🇨🇦 Canada → 🇺🇸 United States

Shipping Timeline from US

US → China: Ocean (LA→Shanghai) 15-20 days, $2,500-4,000/FEU. Air 3-5 days, $5-8/kg. US → Japan: Ocean (LA→Tokyo) 10-14 days, $2,000-4,000/FEU. Air 2-3 days, $5-8/kg. US → EU: Ocean (NY→Rotterdam) 10-14 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. Air 1-2 days, $4-7/kg. US → Korea: Ocean 12-16 days, $2,000-3,500/FEU. EEI filing: must be done before export. AES processing: near-instant.

Commercial Invoice

Required for all shipments. Must include: seller/buyer info, description of goods, quantity, unit value, total value, country of origin, HTS classification. Must be in English.

Packing List

Detailed list of goods in each package/container, including weights, dimensions, and marks/numbers.

Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

Transportation document issued by carrier. Ocean: Bill of Lading (B/L). Air: Airway Bill (AWB). Required for cargo release.

CBP Form 3461 (Entry/Immediate Delivery)

Filed electronically through ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). Initiates the customs entry process.

CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary)

Detailed declaration with tariff classification, duty rates, and payment. Filed electronically through ACE.

Get an Importer Number

Apply for an Importer Number by filing CBP Form 5106 or using your IRS business registration number. All importers need this before bringing goods into the US.

Obtain a Customs Bond

A Customs Bond is required for all formal entries (goods valued over $2,500). Can be single-entry or continuous (annual). Typical cost: $50-500/year for continuous bond.

File ISF 10+2 (Importer Security Filing)

Must be filed at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto vessel bound for the US. Contains 10 data elements from importer + 2 from carrier. Penalty: $5,000 per violation, up to $10,000 per filing. IMPORTANT (2025 change): CBP has decentralized ISF enforcement to individual ports. Penalties are now issued directly by port directors within 90 days, with NO prior warning. C-TPAT members may receive 50% penalty reduction.

Submit Entry Documents (CBP Form 3461)

Entry documents must be filed within 15 calendar days of arrival. Can be filed up to 5 days before arrival. CBP will determine if goods can be released.

Submit Entry Summary (CBP Form 7501) and Pay Duties

Entry Summary with duty payment must be filed within 10 working days of goods release. This is when tariffs, taxes, and fees are assessed and paid.

Entry Types

Formal Entry (Type 01): Required for goods >$2,500 or restricted goods. Requires customs bond, CBP Form 3461 + 7501. Informal Entry (Type 11): For goods ≤$2,500. Simplified procedure, no bond required. FTZ Entry (Type 06): Admission to Foreign Trade Zone, duties deferred.

FCC Equipment Authorization

Required for all electronic devices that emit radio frequency energy. Two types: (1) Certification (FCC ID) for intentional radiators (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular). (2) Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) for unintentional radiators (computers, monitors).

FDA Prior Notice & Registration

Required for food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, tobacco. Food facilities must register with FDA. Prior notice must be filed before food arrives in US (web, mail, or fax).

CPSC Product Safety

Consumer products must comply with applicable CPSC safety standards. General products: GCC (General Certificate of Conformity) based on manufacturer testing. Children's products: CPC (Children's Product Certificate) from CPSC-accepted third-party lab.