Goods entering the United States are subject to strict regulations. Some items are prohibited from entering the country, while others are subject to customs restrictions. In a previous article, we discussed the steps involved in shipping a parcel across the Atlantic. Discover below the list of products that can be exported to the USA and the specific steps to follow for a successful shipment.
Alcohol-based products
Shipping alcohol to the United States requires careful attention to requirements. For shipments to individuals, it's essential to check whether the carrier allows it. Some carriers do not accept direct shipments of foreign alcohol to U.S. consumers.
Shipments to professionals require both sender and recipient to have an alcohol dealer's license. Products must comply with Federal Trade Commission and TTB labeling standards. Delivery requires the signature of an adult aged 21 or over.
The documents required are the packing slip, commercial invoice and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) import notification. The consignee must provide :
- an importer's license ;
- Form 5106 for shipments over $2,500;
- alcohol dealer's registration number;
- a customs bond ;
- a power of attorney for the carrier's customs agent.
Clothing and textiles
The export of clothing and textiles, particularly those containing products derived from exotic animals, requires verification of CITES regulations. The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice. For shipments over $2,500, the consignee must submit form 5106 with the U.S. tax ID (EIN for professionals, Social Security number for individuals).
The description of the goods must include the type of garment, a detailed description, the fabric composition, the manufacturing method, the target audience, and the manufacturer's full contact details with its identification code (MID). This code can replace the contact details on the shipping documents once registered in the carrier's system.
Works of art and antiques
Would you like to send a work of art or an antique to the USA? You must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. The importer must present a signed and dated antique declaration to avoid customs duties on antique shipments. This declaration certifies that the items are 100 years old or more, and indicates the period of manufacture. The description of the goods must include:
- type of work of art or antique;
- date or period of manufacture ;
- the name of the artist or manufacturer ;
- the name of the work of art.
Car parts
Compliance with Federal Trade Commission and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) labeling and packaging standards is mandatory. The shipper must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. For vehicle safety-related parts, NHTSA form DOT HS-7 must be completed.
If shipping substances such as oil, the consignee must enclose TSCA certification to guarantee compliance with U.S. import standards. If this certification is provided by the exporter, the importer must provide written authorization. The description of the goods must be detailed, including the type of parts, their composition and the purpose of the shipment (sale, repair or restoration of old vehicles).
Bearings
The packing slip and commercial invoice remain mandatory. However, the consignee does not need to provide any additional documents for customs clearance. Description of goods includes :
- type of bearings (ceramic, ball) ;
- a detailed description ;
- inside and outside diameters in metric or imperial units ;
- additional parts (such as bearing cones) ;
- the manufacturer's full contact details or MID identification code.
Organic materials
If the material is to be used as a drug, the recipient must comply with FDA regulations as a pharmaceutical establishment, and declare the drug to the FDA. Biological materials must also follow the labeling and packaging rules defined by the FTC or the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
In addition to the packing slip and commercial invoice, customs authorities require an end-use declaration specifying the intended use of the products. The consignee, depending on the origin of the materials (human or animal), may require an import permit from the FDA or USDA/APHIS. TSCA certification may also be required.
The description of the goods must include the type of biological material, its origin, the FDA product code if human, the quantities with packaging and the purpose of the shipment. The manufacturer's full contact details with MID identification code can be used, once registered in the carrier's system.
Chemical substances
The shipment of chemical substances to the United States involves strict labeling and packaging requirements, in accordance with the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice only.
As for the consignee, he or she must present a positive certification attesting to the chemical's compliance with TSCA import requirements, with the possibility of requiring written authorization if the certification comes from the consignor. If the chemical substance is not listed on the EPA's TSCA inventory, the shipper must register it.
The description of the goods must specify :
- the type of chemical substance (such as an oxide or an organic acid);
- quantities with packaging ;
- the purpose of the shipment (such as agricultural use or scientific research);
- and, if applicable, the CAS registry number issued by the Chemical Abstracts Service to identify the chemical substance.
