For sellers who want to ship from China, shipping goods to the US market by sea requires a series of complex and compliant documents. If the documents are missing or the information is wrong, it may lead to cargo detention, customs clearance delays, and even fines. This article will combine the latest policies and industry pain points, and provide sellers with a clear list of shipping documents and solutions from the perspective of Chinese procurement service providers, and recommend professional service support.
Whether it is a full container load (FCL) or a less than container load (LCL), the following documents are indispensable:
Function: The core basis for declaring the value of goods and calculating tariffs.
Required information: buyer and seller information, product description (product name, material, use), unit price, total price, trade terms (such as FOB, CIF), currency type.
Under-declared or vague product names are prone to customs inspections. Cnstorm provides invoice template review services to ensure compliance with the US Customs AMS (Automated Manifest System) requirements. If the information does not match the actual goods, it may trigger customs inspection or fines. You need to use professional customs declaration software or entrust a service provider (such as CNstorm) to check the information to ensure 100% accuracy.
Function: List the volume, weight, and packaging method of the goods for customs verification.
Key details: details of each box, outer box dimensions, gross weight/net weight, and total number of boxes.
If the list does not match the actual packing, the goods may be seized. So take photos when packing and check them one by one with the packing list.
The ocean bill of lading is issued by the transportation company or its agency, proving that the goods have been handed over to the carrier and are in transit. It is not only a proof of the transportation contract, but also a certificate of ownership of the goods during transportation.
Proof of ownership of the goods, the shipper, consignee, quantity of goods, and name of the goods must be indicated.
Type: Ocean B/L or Telex Release.
Note: The consignee on the bill of lading must be the same as the customs clearance party. If the e-commerce seller uses Amazon FBA, it is necessary to confirm whether it needs to be "Amazon designated freight forwarder". The loss of the original bill of lading may result in the inability to pick up the goods. You can choose a freight forwarder that provides electronic bill of lading (Telex Release) services to avoid the risk of paper documents.
The certificate of origin indicates the place of production or processing of the goods. For some specific goods, the customs may require this certificate.
Purpose: Prove the origin of the goods, a necessary document to enjoy tariff preferences, and affect the tariff rate (such as additional tariffs imposed by the Sino-US trade war).
Applicable scenarios: Some goods can enjoy preferential tariffs with the Generalized System of Preferences Certificate of Origin (Form A). If the goods contain ingredients from multiple countries of origin, they must be explained in proportion. You can ask the supplier for the certificate of origin in advance, or entrust the service provider to handle it on your behalf.
During the transportation process, in order to ensure the safety of the goods, many sellers choose to purchase transportation insurance for the goods. The insurance policy is a document that proves that the goods have been insured.
Necessity: The risk of marine transportation is relatively high (such as damage and loss of goods), so it is recommended to purchase "All Risks" insurance.
Small and medium-sized sellers often ignore insurance and need to bear the loss themselves after the goods are damaged.
ISF declaration (Importer Security Filing): It must be submitted 24 hours before loading, including 10 items such as supplier, consignee, container loading information, etc.
Customs clearance power of attorney (POA): If the buyer does not have US import qualifications, he must entrust a customs clearance agency to act as an agent.
FDA certification: Food, drug, and cosmetic products must provide US FDA access documents.
FCC certification: Electronic products must comply with electromagnetic compatibility standards.
DOT certification: Auto parts products must be certified by the US Department of Transportation.
Textiles: Must comply with US textile labeling regulations.
Test report (such as CE, RoHS): not mandatory but can speed up customs clearance.
Wooden packaging declaration: Fumigation certificate (IPPC mark) is required for wooden pallets.
If the goods contain dangerous goods (such as perfume, batteries): provide information such as hazard category, quantity, UN number, etc. Failure to declare or incorrect declaration may result in the destruction of the goods. If the shipper is required to pay the US import customs clearance fee, the US customs clearance agency will require the Chinese exporter to sign a POA before shipment. The arrival notice is an arrival notice issued by the shipping company or airline to the consignee or its agent to inform them to prepare for customs clearance procedures. ISF declaration, also known as the "10+2 new regulations", is an import security declaration system required by the US Customs. The declaration must be completed within 48 hours before sailing.
Carefully understand the customs requirements and import regulations of the target country and prepare relevant documents according to the requirements. Reasonably plan the import process and choose a suitable logistics partner.
Understand and comply with the special requirements of the U.S. Customs, such as ISF declaration, fumigation of wood packaging, etc. Ensure that all documents comply with the regulations of the U.S. Customs to avoid customs clearance delays caused by document problems.
Insufficient space and changes in shipping schedules may result in the inability to book space during peak seasons (such as e-commerce shopping festivals) or special circumstances (such as shipping company capacity adjustments). It is necessary to lock the space 30-45 days in advance and choose a freight forwarder that provides expedited services.
Damage to goods and label detachment. When improper packaging or moisture or collision during transportation may cause damage to the goods. Professional packaging services (such as wooden box reinforcement and moisture-proof treatment) are required in the early stage, and ensure that the labels are clear and readable.
Missing documents, incorrect information or customs inspections may extend customs clearance time. Choose a freight forwarder that provides one-stop customs clearance services to ensure that the documents are complete and meet U.S. Customs requirements.
As a professional Chinese procurement service provider, Cnstorm provides comprehensive logistics solutions to help you prepare and manage the documents required for shipping to USA to ensure smooth customs clearance of goods. By understanding and preparing these documents, you can effectively avoid customs clearance delays and additional costs. If you need more help, please contact Cnstorm.
The documents and procedures for shipping to the United States may seem complicated, but with the help of professional service providers, e-commerce sellers can significantly reduce the operational threshold and focus on product selection and marketing. Whether you are a novice trying sea shipping for the first time or a veteran who wants to optimize logistics costs, Cnstorm can tailor a solution for you.
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