How to Import and Export Goods in the USA: A Guide for Small Businesses

If you are a small business owner who wants to expand your market and reach more customers, you might be interested in importing or exporting goods in the USA. Importing and exporting can help you diversify your products, lower your costs, increase your profits, and create a competitive edge. However, importing and exporting also involves some challenges and risks, such as complying with different laws and regulations, dealing with customs and tariffs, finding reliable suppliers and buyers, and managing logistics and transportation. In this article, we will provide you with some basic information and tips on how to import and export goods in the USA, as well as some useful resources to help you get started.

Importing Goods in the USA

Importing goods means bringing products or services from another country into the USA for sale or use. Importing can help you access cheaper or better quality products, fill gaps in your domestic market, or meet customer demand for foreign goods.

Before you start importing goods in the USA, you need to do some research and planning. Here are some steps you should follow:

1. Identify the products you want to import and their potential market

You should consider factors such as customer demand, price, quality, availability, competition, and legal restrictions. You can use online tools such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s Trade Data Online or the International Trade Administration’s Market Diversification Tool to find data and insights on different products and markets.

2. Find a reliable supplier in the country of origin

You can use online platforms such as Alibaba.com or Global Sources to search for suppliers, or you can attend trade shows or fairs to meet them in person. You should also check the supplier’s reputation, credentials, references, and samples before making a deal. You should also negotiate the terms of the contract, such as the price, quantity, quality, delivery time, payment method, warranty, and dispute resolution.

3. Determine the best mode of transportation for your goods

You can choose between air, sea, rail, or road transportation depending on the cost, speed, reliability, and environmental impact. You should also consider the size, weight, volume, value, perishability, and fragility of your goods. You can use online tools such as Freightos or Flexport to compare different options and rates.

4. Comply with the customs and regulatory requirements of both the exporting and importing countries

You should check if your goods need a license, permit, or other certification from any U.S. federal agency or foreign government agency before importing them. You should also check the tariff rates and quotas that apply to your goods based on their classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). You can use online tools such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ACE Portal or the International Trade Administration’s Export.gov to find information and guidance on these requirements.

5. Prepare the necessary documents for importing your goods

You will need to provide documents such as a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin, an arrival notice, and a customs entry form. You should also keep records of all your transactions for at least five years. You can use online tools such as IncoDocs or Shipping Solutions to create and manage your documents.

6. Pay the duties, taxes, and fees for importing your goods

You will need to pay customs duties based on the value and classification of your goods, as well as other taxes and fees such as merchandise processing fees (MPF), harbor maintenance fees (HMF), antidumping duties (ADD), countervailing duties (CVD), or user fees. You can use online tools such as SimplyDuty or DutyCalculator to estimate your duty costs.

7. Receive your goods and clear them through customs

You will need to arrange for a customs broker or freight forwarder to handle the clearance process for you, or you can do it yourself if you have enough experience and knowledge. You will need to present your documents and pay your duties at the port of entry where your goods arrive. You will also need to comply with any inspections or examinations that CBP or other agencies may conduct on your goods.

8. Sell or use your imported goods in the USA

You will need to follow the laws and regulations that apply to your products in terms of labeling, packaging, safety standards, quality control, marketing, distribution, taxation, and consumer protection.

Exporting Goods from the USA

Exporting goods means sending products or services from the USA to another country for sale or use. Exporting can help you access new markets, increase your sales volume, enhance your brand image, reduce your dependence on domestic demand, and take advantage of foreign exchange rates.

Before you start exporting goods from the USA, you need to do some research and planning. Here are some steps you should follow:

1. Identify the products you want to export and their potential market

2. Find a reliable buyer in the destination country

You can use online platforms such as Alibaba.com or Global Sources to search for buyers, or you can attend trade shows or fairs to meet them in person. You should also check the buyer’s reputation, credentials, references, and orders before making a deal. You should also negotiate the terms of the contract, such as the price, quantity, quality, delivery time, payment method, warranty, and dispute resolution.