Electronic equipment
Compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards is mandatory. Equipment must comply with U.S. labeling and packaging requirements as defined by the Federal Trade Commission and the FCC. The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice. The consignee does not require any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods should include information on the type of electronic device, such as a DSLR camera or a 2 TB SSD. It should also specify the type of use, such as digital photography or data storage. In case of doubt about labeling and packaging requirements, it is advisable to contact the competent authority directly.
Eyewear
These include sunglasses, corrective lenses, spectacle frames and magnifying glasses. Manufacturers must comply with FDA regulations applicable to these items. Eyewear must comply with U.S. labeling and packaging standards defined by the FTC and FDA.
The shipper must provide a packing slip, a commercial invoice and a "Drop Ball Test" impact resistance certificate. Excluded from this requirement are frames meeting FDA standards. The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods includes the following information:
- type of glasses ;
- the purpose of the shipment (sale, test, repair) ;
- the manufacturer's FDA registration number;
- the FDA registration number of the medical device;
- the FDA classification code of the medical device ;
- the manufacturer's full contact details and MID identification code.
Foodstuffs
Exporting foodstuffs, both human and animal, to the USA requires compliance with FDA FSMA regulations. Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) for US food importers apply. Food products must also comply with U.S. labeling and packaging requirements laid down by the FTC and FDA.
To export food, you must provide a packing slip, a commercial invoice and file a Notice of Importation of Food with the FDA. The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must include :
- destination (human or animal consumption);
- the type of food (such as gluten-free cookies, canned cherry tomatoes, fish pellets);
- the purpose of the shipment (consumption, testing) ;
- precise quantity with description of packaging;
- FDA registration numbers of manufacturer and consignee;
- product code FD ;
- the manufacturer's full contact details and MID identification code.
The shoes
Shipment of footwear to the United States requires compliance with U.S. labeling and packaging requirements, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission and Customs and Border Protection.
For footwear made from products derived from exotic animals, such as snakeskin boots, we recommend that you contact the carrier's local Customer Service department. CITES regulations may apply.
The shipper must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. The consignee, on the other hand, requires no additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must be very detailed. It can be found on the commercial invoice or on the Interim Footwear Invoice provided by IFAFRA, and is attached to the other documents required. If the upper of the footwear is mainly made of textile, it is important to specify the full name and address or the identification code of the textile manufacturer (MID code). This code can replace the manufacturer's details on the shipping documents. New shippers must provide their full contact details, together with their MID code, after registration in the carrier's system.
Integrated circuits
When shipping integrated circuits to the U.S., it is also essential to comply with U.S. labeling and packaging standards, as defined by the Federal Trade Commission.
The shipper must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must include the type of integrated circuit, such as a processor, controller, dynamic RAM, EPROM or detached components.
If the ICs have dynamic RAM, it's important to specify the number of megabits. The purpose of the shipment, whether for sales or testing, must also be specified.
The jewels
When shipping jewelry to the United States, it is imperative to comply with specific regulations. Importing rubies and jadeites from Burma (Myanmar), for example, is prohibited.
Jewelry must also comply with U.S. labeling and packaging standards as defined by the Federal Trade Commission. The shipper must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. If rubies or jadeites are being shipped, a dated and signed export declaration must be provided, attesting to their origin outside Burma.
The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance. The description of goods must include :
- the type of jewelry (e.g. a white gold bracelet or a silver ring with a lapis lazuli stone);
- metal content (e.g. 555 gold, 925 silver);
- net weight of the jewel (23 grams, 1.2 oz);
- details of the gemstones with their individual values in USD ;
- a specific indication if the jewel contains rubies or jades.
Laptop computers
When shipping laptops to the USA, it is crucial to comply with FDA regulations on radiation-emitting electronic products. In addition, these products must comply with U.S. labeling and packaging standards laid down by the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). In case of doubt, we recommend that you contact the appropriate U.S. authority directly.
