I. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. customs is administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) , an agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Key Points:
- U.S. import clearance must be handled by a Customs Broker licensed in the United States
- Non-U.S. companies or individuals cannot file directly with CBP
- CBP applies the "Reasonable Care" principle — importers are responsible for the accuracy of their declarations
II. Main Documents for U.S. Import Clearance
| Document | Description |
| Commercial Invoice | Product description, HS code (HTSUS), quantity, value, country of origin |
| Packing List | Packaging details, weight, volume |
| Bill of Lading (B/L) | Ocean bill of lading or air waybill |
| ISF Filing (Importer Security Filing) | Must be submitted 24 hours before vessel loading |
| AMS Filing (Automated Manifest System) | Sent by carrier or NVOCC (bill-of-lading level information) |
| Importer Security Filing (10+2) | ISF = 10 importer data items + 2 carrier data items |
| CBP Form 3461 (Entry Manifest) | Basic entry information |
| CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary) | Complete customs declaration (similar to China's customs declaration form) |
III. ISF/AMS Filings
3.1 ISF (Importer Security Filing)
ISF (Importer Security Filing) , commonly known as the "10+2" filing.
| Item | Requirement |
| Filing deadline | 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel overseas |
| Filer | Importer or their authorized customs broker/freight forwarder |
| 10 data items | Seller, buyer, importer of record number, consignee, manufacturer, ship-to party, port of destination, vessel/voyage, container stuffing location, goods information |
| 2 carrier data items | Vessel name and voyage number provided by carrier, container stowage plan |
Consequences of late or non-filing:
- Penalties (starting at $5,000)
- Goods subject to mandatory inspection at destination port
- In severe cases, goods may be denied entry
3.2 AMS (Automated Manifest System)
AMS (Automated Manifest System) is the manifest data sent to CBP by the carrier/NVOCC, completed before vessel loading.
AMS data is sent by the carrier; importers or forwarders must ensure the accuracy of AMS information.
IV. U.S. Tariff Inquiry
4.1 HTSUS Code
The U.S. uses the HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) coding system. The first 6 digits of the U.S. HS code are identical to China's, with the last 4 digits being U.S.-specific subdivisions (10-digit total).
How to look up:
- U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) website: hts.usitc.gov
- CBP website: www.cbp.gov/trade
4.2 Tariff Types
| Tariff Type | Description |
| MFN/NTR Rate (Most-Favored-Nation / Normal Trade Relations) | Applies to China and other WTO members (baseline rate) |
| Section 301 Additional Tariffs | Extra tariffs on specific Chinese goods (in effect since 2018) |
| General Rate | Applies to non-WTO members |
| Preferential Rate | Applies to countries with FTA with the U.S. (not applicable to China) |
4.3 Section 301 Tariffs
Since 2018, the U.S. has imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods under the "Section 301" investigation findings. As of 2026:
- Product scope: approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese goods
- Additional tariff rates: 7.5%–25% (depending on product category)
- Exclusion mechanism: some products may qualify for temporary exclusions through application
Impact on exporters: Exports to the U.S. must factor in both MFN rates and Section 301 additional tariffs, significantly increasing total tariff costs.
V. Major U.S. Regulatory Agencies
| Agency | Scope | Common Requirements |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) | Food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices | Product registration + import alerts + port inspection |
| CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) | Consumer goods (toys, electronics, apparel, etc.) | Product safety standards + test reports |
| USDA/APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) | Agricultural products, wood, animal/plant products | Phytosanitary permits + treatment certificates |
| EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) | Chemicals, pesticides | Registration + TSCA compliance |
| TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) | Alcoholic beverages, tobacco products | Import permits + label approval |
FDA Inspection
FDA enforces strict port-of-entry inspection for imported food, drugs, and cosmetics:
| FDA Inspection Type | Description |
| May Release | Low-risk goods released directly |
| Document Review | Documentation required for review (3–7 days) |
| Physical Examination | Sampling and testing (1–4 weeks) |
| Detention | Non-compliant goods detained; if not passed, must be returned or destroyed |
VI. U.S. Clearance Process Overview
① Pre-export: ISF filing (24 hours before vessel loading)
↓
② Post-export: AMS transmission (handled by carrier)
↓
③ Pre-arrival: CBP Form 3461 (Entry Manifest)
↓
④ Post-arrival: CBP review → Inspection (if applicable) → Duty payment
↓
⑤ Release
↓
⑥ Post-clearance: CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary, final filing)
VII. Clearance Recommendations for Exports to the U.S.
| Recommendation | Description |
| Secure a U.S. customs broker | Find a licensed U.S. customs broker before exporting |
| Don't miss ISF filing | ISF deadline is 24 hours before vessel loading — easy to overlook |
| Monitor Section 301 tariff updates | Additional tariff scope and rates are frequently adjusted |
| Product compliance in advance | Verify FDA/CPSC and other compliance requirements before shipping |
| Customs valuation | U.S. customs strictly reviews transaction value and related-party transactions |
📞 Bofeng Logistics provides customs consulting services for exports to the U.S. and can assist in connecting with partner U.S. customs brokers. For questions about U.S. clearance requirements or recommendations for partner brokers, please call 13075678958 or email info@zhbfwl.com. (Note: Destination customs clearance in the U.S. requires separate confirmation.)
📖 Next: 6.2 EU Import Clearance Guide — EORI, Import VAT, REACH, CE Certification
Bofeng Logistics specializes in domestic/international container shipping, Hong Kong/Macau dedicated logistics services, and value-added services (trucking, customs declaration, warehousing, insurance).
Customs declaration service areas: Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen.
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