Importing: The Entry Process

Import Duty

When a shipment reaches the United States, the importer of record (i.e., the owner, purchaser, or licensed customs broker designated by the owner, purchaser, or consignee) will file entry documents for the goods with the port director at the goods' port of entry.

Imported goods are not legally entered until after the shipment has arrived within the port of entry, delivery of the merchandise has been authorized byUS Customs and Border Protection (CBP) , and estimated duties have been paid. It is the importer of record's responsibility to arrange for examination and release of the goods.  

Customs brokers are the only persons who are authorized by the tariff laws of the United States to act as agents for importers in the transaction of their customs business.

Customs brokers are private individuals or firms licensed by CBP to prepare and file the necessary customs entries, arrange for the payment of duties found due, take steps to effect the release of the goods in CBP custody, and otherwise represent their principals in customs matters. The fees charged for these services may vary according to the customs broker and the extent of services performed.

A nonresident individual or partnership or a foreign corporation may issue a power of attorney to authorize the persons or firms named in the power of attorney to issue like powers of attorney to other qualified residents of the United States and to empower the residents to whom such powers of attorney are issued to accept service of process on behalf of the nonresident individual or organizations.

It is  your responsibility to comply with the record keeping requirements of US Customs Law. Importers must maintain copies of all documents relating to their importations for a period of five years. Customs has the right to inspect such records, on reasonable advance notice, to determine whether or not an importer has complied with US Customs laws. Importers that fail to comply with the record keeping requirements of US Customs Law expose themselves to monetary penalties.

For more info see
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/sitemap.xml 

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IMPORT DUTY

Import duty refers to the tax an importer must pay to the US Government in order to bring foreign products into the commerce of the United States.

Import duty can be calculated in a variety of ways, but most import duties are figured as a percentage of the declared value of the commodity. Import duty differs from product to product and is dependent on the commodity being imported, its declared value, its country of origin, and other factors like anti-dumping legislation and quota controls. Import duty values can be as low as zero or as high as 100% (or more) of the product's declared value.

When is import duty due?

Import duty is due for payment when the goods arrive in the United States at a US Customs port with the intent to unload the goods and enter them into the commerce of the United States.

Who is responsible for paying the import duty?

Paying the import duty is the responsibility of the importer, who is indebted to the Government of the United States for the importation of their goods. Making a payment to a third part (an agent or Customs broker) is not in itself sufficient for repayment. Importers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the debt is settled.

How do I pay import duty?

Import duty payments can be made in two ways:

    * Through a licensed Customs Broker (usually by check or bank draft made out to the broker, or separate checks to US Customs and the broker).

    * Or directly via check or bank draft to US Customs.

For more information see  http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/index.htm

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