Frequently Asked Technical Trade Questions

 

 Export-

 

 Import-

         

 Research-

 

 Fraud Prevention-

           

 Country Specific Information-

 

           

         

 Finding PA companies that export

 

n  Harris Industrial Directory – electronic version  http://www.harrisinfo.com, or www.companyreach.com

  Allows for some free searching before you need to subscribe.

n  PIERS database gives you shipping manifest information - $$$$ www.piers.com

n  Local Chambers sometimes publish directories, check with the  Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org ,  Lancaster Chamber, www.lcci.com , the York Chamber www.yorkchamber.com or with the Berks County Chamber, www.berskchamber.org

n  Look at the World Trade Center of Central Pennsylvania  website for member companies, www.wtccentralpa.org

n  Kompass database, $$$, but some limited searching, www.Kompass.com

n  The Thomas Register of Manufacturers, www.thomasregister.com

n  Can utilize the Lancaster Library Duke Business Center

 

Finding PA companies

 

 

How do I obtain credit information on a company in another country

 

n  Check with your bank – the international department

n  Dun & Bradstreet http://www.dnb.com/local_home/local_home_US/   

n  Owens, http://www.foreigncreditreports.com/creditreports.htm

 

 

Where to I get a Certificate of Free Sale?

For food items, please contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s          

Food Safety Department, at (717) 787-4248, contact: Norma Burrs

For more information on Free Certificate for Vietnam, click here

 

 

Export Licensing and Export Controls

 

Relatively few exports require an export license. Licenses are required in certain situations involving national security, foreign policy, short-supply, nuclear non-proliferation, missile technology, chemical and biological weapons, regional stability, crime control, or terrorist concerns. License requirements are dependent upon an item's technical characteristics, the destination, the end-use, and the end-user, and other activities of the end-user.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which regulate the export and reexport of most commercial items. BIS regulates "dual-use" items - items that have both commercial and military or proliferation applications - but purely commercial items without an obvious military use are also subject to the EAR.  More information can be found on their website, http://www.bis.doc.gov/exportlicensingqanda.htm

The EAR do not control all goods, services, and technologies. Other U.S. government agencies regulate more specialized exports. The Energy Department controls nuclear technology and technical data for nuclear power. The Treasury Department is responsible for economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries and their agents, terrorists and terrorism-sponsoring organizations, and international narcotics traffickers. 

The U.S. Department of State has authority over defense articles and defense services through the International Trade in Arms Regulations.  Their website:  http://pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar_official.html

 

DO I NEED A VISA TO TRAVEL TO CHINA?

U.S. citizens traveling to China must obtain a Chinese visa before embarking on the trip. A few different types of visas are issued to visitors, including the tourist visa (Type L) that allows the bearer one to two entries, and to stay for up to one month each time. Short-term business visas (Type F) are issued to travelers who are invited to visit for business or research purposes and require a formal invitation from a Chinese host organization. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates can only issue such invitations to U.S. Government employees on official business. Business travelers on short-term excursions for meeting or site-visit purposes, generally apply for either the Type L or Type F visa. Consult the Chinese Embassy or Consulate General on obtaining the right type of visa, or apply through a travel agency.

 Here is the link to the Visa Section on the Chinese Embassy website:

 http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84247.htm

  The State of Pennsylvania is covered by the Chinese Consulate in New York:

(212) 244-9456 or (212) 244-9392

You cannot apply for a visa by mail or courier services, however, you can use a travel agent or visa agent to go through the process on your behalf.  Here is one of the agencies used for obtaining visas - there are many others and you may want to contact your travel agent as well:

 

CIBT, Inc.

60 East 42nd Street

Suite 760

New York, NY  10165

800-929-2428

www.cibt.com

 

 

Secretary of State (Pennsylvania) Certification

For documents that need to be authenticated by the Commonwealth’s Secretary of State, contact the Certification Section in Harrisburg, at (717) 787-5280.

 

 

When do I need to Fill out a Shippers Export Declaration?

