Import Procedures: Bringing Agricultural Goods into the United States

Every commercial import needs an importer of record who is legally responsible for the accuracy of the entry, the correct tariff classification and payment of duties. That responsibility does not transfer to your broker or your supplier.

Food and agricultural products generally require FDA prior notice before arrival, and many plant products additionally require a USDA APHIS permit and phytosanitary certification from the country of origin. Filing prior notice late is one of the most common causes of a hold at the port.

Duty exposure depends on classification and origin. Preferential programmes can reduce or eliminate duty where the origin qualifies and the documentation supports it, so classification review before shipment usually pays for itself.

Model your landed cost honestly: product price, inland freight at origin, terminal handling, ocean freight, insurance, duty, customs fees, destination handling, delivery and any inspection costs. A quote that only covers the first two lines is not a comparison.