Plain-English guides to U.S. customs brokerage, bonds, tariffs, USMCA, FDA/FSVP, country of origin, customs clearance, and CBP forms — updated for 2026.
What customs brokers actually do, when you need one, what they cost, and how to choose between licensed brokers, freight forwarders, and full-service partners.
A customs broker is a licensed professional authorized by CBP to conduct customs business on behalf of importers. They file entries, classify goods, and ensure compliance.
Read guide →Customs brokers file CBP entries, classify HTS codes, calculate duties, manage PGA filings (FDA/USDA/EPA), coordinate ISF, and enforce trade compliance. 8 core jobs explained.
Read guide →US brokerage fees range from $100–$250 per entry plus surcharges — most importers pay $8K–$15K/yr all-in. Exact broker fees by service type, what's padded, and how flat-rate pricing compares.
Read guide →You need a customs broker if you're importing commercial goods valued over $2,500 into the United States. Here's when hiring one is required, optional, and critical.
Read guide →Verify CBP licensing, check industry specialization, compare pricing, evaluate technology, and assess response time. 7 things to look for when choosing a broker.
Read guide →A licensed customs broker has passed a federal exam and is authorized by CBP to conduct customs business on behalf of importers. Why licensing matters for your imports.
Read guide →A customs broker handles regulatory compliance and CBP filings. A freight forwarder manages logistics and transportation. Most importers need both. Here's why.
Read guide →Importing from Mexico under USMCA: rules of origin docs, country-of-origin compliance, cross-border brokerage. Flat-rate pricing with no surcharges, transparent 2026 quotes.
Read guide →Single entry vs. continuous bonds, when CBP requires one, how much they cost, and what e-commerce sellers need now that de minimis is gone.
Single entry bond vs continuous customs bond: real customs bond cost ($50–$100/shipment vs $400–$500/year), CBP Form 301, and 2026 import bond requirements.
Read guide →Customs bond required for imports over $2,500, ALL FDA-regulated goods (any value), and AD/CVD imports. Decoder guide with exceptions, bond amount math, and 2026 rules.
Read guide →Every e-commerce shipment over $2,500 requires a customs bond. With de minimis gone, DTC brands need bonds for the first time. Single entry vs. continuous — which to choose.
Read guide →Who actually pays tariffs, how Section 301 stacks on top of MFN duty, and the real landed cost math for clothing, footwear, and DTC imports from China.
The U.S. importer of record pays tariffs on imported goods, not the foreign exporter or consumer. Full 2026 explainer covering importer vs exporter liability and pass-through math.
Read guide →A tariff is a tax on imports. A duty is the specific amount owed. In practice, "tariff" and "duty" are used interchangeably in U.S. customs. The precise distinction.
Read guide →DTC brands importing from China face tariffs stacking 40–100%+: Section 301 (25–100%), Section 232 (25%), AD/CVD. De minimis suspended. Real landed cost math inside.
Read guide →Complete Section 301 tariff list with all four lists, HTS codes, duty rates, and product categories. Which Chinese imports face 7.5% to 25% additional tariffs.
Read guide →HTS duty rates for 2026: cotton t-shirts 16.5%, wool coats 17.5%, leather shoes 8.5–10%, synthetic shoes up to 48%. Section 301 stacking on China can take landed cost to 145%.
Read guide →Eight-step workflow from import duty payment to export matching, ACE claim filing, CBP review, refund, and audit-ready documentation.
Read guide →CBP's substantial transformation test, why origin determines duty rate and FTA eligibility, and the civil/criminal penalties for getting it wrong.
CBP determines country of origin via substantial transformation and tariff shift rules. Origin drives duty rate, FTA eligibility, and AD/CVD. Wrong answer = up to 4x duty penalties.
Read guide →CBP penalty tiers under 19 USC 1592, seizure risk, origin fraud red flags, and prior disclosure steps that can reduce importer liability.
Read guide →Copy-paste certificate of origin fields, USMCA data-element notes, origin support checklist, and common supplier certification mistakes.
Read guide →USMCA rules of origin, certification fields, the July 2026 sunset review, IMMEX/maquiladora program for cross-border manufacturers, and the nearshoring playbook.
USMCA qualifies goods 4 ways: tariff shift (HTS chapter/heading), 50–75% RVC (transaction value) or 40–50% (net cost), 10% de minimis, $16/hr labor test for autos. Worked examples + Certificate template.
Read guide →USMCA origin criterion codes (A, B, C, D) and the 9 required certification data elements. Miss any field and CBP denies preferential treatment — duties reassessed at MFN plus 19 USC 1592 penalties.
Read guide →USMCA broke old NAFTA filings: 75% auto RVC (up from 62.5%), $16/hr labor test, stricter tariff-shift rules, 10% de minimis, mandatory July 2026 sunset review.
Read guide →Chinese components don't automatically block a USMCA claim — but you must pass the tariff shift or RVC test first. Exactly when you qualify and how a broker files it correctly.
