We compiled the 50 questions first-time importers ask most frequently — based on search data, trade forums, and our own user inquiries. Each answer is concise but complete, with links to detailed guides where relevant.
Getting started
1. Do I need a license to import goods into the USA?
No general import license exists. Anyone with a US address can import. But specific products need agency permits: FDA, USDA, EPA, FCC, ATF, or CPSC depending on what you're bringing in. Check before you order.
2. Do I need to register my business first?
Not technically — individuals can import. But practically, yes: you'll need an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS for customs filings, and a business bank account for wire transfers to suppliers. An LLC or corporation also limits your personal liability.
3. How much money do I need to start importing?
Minimum realistic budget: $3,000-5,000 for a small test order by sea (LCL). This covers product ($1,500-3,000), freight ($200-500), duties ($200-800), customs bond ($275-500/year), and broker fees ($150-250). Air freight test orders can be done for less if you're shipping under 50kg.
4. What is a customs bond and do I need one?
A customs bond is a financial guarantee to US Customs that you'll pay all duties and comply with regulations. Required for any commercial shipment over $2,500 value. Get a continuous bond ($275-500/year) if you'll import more than 2-3 times. Full guide here.
5. Can I import goods for personal use without paying duty?
Yes, under Section 321 de minimis, shipments under $800 in value are duty-free for personal use. Above $800, you pay duties even for personal imports. The $800 exemption doesn't apply to restricted goods (alcohol, tobacco, certain foods).
Finding suppliers
6. Where do I find overseas suppliers?
Top sources: Alibaba.com (largest, but verify carefully), GlobalSources.com (more vetted), trade shows (Canton Fair, MAGIC), 1688.com (Chinese domestic platform — cheaper but needs agent), sourcing agents, and industry directories. Detailed guide with verification steps.
7. How do I verify a supplier is legitimate?
Check: business license (ask for it), factory audit reports, years in operation, export history (ask for references), third-party verification (SGS, Bureau Veritas), video call of factory floor, and Alibaba transaction history. Red flags: no factory photos, won't send samples, wants Western Union payment, brand new account with no history.
8. How do I pay overseas suppliers safely?
Standard terms: 30% deposit by T/T (wire transfer) + 70% before shipment. Never pay 100% upfront to new suppliers. For large orders ($50K+), use a Letter of Credit for maximum protection. Alibaba Trade Assurance offers some buyer protection for Alibaba orders. For wire transfers, use Wise Business to save 1-3% on exchange rates vs. bank wires.
9. How many suppliers should I contact?
At minimum 5-10 for your first product. Request quotes from all, order samples from the top 3, then choose 1-2 for production. Having a backup supplier is important — factory problems, quality issues, and capacity constraints are common.
10. Should I use a sourcing agent?
Consider it if: you don't speak the language, you can't visit the factory, order value is above $10K, or you need ongoing QC. Agents charge 5-10% commission or a flat fee. Good agents save you more than they cost through better prices, QC, and logistics coordination.
Shipping and logistics
11. What is the difference between FOB and CIF?
FOB (Free on Board): seller loads goods on the ship, you pay freight and insurance from there. CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): seller pays freight and insurance to your port. Most experienced importers prefer FOB for cost control and transparency. Full comparison.
12. How long does ocean freight take?
China to US West Coast: 14-20 days port-to-port. China to US East Coast: 28-35 days. Add 5-12 days for customs, drayage, and delivery. Total door-to-door: 25-50 days. Transit times from all countries.
13. When should I use air freight vs. ocean freight?
Air freight: shipments under 500kg, time-sensitive goods, high-value/low-weight products. Ocean freight: anything over 2 CBM or 500kg where transit time isn't critical. Breakeven is roughly 500kg or 2 CBM — below that, air can be competitive. Detailed comparison.
14. What is LCL vs. FCL shipping?
LCL (Less than Container Load): your goods share a container with other shippers. FCL (Full Container Load): you book the entire container. LCL is cheaper for small shipments (1-10 CBM) but slower (+7-14 days for consolidation/deconsolidation). FCL is cheaper per CBM above ~15 CBM. When to switch from LCL to FCL.
15. How do I choose a freight forwarder?
Get quotes from 3+ forwarders. Compare: total landed cost (not just freight rate), transit time, communication quality, and whether they handle customs brokerage. Big names (Flexport, Freightos) offer transparency; smaller forwarders often have better rates for specific lanes. Buyer's guide.
Customs and duties
16. How do I find the HS code for my product?
Start at hts.usitc.gov — search by product description. Read the Section and Chapter notes (they override heading text). For complex products, check CBP rulings at rulings.cbp.gov. When in doubt, get a binding ruling from CBP (free, takes 30-60 days). Step-by-step process.