The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice. For laptops equipped with a CD/DVD drive, a Declaration of Importation of Electronic Products Subject to Radiation Control Standards (FDA Form 2877) is also required. The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must mention the type of laptop (e.g. Dell XPS 13 or Apple MacBook Pro 13"), the purpose of the shipment (sale, test, repair) and whether or not it includes a CD/DVD drive.
Medical devices
Shipment of medical devices to the USA requires compliance with FDA regulations, particularly if the device emits radiation. Medical devices must comply with U.S. labeling and packaging standards defined by the Federal Trade Commission and the FDA.
The shipper must provide a packing slip and a commercial invoice. The consignee does not need any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must include :
- Type of medical device: hearing aid, heart rate monitor, defibrillator, etc.
- The purpose of the mailing: sales or test.
- Manufacturer's FDA registration number.
- The shipper's FDA registration number (if different from the manufacturer's).
- The device's FDA registration number.
- The medical device's FDA classification code.
- The FDA intended use code (e.g. 081.000 for use as a medical device in a medical environment).
- Additional product-specific information: device pre-marketing number, electrode cable, patient cable, etc.
- The name and full address of the manufacturer with its identification code (MID).
Printed circuit boards
The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice when shipping integrated circuits. The consignee does not need to provide any additional documents for customs clearance.
The description of the goods must include :
- The type of circuit: bare printed circuit board, equipped printed circuit board, etc.
- A detailed description for bare printed circuit boards: flexible or rigid, fully encapsulated in plastic, impregnated glass base, ceramic base, etc.
- A detailed description of the printed circuit board, indicating the computer, device or machine to which it belongs.
- The main function of the circuits: memory or other, DRAM memory module in a computer, adapter for data transmission, etc.
- The presence or absence of DRAM memory on printed circuit boards.
Films and videos
Videos and films must comply with the labeling and packaging regulations established by the Federal Trade Commission in the United States. The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice. No additional documentation is required from the consignee for customs clearance.
In the description of the goods, it's important to specify whether the film is intended for commercial use, such as a feature film, or simply a video. The type of physical support should be specified, such as the number of DVDs in plastic cases, reels of Super 8 film or a hard disk containing video files.
Please include the length of the video or film, the physical length of the reels if applicable, a brief description of the content, and a dated and signed declaration that the content complies with U.S. legal requirements. This declaration can be printed separately and attached to other shipping documents, stating that the film or video contains no obscene or immoral scenes, nor any threat to the United States or its residents.
Watches and clocks
When shipping watches and clocks, please note that leather straps may be subject to the regulations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The shipper must provide a packing slip and commercial invoice, while the receiver will not need to submit any additional documents for customs clearance.
In the description of the goods, it is essential to specify the type of watch or clock, such as self-winding, mechanical, pendulum or analog. Also include the following details:
- Case composition: steel, gold-plated steel, titanium, ceramic, etc.
- Type of display: mechanical, optoelectronic, etc.
- The number of stones on the watch or clock.
- Power source: battery, AC power supply, mechanical movement.
- Bracelet material: precious metal, base metal, textile, leather.
- The country of origin of the movement.
- The value of each component in USD: for example, movement: 20 USD, bracelet: 30 USD, battery: 5 USD, case: 45 USD, with a total watch value of 100 USD.
Products exportable to the USA: what you need to know
Free trade agreements between the EU and the USA are not the most stable. Nevertheless, France remains the USA's 3rd largest trading partner. It is essential to keep abreast of the latest regulations before shipping goods across the Atlantic.
The most important documents for exporting to the USA are the packing slip and the commercial invoice. The description of the goods must also be as precise as possible. You may also be asked to provide further proof of the conformity of the exported goods. The consignee may be required to provide certain certifications for customs clearance.
Whatever you need to ship to the United States, D&figroupe can help you every step of the way. Our customer service team will answer all your questions and proactively monitor your parcels. It works in collaboration with our U.S.-based customs agents. They ensure that your customs procedures run smoothly.
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