Read guide →Mexico's IMMEX (maquiladora) program lets manufacturers import materials duty-free for export. Full 2026 guide for U.S. importers and CBP compliance.
Read guide →Nearshoring to Mexico: 4–8 weeks for U.S. customs setup, 3–6 months for Mexican entity. USMCA qualification, Chinese component rules, and CBP transshipment risk traps.
Read guide →Foreign Supplier Verification Program, FDA detentions, food labeling enforcement, importing fresh produce, and the FDA-specific compliance traps that cause most refusals.
The Foreign Supplier Verification Program is mandatory for every U.S. food importer. 64% of FDA inspections result in failures. Step-by-step compliance guide.
Read guide →Confirm your hazard analysis, supplier approval, verification records, and FDA response process are inspection-ready. Field-by-field audit prep.
Read guide →What to do in the first 60 minutes after FDA detains a food shipment, including testimony, ITACS, reconditioning, and refusal risk.
Read guide →Estimate the real cost of an FDA detention by SKU, including storage, testing, relabeling, spoilage risk, reconditioning, and margin loss.
Read guide →A practical guide to the FDA labeling issues food importers should watch in 2026, including allergens, claims, nutrition panels, and misbranding risk.
Read guide →FDA says IOR and FSVP importer may be different entities. Misassign them = detention, refusal, and 19 USC 1592 penalties up to 4x unpaid duties. Assignment guide inside.
Read guide →FDA revoked Red No. 3 in food. What the January 15, 2027 deadline means for food importers, private label brands, and overseas suppliers.
Read guide →Importing fresh produce needs FDA prior notice, USDA/APHIS permit, phytosanitary certificate, cold treatment/fumigation. Step-by-step 2026 guide with timelines and common rejections.
Read guide →Step-by-step CBP form completion guides and what each clearance status actually means for your shipment.
CBP Form 5106 registers your business as importer of record with CBP. Required BEFORE first formal entry. Field-by-field completion guide with EIN/SSN rules and common errors.
Read guide →The entry summary is where classification, valuation, origin, duties, MPF/HMF, and importer liability become final. Field-by-field importer guide to CBP Form 7501.
Read guide →What CBP uses to decide whether cargo can be released. Learn the data elements, 3461 vs. 7501 timing, and release-delay mistakes importers can prevent.
Read guide →Single transaction vs. continuous bond, Activity Code 1, surety roles, bond amounts, and common importer mistakes that delay release.
Read guide →How in-bond cargo moves before final customs clearance, who controls the bond, and what arrival/export deadlines matter.
Read guide →A Form 28 is CBP asking for proof before it decides. Response strategy, document packet checklist, deadlines, and escalation risks.
Read guide →What proposed vs. taken action means, when duties may change, and how importers should respond before liquidation or penalty exposure grows.
Read guide →What does customs clearance completed mean, how long does customs clearance take, and the full customs clearance process — explained for 2026.
Read guide →How foreign companies set up as U.S. importer of record: CBP Form 5106, broker POA, customs bond, identity number, and compliance responsibilities.
Read guide →What “in customs,” “held,” “PGA review,” “released,” “clearance completed,” “entry summary filed,” and “liquidated” actually mean.
Read guide →Detailed compliance guides for the new Greenwich focus sectors: electronics distributors, aerospace precision shops, EV battery importers, robotics companies, and AI compute hardware teams.
Distributor-focused audit guide for HTS 8536/8538/8541/8542 imports from China, Section 301 stacking, exclusions, PSC/protest candidates, and broker instructions.
Read guide →Customs-side evidence for titanium, Inconel, specialty steel, bearings, valves, AS9100 flows, Section 232 exposure, and DFARS/counsel handoff.
Read guide →EV battery and drivetrain import guide for HS 8507/8504/8501, FEOC evidence, UFLPA screening, hazmat documentation, and broker controls.
Read guide →Robotics import playbook for HS 8507.60 lithium batteries, motors, controllers, sensors, first-import setup, supplier evidence, and UFLPA traceability.
Read guide →Datacenter hardware guide for HTS 8471/8473/8542, GPU/accelerator imports, first-sale valuation evidence, cooling/power/optics, and EAR/BIS handoff.
Read guide →First-time importer onboarding for DTC brands, Shopify and Amazon sellers importing inventory at scale, and the unique compliance challenges of subscription-box companies.
De minimis is gone. Every DTC brand now needs formal customs entry. Step-by-step guide to becoming an importer of record, getting a bond, and filing your first entry.
Read guide →Shopify and Amazon sellers importing inventory must comply with CBP requirements. De minimis is gone — every shipment needs formal entry, HTS codes, and a customs bond.
Read guide →Subscription box companies importing products face unique customs challenges: mixed-content shipments, variable HTS codes, and recurring imports requiring continuous bonds.
Read guide →Book a free 30-minute consultation with a licensed customs broker. We'll walk through your imports, flag risk, and quote a flat-rate filing fee.
Book a Free Consultation