INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
Top 10 Tips for Importing into the United States
The importers who clear customs fastest and get audited least do the same handful of things every time: classify goods correctly, value them honestly, confirm country of origin, post the right bond, and keep clean records. None of it is glamorous, but each habit removes a common reason CBP holds shipments or issues penalties. Here are ten practical tips, in roughly the order they matter.
1. Confirm Your Goods Are Admissible Before They Ship
The most expensive mistake is buying goods you cannot legally bring in. Before you place an order, check whether the product is restricted, requires a permit, or is subject to a partner-agency requirement (FDA, USDA, EPA, CPSC). Admissibility problems found at the port are far costlier than the same questions answered before the goods leave the factory.
2. Get the HTS Classification Right
Your 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule code sets your duty rate, so treat classification as a legal exercise, not a guess. A single wrong digit can change the rate or pull your product into a special tariff. When you are unsure, our primer on customs classification explains the logic, and CBP will issue a binding ruling that locks in the classification in advance.
3. Declare an Honest Customs Value
Duty is calculated on the customs value — generally the price actually paid or payable for the goods. Undervaluing to lower duty is one of the fastest ways to draw a penalty under the customs laws. Include the dutiable elements you might overlook, such as certain assists, packing, and commissions, and keep the documentation that supports your number.
4. Verify Country of Origin, Not Just Where It Shipped
Country of origin drives your duty rate, your exposure to trade remedies, and your marking obligations. It is about where the goods were made (or substantially transformed), not the port they left from. Our guide to country-of-origin determinations covers how the rules actually work — this is a frequent audit target.
5. Post the Right Customs Bond
Most commercial entries require a customs bond (CBP Form 301) guaranteeing CBP that duties and penalties will be paid. If you import regularly, an annual continuous bond is usually cheaper and smoother than a single-entry bond on every shipment. Size the bond to your projected duties so it does not become a bottleneck.
6. Check for Antidumping and Countervailing Duties
Before you commit to a supplier, find out whether the product and country are subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order. These trade-remedy duties can run far higher than the ordinary rate and turn a profitable deal into a loss. The exposure depends heavily on origin, so confirm it early.
7. Use Trade Programs You Actually Qualify For
If your goods qualify under a free trade agreement, you may import at a reduced or zero rate — but only with the right origin documentation. If you hold inventory or do further work before sale, a foreign-trade zone or bonded warehouse can defer duty. Claim only what you can actually support.
8. Keep Complete Records for Five Years
CBP can audit your entries, and the recordkeeping obligation runs five years from the date of entry. Keep invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, classification rationales, and origin documentation organized and retrievable. An audit you can answer in a day is a non-event; one you cannot is a problem.
9. Exercise — and Document — Reasonable Care
The Customs Modernization Act requires importers to use reasonable care in declaring their goods. That means having a process: how you classify, how you value, how you confirm origin, and who checks the work. Writing it down turns scattered habits into an import compliance program you can show CBP.
10. Know What Changed — Especially De Minimis
Import rules move. The biggest recent change: the Section 321 de minimis exemption, which let shipments of $800 or less enter duty-free, was suspended for all countries effective August 29, 2025. As of mid-2026, low-value shipments generally need a formal entry and duties. Confirm the current rule before relying on any threshold.
Quick-Reference Checklist
| Tip | The habit | What it prevents |
|---|---|---|
| Admissibility | Check before shipping | Goods stuck or refused at the port |
| Classification | Right HTS code | Wrong duty, special-tariff surprises |
| Valuation | Honest customs value | Penalties for undervaluation |
| Origin | Confirm where made | Trade-remedy and marking problems |
| Bond | Correct bond type/size | Entry delays |
| Records | Keep five years | Failed audits |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a customs broker to import? No, but most importers use one. A broker files your entry through CBP’s ACE system; the legal responsibility for accuracy still rests with you as the importer of record.
How long do I have to keep import records? Generally five years from the date of entry. That covers invoices, entry documents, classification and valuation support, and origin records.
What is the single most common importing mistake? Misclassification. Because the HTS code sets the duty rate and trade-remedy exposure, a wrong code cascades into wrong duties and potential penalties.
Want a second set of eyes before you import? Reidel Law Firm helps importers classify goods, confirm origin, and put a defensible compliance process in writing — flat-fee import/export compliance work with direct attorney access. Get an import compliance memo →