An exporter must fill out the SED for shipments in the following
circumstances:
Shipments of commodities valued at over $2,500 per Schedule B number
transported by any means other than the postal service.
Postal shipments of over $500 in value.
All shipments (regardless of value) that require an export license from any
government agency, or that are subject to the International Traffic in Arms
Regulations, and all shipments to certain countries that are embargoed.
There are exceptions to the list above, please check the Census website at:
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/

 

 

 

    What is a certificate of origin?

 A Certificate of Origin is a document required by certain foreign countries for tariff purposes.  Customs officials use the Certificate of Origin to determine whether a preferential duty rate can be applied to the imported products, due to trade agreements or preferential trading status for the country of origin.   Even if your commercial invoice includes a statement of origin, some countries require that a separate certificate be completed.  You may be able to utilize a generic form, however, some countries require specific Certificates of Origin, so double check requirements and check with your importer.  While some countries require certificates for all products, others may only require them for certain types of products.   For example most Middle Eastern countries require Certificates of Origin for all shipments, most Latin American and European countries only require the certificate for certain products, such as textiles, and most Asian countries do not require Certificates of Origin at all.

Basic information needed for the Certificate of Origin include a description of the goods,  the origin of the goods, gross and net weight of goods, number of packages, mode of transportation, date and origin of shipment, and an address for the seller and buyer.  A sample copy of the generic Certificate of Origin can be found on the US Department of Commerce's website:  http://www.export.gov/static/Certificate_of_Origin_Latest_eg_main_018141.pdf



 

How do I know what documentation is required for my shipment?

Information about country documentation requirements can be accessed on the TIC (Trade Information Center) Internet website at http://www.export.gov/tic by first clicking on “Country Information,” then clicking on the region of interest on the multi-colored map of the world, and finally clicking on the country of interest. Once you have selected the country, click on “All Documents” and review any with “Documentation” or “Certificate of Origin” in the title.  You can also call the Trade Information Center by telephone at 1-800-USA-TRADE.

 

      Trademarks in Canada

Companies interested in getting their name trademarked in Canada should start by viewing the website of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. It offers straight forward instructions as to how to go about registering a trade mark here. One thing they do note is that the product or trade name must be in the market or in use before it can be registered. In terms of the process, some people use the services of a trade market agent which can facilitate the process. If they want to do search of the Trade Marks Database that can also be done on line.   

 

      International Per Diem Rates

The State Department has an updated schedule on their website for foreign countries, by city

http://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp

 

 

What if your product is stuck in customs?

Find out as quickly as possible what caused the delay with the import of your product.  Goods that are delayed by customs are not stored for free and demurrage charges are usually paid by the seller or exporter. 

Most Common Problems:

·         Misclassification

·         Improper documentation

·         Higher duties than expected

·         Labeling issues

·         Import/packaging regulations of the receiving country

 

Next Steps:

·         Get in touch with the buyer/importer. Chances are they are more familiar with the local practices and can find out what needs to be done.

·         Talk to your shipping company.

·         Contact the US Commercial Service office in the receiving country. (see export.gov for a listing)

·         Contact the foreign customs' office.

 

Import Security Filing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be requiring an Importer Security Filing (ISF) (formerly known as the 10+2) prior to vessel loading at foreign ports. The ISF generally will consist of 10 additional data elements from U.S. importers. In addition 2 data set items will be required from carriers. The Importer Security Filing and additional data from carriers will enhance CBP’s ability to identify high-risk cargo shipments.

Customs and Border Protection has recently released an informational brochure on Importer Security Filing or "10+2" designed specifically for SMEs.  This brochure has been developed with the intentions of being provided to walk-ins at every port of entry to help ensure all SMEs are aware of the implications of "10+2."

 The following link is the FAQ on the new requirements under this ruling and what the above has been excerpted from. http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/import_faq.ctt/import_faq.pdf

 

Customs also is doing outreach seminars to provide information on this. The following link is the schedule.  http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/09_outreach_schl.xml

 

For more information on this, here is a link to additional information on the Customs's site regarding this topic: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/

 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently released an informational brochure on Importer Security Filing or "10+2" designed specifically for SMEs. This brochure is available on CBP's website.  This brochure has been developed with the intentions of being provided to walk-ins at every port of entry to help ensure all SMEs are aware of the implications of "10+2."

 

What is the difference between the Schedule B codes (for exports) and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes (for imports)?

