Importing 101The Naked Minimum

Anthony Chen@chenac89

2

The Problem

Importing products into the United States is a complicated, expensive and often mysterious process.

Sell to customers in the United

States

Buy materials or products from abroad

Arrange for freight

forwarding

Receive Commercial Invoice for

goods

Get quotes for freight

forwarding

Purchase U.S. Customs bond

A Consolidator consolidates the

goods

Receive Bill of Lading for goods

Goods are packed onto

vessel

File ISF with U.S. Customs before

shipment departs

Receive completed Importer

Security Filing

Vessel departs and is in transit

Receive Arrival Notice before vessel arrives

Arrival agent needs Original Bill of Lading

File Entry with U.S. Customs

before shipment arrives

Arrival Agent needs to give

their release of the goods

US Customs may examine

the goods

U.S. Customs needs to be paid examination fees

Arrival agent needs to be

paid

Warehouse needs to transport the

goods for holding

Warehouse needs to be

paid

Trucker needs to schedule a

time for pick-up

Provide the necessary

paperwork to pick up goods

Warehouse needs to give

their release of the goods

Arrange for trucking service

or pick-up

Receive the goods

Pay the customs duties

Confirm the product’s HTS

Code

Purchased goods need to be inspected

before packing

Get quotes for trucking

Chase, call, email all the

intermediaries

3

The Products

Confirm the product’s HTS Code ?

4

The Basics

> 100 kgs< 100 kgs

5

The Core Players

The Seller The Freight Forwarder

Your Company The Fulfillment Center

6

The Costs

1. Product

2. Fumigation Certificate

3. Quality Inspection

4. Freight Services

5. Cargo Insurance

6. U.S. Customs Bond

7. U.S. Customs Clearance

8. Arrival Agent

9. U.S. Customs Exams

10. Warehouse

11. Drayage & Trucking

12. U.S. Customs Duties & Fees

7

(Some of) The Pitfalls

Cultural Differences

Factory Delays & Terms

Regulations & Testing

Poor Communication

Weak Boxes

Bad Bathrooms

8

The Shipping

$ / kg $ / CBM

9

The Hotspots

San Francisco

Los Angeles

Chicago

Houston

Miami

New York City

Cincinnati

10

The Expectation

30 – 40 Days14 – 22 Days

11

The FOUR Takeaways

1. Know your product inside and out

2. Trust trustworthy partners

3. Budget for costs & pitfalls

4. Be flexibly smart

Anthony Chen

@chenac89

anthony@flexport.com

www.flexport.com