Air Import to the United States
|
General
Customs Clearance is required for imported shipments entering the United States. A formal customs entry is required for commercial shipments over USD2000. A
formal entry must be supported by a Surety Bond to ensure payment of duties and compliance with Customs requirements. An informal entry can be filed for many commercial shipments valued at USD2000 or less (exceptions apply). A bond is not required for informal entries valued at US2000 or less.
Country of Origin Marking is required on all finished goods and assemblies, or on their immediate packages when imported in
point-of-sale packaging.
Advance Electronic Information: Cargo information submitted electronically to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is required for all imports prior to arrival in the United States.
Samples, Low Value and Non-Commercial Importations may be imported duty-free to the United States. For more information see
www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/legal/informed_compliance_pubs/icp066.ctt/icp066.pdf
Import Customs Tariff: The United States assessed duty on an imported product is based on its classification (heading) in the
HTSUS based on the
Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) for classifying merchandise. For more information see
www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/bychapter/index.htm
Official
Cargo Insurance is not required, although a shipper wishing to protect his interests in the cargo in the event of loss or damage prior to delivery to ultimate consignee should cover cargo with either an FOB/FAS clause or contingency insurance clause coverage.
Commercial Documents: United States Customs Authorities require commercial documents to be written in the English language.
Required set of Documents for Air Import
Airway Bill Requirements: The following house bill documentation procedures must be followed:
- Address Completion: A complete address is required for shipper and consignee to include the street number, street name, city, state and postal code, where applicable.
- Importer of Record (IOR): If the Importer of Record is incorrect, US Customs will require an amended house bill resulting in additional delays of the shipment, as well as all other shipments in the consolidation, if applicable.
- Unknown Importer of Record: The Importer of Record needs to be a known Importer of Record by US Customs.
- Third Parties: The consignee field on the house bill cannot show the consignee name with a third party address such as “in care of” or “c/o”. Only the actual consignee along with the consignee address can be listed.
- Example 1: ABC Imports (IOR) c/o XYZ International (Delivery Address) is not acceptable.
- Example 2: Joe Blow (IOR) with XYZ Broker address is not acceptable.
- Commodity Designation: The goods description on the house bill must be detailed and complete. General descriptions such as clothing/electronics/parts are not acceptable. Due to the limited space in AMS, the beginning of description must be clear – ex. Women’s pants 50% polyester 50% spandex instead of 50% polyester 50% spandex women’s pants. At a minimum Customs will see the description “women’s pants.”
ATA Carnets are available for export and accepted for import of: Commercial Samples and Professional Equipment, but not for Exhibitions and Fairs. A carnet is obtained from the Guaranteeing Association or its authorized issuing agent(s) in the originating country from which goods are to be shipped there under. Use country name link at
USCIB | The Power to Shape Policy. The Power to Expedite Trade. for name of associations that issue carnets, address and contact information.
Certificate of Origin is required for merchandise subject to preferential tariff treatment.
Commercial Invoice is required for commercial shipments. For non-commercial shipments, prepare a pro-forma invoice.
Manufacturer’s Affidavit: Shipments made in the United States returning to the United States with a value greater than $10,000 require a manufacturer’s affidavit.
Packing List is not always required by regulations but recommended for use to expedite clearance at the port of entry for all shipments containing more than one shipping unit. It should clearly identify the contents of each shipping package with that description including both the gross weight and net weight and the shipping marks and numbers. Provide at least three (3) copies of the packing list as part of shipping documents sent to the consignee. The information on the packing list must be consistent with all information shown on the commercial invoice or pro-forma invoice.
Temporary Imports can enter the United States under an
ATA Carnet or
temporary importation bond (TIB). Goods can also be transported through the United States
in-transit,
immediate transportation (IT) entry or
transportation and exportation (T&E) entry.
Some form of a
Transport Document is required, not only for transportation purposes, but also for use as a source document with respect to the destination customs manifest. For air cargo, an Airway Bill (AWB) is typically used, though depending on the carrier, this may take the form of an electronic air waybill (EAWB).
Other Country Specific Requirements
Manifest Requirements: With the signing into law of the Trade Act of 2002, on August 6, 2002, the requirement of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to receive cargo manifest information 4hrs prior to first port of arrival in the United States for countries outside of North America, Central America, South American the Caribbean, and Bermuda. For these countries the rule is prior to flight departure. Origin office is responsible for AMS processing - Air Automated Manifest System (AMS) Module
https://apps.tradegate2000.com/import2000air/index.asp?ID=47185