 

(the following information comes from the US Census Bureau website http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/faq/sb/sb0008.htmland from the US International Trade Commission website http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/) 

 

All of the imports and export codes used by the United States are based on the Harmonized Tariff System (HTS). The Harmonized Schedule (HS) is an international system used by the United States and most of our trading partners as the basis for reporting statistics as well as the collection of import duties.

The HTS assigns 6-digit codes for general categories. Countries which use the HTS are allowed to define commodities at a more detailed level than 6-digits, but all definitions must be within that 6-digit framework.

The U.S. defines products using 10-digit HTS codes. Exports codes (which the U.S. calls Schedule B) are administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. Import codes are administered by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC).

Export codes, also known as Schedule B numbers, are administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. Schedule B is the Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities exported from the United States. The Schedule B contains approximately 8,000 individual 10-digit commodity numbers covering everything from live animals and food products to computers and airplanes, including a distinction between civilian and military airplanes. Every item being exported from the United States falls under a particular Schedule B number.

Web sites for U.S. import and export HTS codes:

 

 

Finding your correct Schedule B code

 One way to find your product’s Schedule B code is to search at the Census site using keywords http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/

 (be creative in choosing key words and try several different ones).  Make sure that you are choosing the correct number, if there is any doubt, you can get an official ruling through U.S. Customs. You can also search Rulings that Customs has already made.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/rulings/

 

  

Precautions to Take Against Fraud/Scammers

From the FBI website (http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/internetschemes.htm#top):

 When receiving an inquiry from a foreign company/individual, you should be very cautious and make sure you really know the company that is making the inquiry.

Some tips and signs to watch for to protect your company against scams/fraud are listed below.

  • Don't invest in anything based on appearances. Just because an individual or company has a flashy web site doesn't mean it is legitimate. Web sites can be created in just a few days. After a short period of taking money, a site can vanish without a trace.

  • Don’t invest in anything you are not absolutely sure about. Do your homework on the investment to ensure that it is legitimate.

  • Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate.

  • Check out other web sites regarding this person/company.

  • Don’t judge a person/company by their web site.

  • Be cautious when responding to special investment offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).

  • Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country.

  • Inquire about all the terms and conditions.

  • If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

  • Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments.

  • Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.

  • Send them e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn't required to open the account.

  • Consider not purchasing from sellers who won't provide you with this type of information.

  • Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.

  • Beware when responding to e-mail that may not have been sent by a reputable company

More information on Identifying Business Scams: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/smbuss/adv-fee-scam/adv-fee.htm

Fact on Email Scams and Top Email Scams:

http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/email-scams.aspx

Internet Fraud:

http://www.importers.com/TradeSafeTips2.php

Eight Ways to Avoid Fraudulent Activities (http://resources.alibaba.com/article/7061/Preventing_fraud_when_sourcing_from_overseas.htm)

1.     Educate yourself. Remember that there are several types of scams, learn what scammers are looking for. Watch out for new scams.

2.     Investigate. Do a thorough investigation yourself. Do not depend on message board answers, because the same person who is trying to scam you might respond to your message with positive comments

3.     Be patient. Do not make quick decisions. That is what exactly scammers want you to do, to make fast irrational decisions. Remember that every journey starts with a single step.

4.     Use common sense. Look for red-flags like high returns, complex transactions and letters or messages that are not professionally written.

5.     Do not be greedy. Do not let greed drive you to take an unnecessary risk. Remember the old saying "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!"

6.     Be skeptical. Question every aspect of transaction very carefully. It is good business.

7.     Ask for references. Check with government agencies including trade agencies or chamber of commerce of the seller or buyer country, invest time to verify legitimacy of the company or individual.

8.     Country of origin. The location of a scammer is irrelevant a scammers can be any where including in your community.

Website Fraud Warnings from the State Department http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

 

Proctecting Your Business from Credit Card Fraud (from the US Department of Commerce)

What can you do to protect your business against credit card fraud?

  • Work with your card company. Sign up to participate in authentication programs such as Verified by Visa and MasterCard’s SecureCode.

