It can be difficult to import items into the US from China, particularly for startups. It necessitates a thorough comprehension of the complete supply chain, from delivery to shipment. Building trusting connections with suppliers, organizing effective shipping strategies, and abiding by regulations of U.S. Customs are all necessary for successfully completing this procedure.
China presents a plethora of business prospects owing to its massive manufacturing infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and industry-spanning experience, earning it the moniker "the factory of the world." Gaining access to customized items at competitive pricing and raising margins are two ways that importing from China can improve profitability.
The purpose of this article is to give you the necessary knowledge to begin the process of importing from China to the USA. It addresses important topics like:
- Being aware of the import procedure: Learn about every step of the import process, from locating suppliers to getting the goods.
- Channels for compliance and regulation: To ensure compliance, familiarize yourself with the regulatory requirements and the ins and outs of U.S. Customs.
- Logistics and shipping: Learn about popular shipping words, efficient shipping methods, and best practices for product transportation.
- Costs of imports: There are differences expenses needed in the form of tariffs and taxes.
In this post we will offer complete guidelines about how to make China direct sourcing by streamlining the whole process. Importing from China offers a great opportunity to most businesses to save their costs and increase profitability.
1. Understanding the import process
Comprehending the basic principles of importing goods from China will streamline the procedure and minimize any complications. This is a brief summary of everything you should know, including how to find out if additional duties apply to your Chinese items:
a. Market research
Before starting import activities, conduct thorough market research to ensure your chosen item can be legally exported from China. To find a reliable supplier, contact the Chinese embassy in the USA, attend trade events, approach Chinese trade promotion councils, connect with relevant government agencies, and obtain China export data from reputable market research companies like Export Genius.
b. Product restrictions
Regulations to safeguard consumer health are enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and noncompliance can result in fines, delays, or legal repercussions. Ensure your goods meet these regulations before importing. Examples include:
- Commercial equipment: Must have energy efficiency labels.
- Fruits, vegetables, and nuts: Need FDA inspection certificates and adhere to strict requirements regarding ripeness and size.
- Meat, poultry, and egg products: Must be reinspected by the USDA and possess inspection certificates from the nation of origin.
- Seeds: Subject to testing and inspection upon entry.
- Wood packing materials: It needs to be tagged, heat-treated, or fumigated.
- Toys: Must abide by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act's safety requirements.
c. Make a list of Chinese exporters or suppliers
Begin by compiling a list of Chinese exporters for your product using online directories or professional sourcing companies. Attending trade fairs like the Canton Fair or East China Fair, and reviewing China’s customs data, can also be helpful. Additionally, consider working with export agents in China to identify reliable exporters.
2. Compliance and documentation
a. Import regulations and tariffs
During the year 2018, when US President was Donal Trump, then section 301 tariff was imposed on all goods coming from China, so that the trade imbalance between the two countries could be closed and also support the industries in the USA.
In the industrial culture in the USA, intellectual property rights are very important. Because of imposing this additional tax on Chinese goods, China had lost its position to the USA as the largest exporter to Mexico in 2023. This had negatively hit the Chinese market in the USA.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) released four lists of products that would have their tariffs raised, with some items seeing their rates go up to 100% by 2026. However, the U.S. also released lists of tariff-exempt items. Importers of these excluded goods can file for retroactive drawback claims to recover taxes already paid.
b. Required documentation
In order to import from China to USA you will need several documents so that you can smoothly carry out your business. The following are the essential documents needed:
- Commercial invoice: In the invoice there will be all details about the item, its quantity, unit price and the total value will be mentioned.
- Packing list: In the packing list, you can find all the details about the contents shipped so that it can be declared for the custom clearance.
- Bill of lading: This is an official receipt from shipping carrier. It also functions as a document of title, facilitating the transfer of ownership during transit.
- Certificate of origin: This document verifies the country where the majority of your goods were produced. It may be necessary for obtaining preferential duty rates or for specific product categories. While only some countries still require this document, consult your shipper for details on whether it is needed for your shipments.
A few additional potential documents are also needed, which are:
- Export license: Certain goods need an export license from China before they can be shipped. Verify with Chinese authorities to see if your products require this license.
- Inspection certificates: There are few items need a special inspection report which is required for health, safety to meet quality requirements based on US rules.
- Insurance certificate: This is needed so that the item may remain insured against any potential damage or loss.
- Other regulatory documents: Few special items may require a special certificate to enter into the USA.
3. Shipping and logistics
a. Choosing a shipping method
There are several ways to ship your product from China to the USA. They are by:
- ePacket for low value items
- 3PL for shipping from China via Hong Kong
- DHL for costly items.
b. Freight forwarders and customs brokers
Whenever you want to import any item from outside countries to the USA, you will be asked to execute a custom bond. Based on the terms and conditions set on this bond will decide how much tax and duties will be imposed on you to bring the item within the country. Additional conditions could change based on the port of entry.