3. Determine the best mode of transportation for your goods

4. Comply with the customs and regulatory requirements of both the exporting and importing countries

You should check if your goods need a license, permit, or other certification from any U.S. federal agency or foreign government agency before exporting them. You should also check the tariff rates and quotas that apply to your goods based on their classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). You can use online tools such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ACE Portal or the International Trade Administration’s Export.gov to find information and guidance on these requirements.

5. Prepare the necessary documents for exporting your goods

You will need to provide documents such as a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin, an export declaration, and a customs entry form. You should also keep records of all your transactions for at least five years. You can use online tools such as IncoDocs or Shipping Solutions to create and manage your documents.

6. Pay the duties, taxes, and fees for exporting your goods

7. Send your goods and clear them through customs

You will need to arrange for a customs broker or freight forwarder to handle the clearance process for you, or you can do it yourself if you have enough experience and knowledge. You will need to present your documents and pay your duties at the port of departure where your goods leave. You will also need to comply with any inspections or examinations that CBP or other agencies may conduct on your goods.

8. Receive payment and feedback from your buyer in the destination country

You will need to follow the payment method and terms that you agreed upon with your buyer, such as cash in advance, letter of credit, open account, or consignment. You should also monitor the delivery status of your goods and communicate with your buyer regularly to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Resources for Importing and Exporting Goods in the USA

If you need more information or assistance on how to import and export goods in the USA,
you can use some of these resources:

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides various programs and services for small businesses that want to import or export goods, such as loans, grants, counseling, training, and advocacy.
The U.S. Commercial Service is a part of the International Trade Administration that helps U.S. businesses find new markets and customers abroad, as well as resolve trade problems and disputes.
The U.S. Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) are local offices of the U.S. Commercial Service that provide personalized assistance and guidance on exporting issues, such as market research, trade leads, trade events, and trade missions.
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is an independent federal agency that provides financing solutions for U.S. exporters and their foreign buyers, such as loans, guarantees, insurance, and working capital.
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent federal agency that helps U.S. businesses create jobs and exports by linking them with infrastructure and development projects in emerging markets.

The U.S. Import and Export Industry: Trends and Statistics

The United States is one of the largest trading nations in the world, both in terms of exports and imports. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total value of U.S. trade in goods and services in 2021 was $5.6 trillion, with exports accounting for $2.1 trillion and imports for $3.5 trillion. The U.S. trade deficit, which measures the difference between imports and exports, was $915.8 billion in 2021, up from $576.9 billion in 2020.

The U.S. trade in goods is dominated by manufactured products, such as machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft. The top five export markets for U.S. goods in 2021 were Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, while the top five import sources were China, Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Germany. The U.S. also trades in services, such as travel, transportation, financial services, and intellectual property rights. The top five export markets for U.S. services in 2021 were the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, China, and Japan, while the top five import sources were the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, India, and Germany.

The U.S. trade in goods and services is affected by various factors, such as exchange rates, tariffs, trade agreements, economic growth, consumer demand, and global supply chains. In recent years, the U.S. has faced several trade challenges and opportunities, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S.-China trade war, the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The U.S. import and export industry is a vital component of the U.S. economy and a key driver of innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2020, U.S. exports supported 10.7 million jobs and accounted for 12 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), while U.S. imports supported 16 million jobs and accounted for 18 percent of GDP.

References:

https://www.bea.gov/system/files/2019-04/qgdpstate0519_4.pdf

http://www.statsamerica.org/sip/rank_list.aspx?rank_label=exp1_a&item_in=2018&ct=S09

http://tse.export.gov/tse/detectscreen.aspx?DATA=SED&Referrer=TSEReports.aspx

https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/asm/

https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/mnp/

https://dataweb.usitc.gov/
https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/
https://www.statista.com/topics/1308/trade-in-the-us/
https://www.bls.gov/mxp/