  • When taking orders over the phone or Internet, ask the customer for the card’s expiration date and include it in your authorization request. An invalid or missing expiration date can be an indicator that the customer does not have the actual card, but merely the credit card number. 

  • Use fraud detection tools such as the card’s validation code as part of the authorization process. 

  • Be wary of multiple credit card numbers being supplied for purchases from a single IP (Internet Protocol) address. 

  • Be wary of orders charged to multiple cards and destined for the same street address. 

  • Be alert for transactions with more that one of the following characteristics: first-time customer, the customer does not appear to have a “working” knowledge of the item requested, “big-ticket” items, multiples of the same item, requests for expedited shipment for items of seemingly low value/importance, and orders shipped to an international address (wherein a simple Internet search reveals that the “Ship To” address is located in the area of airport cargo terminals/freight forwarders).

 

 

INCOTERMS

Developed by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), INCOTERMS are a codification of rules for the interpretation of sales terms used in export/import transactions. INCOTERMS 2000 is a collection of 13 internationally used terms of sale. (Please note that FOB is one term that often causes confusion with the commonly used domestic term)

For an in-depth look at each INCO term, please see the following website: http://www.iccwbo.org/incoterms/id3040/index.html

 

Country of Origin Marking Requirements

Below please find the official "county of origin" marking requirements from CPB  (U.S. Customs and Border Protection - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/)

County-Of-Origin Marking: 

U.S. customs laws require that each article produced abroad and imported into the United States be marked with the English name of the country of origin to indicate to the ultimate purchaser in the United States what country the article was manufactured or produced in. These laws also require that marking be located in a conspicuous place as legibly, indelibly and permanently as the nature of the article permits. Articles that are otherwise specifically exempted from individual marking are also an exception to this rule. These exceptions are discussed below.

Markings Required:

If the article¾or its container, when the container and not the article must be marked¾is not properly marked at the time of importation, a marking duty equal to 10 percent of the article’s customs value will be assessed unless the article is exported, destroyed or properly marked under CBP supervision before the entry is liquidated.

Although it may not be possible to identify the ultimate purchaser in every transaction, broadly stated, the “ultimate purchaser” may be defined as the last person in the United States who will receive the article in the form in which it was imported. Generally speaking, when an article is imported into and used in the United States to manufacture another article with a different name, character or usage than the imported article, the manufacturer is the ultimate purchaser. If an article is to be sold at retail in its imported form, the retail customer is the ultimate purchaser. A person who subjects an imported article to a process that results in the article’s substantial transformation is the ultimate purchaser, but if that process is only minor and leaves the identity of the imported article intact, the processor of the article will not be regarded as the ultimate purchaser.

When an article or its container is required to be marked with the country of origin, the marking is considered sufficiently permanent if it will remain on the article or container until it reaches the ultimate purchaser.

 

When an imported article is normally combined with another article after importation but before delivery to the ultimate purchaser, and the imported article’s country of origin is located so that it is visible after combining, the marking must include, in addition to the country of origin, words or symbols clearly showing that the origin indicated is that of the imported article, and not of any other article with which it has been combined. For example, if marked bottles, drums, or other containers are imported empty to be filled in the United States, they shall be marked with such words as “Bottle (or drum or container) made in (name of country).” Labels and similar articles marked so that the name of the article’s country of origin is visible after it is affixed to another article in this country shall be marked with additional descriptive words such as “label made (or printed) in (name of country)” or words of equivalent meaning.

 

In cases where the words “United States” or “American” or the letters “U.S.A.” or any variation of such words or letters, or the name of any city or locality in the United States, or the name of any foreign country or locality in which the article was not manufactured or produced, appear on an imported article or container, and those words, letters, or names may mislead or deceive the ultimate purchaser about the article’s actual country of the origin, there shall also appear, legibly, permanently and in close proximity to such words, letters or name, the name of the country of origin preceded by “made in,” “product of,” or other words of similar meaning.

 

If marked articles are to be repacked in the United States after release from CBP custody, importers must certify on entry that they will not obscure the marking on properly marked articles if the article is repacked, or that they will mark the repacked container. If an importer does not repack, but resells to a repacker, the importer must notify the repacker about marking requirements. Failure to comply with these certification requirements may subject importers to penalties and/or additional duties.