17. How much are import duties?
Depends entirely on your HS code and country of origin. Range: 0% to 50%+. Average across all US imports: about 3.4%. For Chinese goods: add 7.5-25% Section 301 tariffs on top of base duty. Use our duty calculator to check your specific product.
18. What are Section 301 tariffs?
Additional tariffs (7.5% or 25%) on most Chinese imports, imposed in 2018-2019 and still in effect in 2026. Four lists cover different product categories. Not all Chinese goods are affected — some are excluded. Complete 2026 guide.
19. How do I calculate my total landed cost?
Formula: Product cost + Freight + Insurance + Duties + Tariffs + MPF + HMF + Broker fee + Drayage + any agency fees. Expect total landed cost to be 30-60% above FOB price depending on tariff exposure. Full calculation guide with examples.
20. When do I pay duties?
Duties are due within 10 working days of filing the entry summary (CBP Form 7501). Your customs broker handles this — they usually require you to have funds available before they'll release your shipment. Some importers use Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) to batch all entries into one monthly payment.
Documents and compliance
21. What documents do I need to import?
Every import needs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, Entry documents (filed by your broker), Customs Bond, and ISF (ocean shipments). Some products also need: Certificate of Origin, FDA/USDA/EPA declarations, lab test reports. Complete checklist.
22. What is ISF filing (10+2)?
Importer Security Filing — 10 data elements about your shipment that must be submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before the vessel departs the foreign port. Usually your broker or forwarder files it. Late filing penalty: $5,000 per occurrence. Full ISF guide.
23. What happens during a customs exam?
CBP may select your shipment for examination: VACIS (X-ray, 1-2 days added), Tail-gate (physical look inside container, 2-5 days), or Intensive (full unload and inspection, 5-14 days). You pay exam fees ($300-1,500+). Random or triggered by anomalies in filing. Full guide.
24. What is a Certificate of Origin?
A document certifying where your goods were manufactured. Required to claim preferential duty rates under free trade agreements (USMCA, KORUS, etc.). Without it, you pay the standard MFN rate instead of the potentially lower FTA rate. Types and how to get one.
25. What is a commercial invoice?
A bill from your supplier showing: seller/buyer names, product description, quantity, unit price, total value, Incoterms, country of origin, and HS code. It's the primary document customs uses to assess duties. Errors = delays. How to read and verify one.
Costs and fees
26. What is MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee)?
A US Customs fee on all formal entries: 0.3464% of declared value, minimum $31.67, maximum $614.35 per entry. Everyone pays it — there's no exemption except for some FTA entries (USMCA goods are exempt from MPF).
27. What is HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee)?
A 0.125% fee on the value of goods arriving by ocean freight. Paid to maintain US ports. Only applies to sea shipments — air freight is exempt. Added on top of duties and MPF.
28. How much does a customs broker charge?
Typical fees: $150-250 per entry for standard clearance. Complex entries (multiple line items, FDA products, AD/CVD goods): $300-500+. Some brokers charge per line item. Shop around — broker fees are negotiable, especially if you import regularly.
29. What are demurrage and detention fees?
Demurrage: fees for leaving your container at the port terminal past free time (usually 3-5 free days, then $100-400/day). Detention: fees for keeping the container after it leaves the terminal (same rate structure). Both are avoidable with good planning. How to avoid them.
30. Can I get a refund on duties paid?
Yes, through duty drawback — if you re-export the imported goods or use them to manufacture products for export, you can claim back up to 99% of duties paid. The drawback process takes 6-18 months but can be significant for export-oriented businesses.
Tariff strategies
31. How can I legally reduce duties?
Legitimate strategies: use FTA preferences (USMCA, KORUS, etc.), classify goods correctly (some classifications have lower rates), use Foreign Trade Zones for deferral/reduction, structure transactions to minimize dutiable value (FOB vs CIF), and apply for duty drawback on re-exports.
32. What is a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)?
A designated area within the US where goods can be stored, assembled, or manufactured without paying duties until they enter US commerce. Benefits: duty deferral, inverted tariff savings, and duty elimination on re-exports. Complete FTZ guide.
33. What are anti-dumping duties?
Extra duties (often 50-300%+) on specific products from specific countries, imposed when foreign producers sell below fair market value. They're product-specific and country-specific. Check before you order — getting hit with an unexpected AD order can destroy your margins. How to check if your product is affected.
34. What is the Section 321 de minimis exemption?
Shipments valued under $800 enter the US duty-free and without formal customs entry. Used heavily by direct-to-consumer e-commerce (Temu, Shein, AliExpress). One exemption per person per day. Rules and limitations.
