per Schedule B number.) Although the exporter is allowed to file a paper SED, the government encourages electronic filing via the Automated Export System (AES). Generally, the exporter provides either a paper SED or the AES Transaction number to the carrier when tendering the shipment. The SED is then submitted to the government at the time of export.

You can now authorize FedEx to file SED as your agent when preparing shipments on fedex.com.  FedEx Export AgentFile was designed to provide exporters with a streamlined SED filing and shipping label preparation process for regulatory compliance.  The tool stores all of your filings, creating a record you can access online any time within 45 days. The user interface is easy to use and guides you through all of the important steps.  For more information, please visit http://www.fedex.com/us/sed/

All exporters are obligated to comply with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). To comply with their obligations, an exporter should determine the end-user and ultimate end-use of the exported goods, the ultimate destination, and the Export Commodity Classification Number (ECCN) of any goods intended for export. (This information is used to determine export license requirements and to complete the SED). Penalties, fines and imprisonment can be imposed on non-compliant exporters.

For those shipments which contain products subject to export controls, the exporter may be required to submit additional information or documentation and the goods may be subject to examination prior to export. Some of the additional requirements that are encounter include:

• The Destination Control Statement must be provided on all copies of the waybill, invoice, and export control documents that accompany the shipment to the final end-user.
  
  
• Shipments exported under a Department of State license require that the original license is lodged with Customs and the SED is authenticated by Customs prior to export. (These shipments are not acceptable on FedEx International Express Services.)
  
  
• International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) to require mandatory electronic filing through the Automated Export System (AES) for exports of U.S. Munitions List (USML) hardware using a U.S. port that require the filing of shipper's export information.
  
  
• There is a mandatory electronic filing via the Automated Export System (AES) of exports of rough diamonds classified under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings 7102.10, 7102.21, and 7102.31.
  
  
• Goods subject to Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) control may require an export permit or inspection and exportation is permitted only from certain designated ports. (These shipments are not acceptable for export on FedEx International Express Services.)
  
  

• Goods which have been entered duty and/or tax free into a warehouse, Foreign Trade Zone or have been entered under a Temporary importation bond.
  
  
• Goods which are being exported under duty drawback provisions.
  
  

Export controls imposed on U.S. exporters by the United States government can take the form of prohibitions such as blockades, embargoes, boycotts, and sanctions or they can take the form of limitations which require an export license. Export controls may be product-specific or they can be based on end-use, end-user or ultimate destination.

The following is a listing of commodities prohibited or restricted for export from the United States (but cannot be taken as definitive):

Prohibited Absolutely

The following goods are prohibited by law:

• Wild animals or birds or their eggs (alive or dead) captured or killed contrary to law
  
  
• Articles containing dog or cat fur
  
  

The following items are not acceptable for carriage to any international destinations unless otherwise indicated.  (Additional restrictions may apply depending on destination.  Various regulatory clearances in addition to customs clearance may be required for certain commodities, thereby extending the transit time.)

• APO/FPO addresses.
  
  
• C.O.D. shipments.
  
  
• Human corpses, human organs or body parts, human and animal embryos, or cremated or disinterred human remains.
  
  
• Explosives (Class 1.4 explosives are acceptable for carriage to Canada, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom.  Note:  United Arab Emirates only allows Class 1.4 explosives to be shipped hold- for- pick-up to the FedEx Express facility in Dubai.)
  
  
• Firearms, weaponry, and their parts (acceptable between the U.S. and Puerto Rico).
  
  
• Perishable foodstuffs and foods and beverages requiring refrigeration or other environmental control.
  
  
• Live animals (including insects) except via our Live Animal Desk (1.800.405.9052).
  
  
• Plants and plant material, including cut flowers (cut flowers are acceptable from the U.S. to selected points in Canada and from Colombia and Ecuador to the U.S.).
  
  
• Lottery tickets and gambling devices where prohibited by local, state, provincial or national law.
  
  
• Money (coins, cash, currency, paper money and negotiable instruments equivalent to cash such as endorsed stocks, bonds and cash letters).
  
  
• Collectible coins and stamps.
  
  
• Pornography.
  
  
• Hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes or other medical waste.
  
  
• Shipments that may cause damage to, or delay of, equipment, personnel or other shipments.
  
  
• Shipments that require us to obtain any special license or permit for transportation, importation or exportation.
  
  
• Shipments whose carriage, importation or exportation is prohibited by any law, statute or regulation.
  
  
• Shipments with a declared value for customs in excess of that permitted for a specific destination. 
  
  
• Dangerous goods except as permitted under the Dangerous Goods section of these terms and conditions.
  
  
• Dead animals (including insects) or animals that have been mounted. 
  
  
• Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odor of any kind.
  
  
• Shipments* being processed under:
  
  

Duty drawback claims unless advance arrangements are made.

Temporary Import Bonds - acceptable under the FedEx International Broker Select option, for initial import only.

U.S. State Department licenses.

Carnets.

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration export permit.

Shipments destined to or being withdrawn from a Foreign Trade Zone.

Letters of Credit (however, shipments covered by a Letter of Credit calling for a "Courier Receipt" as defined by Article 29 of UCP 500 may move via FedEx International Priority).

Certificate of Registration shipments (CF4455).

Shipments moving into or out of Foreign Trade Zones or bonded warehouses.

United States Restrictions

Goods Subject to Export Controls

The following goods are restricted by law and may be required to meet special regulatory requirements but are acceptable for exportation on FedEx International Express Services.

• Goods subject to the EAR (Export Administration Regulations) including, but not limited to; chemicals, microorganisms, electronics, computers, telecommunication and information security devices, lasers and sensors, navigation and avionics, propulsion systems, materials and equipment using nuclear technology, software.
  
  
• Alcohol (Wine)
  
  
• Tobacco, seeds and plants
  
  

For more information call International Customer Service at 1.888.749.6667 or your local customer service representative. Visit http://www.international-orders.com/contact or email us at cs@international-orders.com

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