For a list of articles that are not required to be marked to indicate country of origin, as well as a listing of exceptions please check the CPB website: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/

Unless an article being shipped to the United States is specifically named on the CPB list, it would be advisable for an exporter to obtain advice from CBP before concluding that it is exempted from marking. If articles on the foregoing list are repacked in the United States, the new packages must be labeled to indicate the country of origin of the articles they contain. Importers must certify on entry that if they repackage, they will properly mark the repackaged containers. If they do not package, but resell to repackagers, they must notify repackagers about these marking requirements. Failure to comply with these certification requirements may subject importers to penalties and marking duties.

 

What is a Foreign-Trade Zone?

In the United States, the federal government has the authority to approve the creation of a foreign- trade zone (FTZ).  The creation and development of individual zone projects, such as York Zone 147,  are usually the result of combined efforts from private and public sector entities. York Zone 147: http://ftz147.org/

 

Foreign-Trade Zones are treated as being outside the Customs Territory of the United States for the purposes of tariff laws and Customs entry procedures. Therefore foreign and domestic merchandise may be admitted into zones for storage, exhibition, assembly, manufacture and processing, without being subject to formal Customs entry procedures, the payment of Customs duties or the payment of federal excise taxes. When merchandise is removed from a foreign-trade zone, Customs duties may be eliminated if the goods are then exported from the United States.

 

If the merchandise is formally entered into U.S. commerce, Customs duties and excise taxes are due at the time of transfer from the foreign-trade zone. For a company, zone status provides an opportunity to reduce certain operating costs associated with a U.S. location that are avoided when operating from a foreign site.

 

What are the benefits of being in a FTZ?

 Deferral of Duties:

Customs duties are paid only when and if merchandise is transferred into U.S. Customs Territory. The benefit equates to a cash flow savings that allows companies to keep funds available for operations while the merchandise remains in the zone. There is no limit on the length of time that merchandise can remain stored in a zone.  

Reduction of Duties:

In a Foreign-Trade Zone, users may elect a zone status on merchandise admitted to the zone. The zone status determines the duty rate that will be applied to foreign merchandise if it is ultimately entered into U.S. Commerce. This permits FTZ Users to elect the lower duty rate applicable to either the imported parts or the finished product manufactured in the zone.

Elimination of Duties:

Customs duties are not paid on merchandise exported from a FTZ. Duty is eliminated on foreign merchandise admitted to a zone but subsequently exported from the FTZ. Generally, Customs duties are also eliminated from merchandise that is scrapped, wasted, destroyed or consumed in a zone.

 

Export Control Classification Number – ECCN

An ECCN is a 5 character, alphanumeric reference number used by the US Commerce Department to classify products on the Commerce Control List for export control purposes.   

 

The most current version of an alphabetized listing of controlled items can be found on the following website: http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/pdf/indexccl.pdf .  If you go to http://www.access.gpo.gov/bis/ear/ear_data.html, you will also find each category as a separate chapter, like nuclear materials, electronics, computers etc.

 

The guidelines for requesting the commodity classification number are on the BIS website, http://www.bis.doc.gov/licensing/cclrequestguidance.html

 

 

 

Qualifying for duty free preferential rates when exporting to Australia

Information on the rules of Origin under the Australia - United States Free Trade Agreement, AUSFTA, can be found on the US Commercial Service website, http://www.buyusa.gov/australia/en/fta.html as well as on the Australian Customs site http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=6016 site

The first step in determining your current duty is to determine your tariff classification code (http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/schedules/b/)    Then visit:  http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=5663 and scroll down to Chapter 5 – US Originating Goods and download the appropriate book to find your current duty rates. If not, you can also browse this site to find the appropriate chapter that might describe your product.  You can also have Australian Customs verify your code – this requires some paperwork and submission of data.  You will need to submit a Tariff Advice Application (B102 – attached to this email) to a Customs Office.  Customs will then provide you with the tariff classification number in writing.  You should submit illustrative descriptive material (IDM) with your Tariff Advice Application.  IDM may include, but is not limited to, photographs, website addresses, a sample of your product, product specifications, etc.  This IDM will assist Customs in classifying your goods.

