The import side
The importer of record is the party legally responsible for goods entering the United States, including declaring the correct classification, value, and country of origin and paying duties. Most importers hire a licensed customs broker to file entries, but the broker acts on your behalf and the responsibility remains yours. A customs bond is generally required for formal entries. Ocean shipments come with advance security filing requirements of their own. Some products also fall under other agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration or the Consumer Product Safety Commission, with their own rules for admission.
The export side
Exporting has a different set of rules. Many shipments require electronic export information to be filed with the government before departure, and whether a license is needed depends on the item's classification and its destination, and sometimes on the end user. Most commercial goods can ship without a license, but that conclusion should come from a classification review rather than an assumption. Sanctions screening of buyers and their owners is part of every export, not only shipments to obviously restricted countries. The foreign country's import rules and duties also apply on arrival.
Contracts and first steps
Sale contracts and purchase orders should state the shipping term, which decides when risk and cost pass between seller and buyer, and who acts as importer at the destination. Payment terms, inspection rights, and dispute resolution provisions deserve attention before the first problem arises. Gather your product descriptions and specifications, supplier and customer details, and draft contracts. In a first meeting we identify your role on each side of the transaction, the agencies likely to be involved, and what should be in place before goods move.