35. Does importing from Mexico or Canada mean zero duties?
Only if your product qualifies under USMCA Rules of Origin. The product must be substantially manufactured/grown in North America (specific rules vary by product). Simply transshipping Chinese goods through Mexico doesn't qualify. Mexico import guide with USMCA details.
Specific product questions
36. Do I need FDA approval to import food?
Not exactly "approval" — but you must: register your facility with FDA, file Prior Notice for each shipment, comply with food safety requirements (FSMA), and ensure proper labeling. FDA can detain non-compliant food at the border without examination.
37. Can I import cosmetics/supplements?
Cosmetics: no pre-market approval needed, but must comply with FDA labeling requirements and not contain prohibited ingredients. Supplements: same — no FDA approval required, but must follow cGMP manufacturing standards, proper labeling, and make no drug claims. FDA can still detain non-compliant products at the border.
38. What about importing electronics?
Most electronics need FCC compliance (Declaration of Conformity or Certification). Products must not cause harmful interference. Additionally, if they contain lithium batteries, there are shipping restrictions (IATA/IMDG dangerous goods rules). UL/ETL safety marks are needed for retail sale but not for import entry itself.
39. Can I import branded/trademarked goods?
Only if you're authorized by the brand owner. Importing counterfeit or infringing goods is illegal — CBP actively seizes them. Gray market goods (genuine products imported without brand owner's US authorization) are legal in some cases but depend on the specific trademark registration. When in doubt, get written authorization.
40. Are there products I cannot import at all?
Yes: endangered species products (CITES), certain weapons, illegal drugs, most ivory, Cuban goods (embargo), some agricultural items (pest risk), and goods from sanctioned countries (North Korea, Iran). Some products from China face outright bans (e.g., cotton from Xinjiang under the UFLPA).
Common mistakes
41. What's the biggest mistake new importers make?
Not calculating landed cost before ordering. They see the FOB price, think that's their cost, then get shocked by 30-60% additional costs (duties, freight, fees). Always calculate your full landed cost and verify margins BEFORE placing the order.
42. What happens if I use the wrong HS code?
If you underpay: CBP can audit you (up to 5 years back), assess additional duties + interest, and levy penalties (up to 4x the unpaid duties for fraud, or 20% for negligence). If you overpay: you lose money, but can file a protest within 180 days of liquidation to get a refund.
43. What if my goods are damaged during shipping?
File a cargo insurance claim if you have coverage. Without insurance, carrier liability is capped at $500/package (COGSA). Document damage immediately with photos at delivery. Report to carrier within 3 days (ocean) or 14 days (air). Why you need freight insurance.
44. What if customs holds my shipment?
Don't panic. Most holds resolve in 1-5 days. Common reasons: missing documents, exam selection, regulatory review (FDA hold). Contact your customs broker immediately — they'll communicate with CBP. Provide any requested documents ASAP. Don't try to contact CBP directly unless your broker is unresponsive.
45. Can I get in trouble for importing?
Yes, if you're negligent or fraudulent: misclassification, undervaluation, smuggling, importing prohibited goods, or evading duties. Penalties range from 20% of unpaid duties (negligence) to criminal prosecution (fraud/smuggling). Exercise "reasonable care" — document your classification decisions, use a licensed broker, and keep records for 5 years.
Advanced questions
46. What is "first sale" valuation?
If your product goes through a middleman (buying agent or trading company) before reaching you, you may be able to declare the lower "first sale" price (factory to middleman) instead of the higher middleman-to-you price. Reduces dutiable value = less duty. Requires documentation proving the first sale was a genuine arm's-length transaction.
47. How do I handle product recalls on imported goods?
You (the importer of record) are responsible for recalls, not your supplier. CPSC can mandate recalls of unsafe consumer products. Have: product liability insurance, a contractual indemnification clause with your supplier, and batch/lot traceability. The costs of a recall can exceed the entire order value.
48. What is a binding ruling from CBP?
A free, official classification decision from US Customs that tells you exactly which HS code applies to your product. Takes 30-60 days. Provides legal certainty — CBP must honor their own ruling. Request one at rulings.cbp.gov for any product with classification uncertainty.
49. Should I self-clear customs or use a broker?
You can legally self-file entries through ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). But it's complex: one error can mean penalties, holds, or overpayment. Most importers use brokers — the $150-250 fee is cheap insurance against mistakes. Self-filing only makes sense at very high volume with dedicated compliance staff.
50. How do I scale from first import to regular business?
Key steps: Get a continuous customs bond (covers unlimited entries), establish relationships with 2-3 suppliers and 1 freight forwarder, build cash flow forecasting (import payments happen weeks before revenue), consider a bonded warehouse for inventory flexibility, and invest in trade compliance from day one.