 

What countries does the United States have Free Trade Agreements with?

The United States has free trade agreements in force with 17 countries. The most current list of trade agreements, their status, and the full text for each agreement can be found on the website of the United Stated Trade Representative, http://www.ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements

These are:

The United States has signed free trade agreements with Colombia, Korea, and Panama, but Congress must enact legislation to approve and implement each individual agreement in order for them to go into effect.

 

Information regarding Certificate of Free Sale for Vietnam

 Certificate of Free Sale- Decision can be viewed here

Decision 10/2010/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister dated February 10th, 2010 regulating the issue and requirement of Certificate of Free Sale ("CFS") for import and export products and goods ("Decision 10").

 As defined in Article 4.1  of Decision 10, CFS is "the certificate issued by the competent regulatory authority of the exporting country to the exporter of those products and goods ("products") named in the CFS confirming that such products and goods are produced and permitted to free sale in that exporting country".

 For the exporters of products manufactured in Vietnam, this Decision provides a clear mechanism for obtaining CFS for their products if such certificate is required by the targeted importing countries. It is the right, not the obligation, of these exporters under Decision 10 to apply for CFS for the said exporting products where needed.

For the importers of products and goods for sale in Vietnam market, CFS will be required for those imported products published by relevant ministries in accordance with the list provided in Annex 1 of Decision 10.

There are 14 ministries and the relevant groups of products under their administration are listed in Annex 1 making it clear where the exporters in a certain industry will submit their application to for obtaining the CFS for their products. It is also clear which group of imported products may be subject to the requirements of CFS by Vietnamese authorities. For example, the Ministry of Health may publish a list of cosmetic products for which the CFS issued by their manufactured countries (i.e. the exporting countries) shall be required when they are imported for sale in Vietnamese market.

For the importers, CFS is an additional document required in case the relevant authority of Vietnam determines that a certain product or group of products within the list of Annex 1 should be imposed with stricter administration in order for them to be imported for sale in Vietnam. Currently, such requirement has been applied to import of products belonging to several sectors, for example, the import of some kinds of medicine or chemical substances for the use in rearing and grow aquatic products under Circular 60 in 2009 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.  

As stipulated in Article 17 of Decision No. 10/2010/QD-TTg above, CFS is only required in case the branch (e.g. Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) requires CFS in the dossier submitted to the Ministry to be granted the certificate as prescribed by law (such as product disclosure, circulation registration, etc.,). 

With the expansion of the number of sectors in which CFS is required for relevant imported products, many more importers in more sectors will have to obtain this document or an equal alternative. This may delay the procedure for importing products in Vietnam, particularly for those products manufactured in countries where there are not mechanisms for obtaining/issuing CFS. 

The contents of CFS issued by Vietnamese authorities will consist the following information:

- name of the issuing authority;

- reference number of the CFS;

- issuing date

- name of products/goods

- class or group of products/goods;

- name and address or the manufacturer

- declaration that the product/good is manufactured and freely sold in the market of the manufacturing country;

- name and title of the issuing official and seal of issuing authority.

 

 

Is a way to get US import duties waived or refunded based on the parts being incorporated into finished equipment? (Duty Drawbacks)

There is a procedure called “duty drawback” which allows you to recover up to 99% of all customs duties paid on any imported materials contained in the exported product.  The program is administered by CPB (Customs and Border Protection, which is part of Homeland Security), here is a link to their website section dealing with drawback and a pdf file with basic info is attached as well: http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/drawback/ 

There are many freight forwarders who will handle the drawback paperwork (for a fee) and there are consultants who specialize in this.

 

Importing Products into the US

For detailed information on importing products into the United States, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Custom and Border Protection agency has pertinent information on import regulations and requirements.  These include:

-           “Tips for New Importers and Exporters”   http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/diduknow.xml

-           “Importing into the United States” a 200 page booklet http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.pdf

-          and a list of prohibited/restricted items:  http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml

 For industry specific regulatory requirements:

-           importing food items, (the FDA has a good overview):  http://www.fda.gov/Food/InternationalActivities/Imports/default.htm, 

-          importing medical devices (the FDA has a good overview):  http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/ImportingandExportingDevices/ucm050126.htm

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

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