Import
All merchandise coming into the United States must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is subject to Customs duty, unless specifically exempted by law. Clearance involves a number of steps, which include inspection and appraisement.
Customs law requires that duty be paid on goods entering the county, according to its official classification from a tariff schedule. Sometimes a surety bond is required, and some types of goods must meet admissibility standards, with proper permits secured in advance by the importer.
At Export-Import Services Inc., our licensed, professional import team has years of experience to help your goods sail smoothly through the U.S. Customs process, which can be fraught with delays and frustrations for the uninitiated.
A representative will find out from you whether you need door-to-door forwarding service, U.S. Customs clearance, or both. We’ll contact our worldwide network of agents to work with your foreign contact to ship the merchandise properly. We’ll prepare the bills of lading, organize forwarding, handle the U.S. Customs clearance, tariffs and duty, and any related fees. If there is a problem, we’ll know what to do to fix it.
Import specialist Marcella Justin works directly with several U.S. companies who bring in furniture, plumbing supplies, auto parts, glassware, steel and jewelry from foreign countries. From her computer, directly connected to the Custom’s Department Automated Broker Interface (ABI) service, Marcella efficiently handles clients’ needs to bring the goods into market.
“A new customer will come with nightmare stories of trying to import their goods - stories of one problem after another.” says Marcella, an 11-year veteran.
“I enjoy explaining to them what needs to be done. I like solving their problems. It makes their lives so much easier, and makes me feel like I’ve made a big difference. We become friends,” she says.
- Application for Importer ID: We will provide this to you for Customs.
- Continuous Bonds: Each importer must be bonded, so that the U.S. government is assured it will receive its duty fees. Frequent shippers often prefer to have a continuous bond to cover all shipments, which we can arrange.
- Customs Examinations: Sometimes U.S. Customs and Border Protection randomly selects merchandise for examination. We arrange to get it to the exam site, and handle the examination charges, which the importer reimburses.
- FDA, USDA Processing: We handle required prior notice, documentation and samples they may request.
- Domestic and International Freight: We have established relationships with the most reliable trucking and document delivery services.
- Personal Effects Entry: We provide this service typically for people who have been living overseas and who want to bring their goods back to the U.S.
- Specialized Classification: Our experts will know which category your goods fall under.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Processing: Expert guidance on regulations, tariffs, duty rates and problem-solving. We use the electronic ABI system for efficient, accurate processing.
- Steel Licensing: A new requirement, we can arrange for licenses.
