Customs is where unprepared importers lose days and money. These guides demystify HS classification and duty rates, incoterms, the bill of lading and commercial invoice, ISF filing, customs bonds, anti-dumping duties, product certifications and the full clearance process — so your goods clear on the first attempt rather than sitting in a bonded warehouse accruing charges.
Anti-dumping and countervailing duties can add 25% to 250% on top of standard tariffs for certain China-origin products. Here is how they work and how to find out if your goods are affected before the shipment arrives.
Read guideThe Bill of Lading is more than a receipt — it's a legal document that controls who owns your cargo. Here's what every importer needs to know about B/L types and common costly mistakes.
Read guideA Certificate of Origin isn't just paperwork — under the right trade agreements, it can legally reduce or eliminate import duties on goods from China. Here's how it works and when to use it.
Read guideTwo documents, one job — getting your goods through customs without delays. Here's exactly what belongs on each, why mismatches trigger holds, and how to get them right the first time.
Read guideA customs bond is a financial guarantee required for most US commercial imports. Here is how both bond types work, what they cost, and who issues them.
Read guideWhat actually happens when your shipment hits the border, why delays happen, and how to avoid demurrage charges eating into your margins.
Read guideIf you import goods into the US and then re-export them or use them to manufacture products that leave the country, you may qualify for a refund of up to 99% of the duties you paid.
Read guideHow to find the right HS code, what it does to your duty bill, and why a wrong digit can hold your shipment at the border.
Read guideFood, cosmetics, medical devices, and other regulated goods require import permits in most markets. Here's how to find out before your cargo lands.
Read guideEXW, FOB, CIF, DDP — what each one really means for your wallet and your risk when buying from China, and which to pick as a new importer.
Read guideIf you're importing into the US by ocean, ISF must be filed 24 hours before loading. Missing it costs $5,000 per violation. Here's how it works.
Read guideShipping a product that requires certification into the wrong market without it means seizure at the border or forced recall. Here's which certifications apply where — and who's responsible for getting them.
Read guide