If you are interested to know from which port of entry your item will arrive along with the details about the broker, then you need to contact, and agency related to Custom and Border protection. They have a complete list available with them.
Also, it is important that you must be aware of exchange rates of the currency of China against US dollar, which may change from time to time. Chinese official currency is Renminbi (RMB).
c. Insurance
Imports from China to the United States may require insurance to safeguard goods during transit. Private insurance brokers can provide cargo insurance to protect against potential losses.
Cost and Freight (CFR) and Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) will reflect the total merchandise value upon arrival, including import charges.
4. Quality control and inspection
Product quality issues are a common challenge when importing from new suppliers. To address this, thoroughly inspect your shipment against your specification checklist upon arrival. If discrepancies arise, first determine the cause: Did you miss a crucial detail in your specifications, or did the supplier deliver a substandard product?
If the supplier is at fault, consider the following actions:
- Use Alibaba’s Trade Assurance or PayPal for potential refunds.
- Contact the supplier to request a resolution, such as a replacement or refund.
- For significant losses, litigation in China might be an option, though it is costly and uncertain.
- If all else fails, use social media, industry forums, and SupplierBlacklist.com to warn others about unreliable suppliers.
The key is to proactively prevent quality issues through careful supplier selection and detailed specifications.
5. Payment terms & methods
Chinese suppliers usually require a 30% deposit before shipping, with the remaining 70% paid upon receipt of goods, reducing theft risk for both parties. Currency conversion is generally not an issue, as most Chinese suppliers accept US dollars (USD).
You can deposit your payments through the following methods:
a. Telegraphic transfer payments
These are standard electronic fund transfers between banks, typically incurring lower fees compared to other methods and accepted by all Chinese suppliers. While TT payments offer less protection against theft, they are still highly recommended to import from China to USA.
b. Letter of credit (LC)
This type of fund transfer includes insurance: you pay your bank, which then provides a guarantee to the supplier. The bank releases payment to the vendor only after confirming that your order has arrived at the correct destination. While this added security can be beneficial, the high fees might not be justified for most transactions.
The primary risks for importers are issues with item quality and shipping delays, which a Letter of Credit (LC) does not cover. Consequently, LCs are generally reserved for very large transactions.
c. Alibaba trade assurance
Similar to bank Letters of Credit, Alibaba provides a payment option where you deposit funds into a designated Alibaba account with Singapore City Bank. The payment is then released to the supplier once shipping is verified.
Unlike LC payments, Alibaba Trade Assurance offers a refund if the shipment is delayed beyond a specified date or if the goods do not meet the agreed-upon quality standards. This method requires both parties to have Alibaba accounts and is free to use, with the only cost being the processing fee for the initial payment.
d. PayPal
This payment option is secure and straightforward, but it is not frequently used by importers. PayPal imposes high transaction fees, and many suppliers don’t use PayPal accounts to receive payments. When used, PayPal is typically reserved for small, initial purchases, such as samples and trial orders.
6. Retrieving Your Imported Goods
You must make arrangements for the retrieval or transportation of your products to their final destination after they pass customs inspection and all payments have been made.
When you ship LCL (Less than Container Load), your items show up in a container alongside other shipments. Following clearance by customs, the container is often transported to an off-site location for unloading.
In this case, you or your freight forwarder will receive instructions for a secondary location near the original port. The port of entry is where shipments of full container loads (FCLs) are picked up.
Your shipped items you will be assigned a cargo control number, which you will need while you collect your item. This control number will hasten your process.
Inland shipping costs usually start at $100 or more. Alternatively, you can use a broker to arrange inland freight.
You have the option to drive your car to the port or warehouse if you choose to pick up your products yourself rather than having them delivered. Make sure you pack a small quantity of cash ($25–$75) in case you need to pay for loading, parking, or docking.
Import consulting for China through a licensed customs broker
A licensed customs broker can be invaluable when you are going to import from China to USA. They ensure that your goods cross borders smoothly and arrive at the port of entry on time. Additionally, they help ensure that your shipment complies with all customs regulations and rules upon entry into the country.
Your broker can offer a range of services when importing from China, including:
- Arrange customs clearance for your imported goods at the US port of entry.
- Preparation for the release of goods.
- Work with CBP to make sure that all government taxes, duties, and fees are paid as required.
- Determine which permits are needed to import your items and help you with obtaining the necessary permits.
- Help you understand the import process, including selecting entry points for your goods, directing free-trade agreements, and managing duty or tax deferment.
These brokers can offer you all the details that are necessary for your shipment and will make sure that it is compliant with Customs and Border Protection and all other regulations.
Conclusion
If you import from China to USA, then it can significantly boost profitability by providing access to a vast and diverse range of products. Despite the costs associated with tariffs, transportation, and customs, the low prices of Chinese imports often make the procurement process highly advantageous.
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