First-Time Import Guide
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delivery to your door
6 Easy Steps to Importing
Step 1
Finding a Supplier for your Goods
Let’s say you’re importing fitness equipment from China. How do you go about finding a supplier? We recommend using Alibaba, and searching for vendors that have years in business and positive reviews from customers such as yourself.
Step 3
Ocean Freight Shipping Terms
Your manufacturer can offer you shipping solutions such as direct delivery to your nearest US Port, with insurance included. This is known as CIF shipping, which is a shipping incoterm. While convenient, it is also much more expensive because you do not have control over shipping costs and shipping methods from the manufacturer’s warehouse.
As a global freight forwarder, we can assist you in transporting your cargo from the manufacturer to your door at a competitive price with our FOB or EXW incoterm shipping solutions.
Step 5
USA Customs Clearance
Every product entering the US must clear customs. Depending on the nature of your product, you will need to pay customs duties and fees based on its HTS code. You will also need a single entry bond or a continuous bond, which guarantees payment of duties to CBP in the event payment isn’t received.
A single entry bond covers only one shipment at one port of entry. The value of the bond must be at least equal in value to the cost of the shipment. For products under the jurisdiction of other government agencies (FDA,EPA, NHTSA, etc.) the single entry bond amount must be 3 times the value of the goods + customs duties & fees.
A continuous bond covers multiple shipments over the course of a year at any US port of entry. The minimum coverage of a continuous bond is $50,000, and will be a better deal if you plan to import more than one container per year. It also covers the ISF bond requirements as well.
Step 2
Container Size
Depending on the weight, quantity, and dimensions of your cargo, you’ll need to select the correct container size to safely transport your container once it arrives to the US. If your cargo is over 37,000 lbs. for a 20ft it will be considered overweight and will require a triaxle chassis to be moved safely. A 40ft container over 44,000 lbs. will be considered overweight as well.
ISF Filing
Before your cargo leaves the port at the country of lading (China for example) your customs broker must file an ISF to alert US Customs and Border Protection that your cargo is on its way to the US. Failure to file an ISF at least 24 hours before departure from the foreign port can result in a $5,000.00 penalty.
You will need 3 documents to file an ISF.
1) Commercial Invoice with product description, value, and HTS code
2) Packing List
3) Bill of Lading
Step 6
Pier Pass
If your container is arriving at the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach, you must clear PierPASS, which is a not-for-profit company created by the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) member container terminal operators at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, air quality and security.
The two fees charged per container by PierPASS are below.
Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF): Currently $35.57 for a 20ft container or $71.14 for a 40ft container.
Clean Truck Fee (CTF): $10.00 fee per 20ft container, or $20.00 per 40ft container.
You can create an account with PierPASS here.
Step 1
Finding a Supplier for your Goods
Let’s say you’re importing fitness equipment from China. How do you go about finding a supplier? We recommend using Alibaba, and searching for vendors that have years in business and positive reviews from customers such as yourself.
Step 2
Container Size
Depending on the weight, quantity, and dimensions of your cargo, you’ll need to select the correct container size to safely transport your container once it arrives to the US. If your cargo is over 37,000 lbs. for a 20ft it will be considered overweight and will require a triaxle chassis to be moved safely. A 40ft container over 44,000 lbs. will be considered overweight as well.
Step 3
Ocean Freight Shipping Terms
Your manufacturer can offer you shipping solutions such as direct delivery to your nearest US Port, with insurance included. This is known as CIF shipping, which is a shipping incoterm. While convenient, it is also much more expensive because you do not have control over shipping costs and shipping methods from the manufacturer’s warehouse.
As a global freight forwarder, we can assist you in transporting your cargo from the manufacturer to your door at a competitive price with our FOB or EXW incoterm shipping solutions.
ISF Filing
Before your cargo leaves the port at the country of lading (China for example) your customs broker must file an ISF to alert US Customs and Border Protection that your cargo is on its way to the US. Failure to file an ISF at least 24 hours before departure from the foreign port can result in a $5,000.00 penalty.
You will need 3 documents to file an ISF.
1) Commercial Invoice with product description, value, and HTS code
2) Packing List
3) Bill of Lading
Step 5
USA Customs Clearance
Every product entering the US must clear customs. Depending on the nature of your product, you will need to pay customs duties and fees based on its HTS code. You will also need a single entry bond or a continuous bond, which guarantees payment of duties to CBP in the event payment isn’t received.
A single entry bond covers only one shipment at one port of entry. The value of the bond must be at least equal in value to the cost of the shipment. For products under the jurisdiction of other government agencies (FDA,EPA, NHTSA, etc.) the single entry bond amount must be 3 times the value of the goods + customs duties & fees.
A continuous bond covers multiple shipments over the course of a year at any US port of entry. The minimum coverage of a continuous bond is $50,000, and will be a better deal if you plan to import more than one container per year. It also covers the ISF bond requirements as well.
Step 6
Pier Pass
If your container is arriving at the Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach, you must clear PierPASS, which is a not-for-profit company created by the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) member container terminal operators at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, air quality and security.
The two fees charged per container by PierPASS are below.
Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF): Currently $35.57 for a 20ft container or $71.14 for a 40ft container.
Clean Truck Fee (CTF): $10.00 fee per 20ft container, or $20.00 per 40ft container.
You can create an account with PierPASS here.
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Testimonials
What our customers say
David Robles
“Absolutely a fantastic experience working with Comex logistics. They are great on drayage, ocean freight and truckloads. Customer service is professional and friendly, They always provide me with regular updates on our cargo shipments.”
“We have been working with comex logistics llc for a couple of years now and they’ve provided amazing services throughout that time. We used to work with TQL and the service and price are incomparable.”
Alberto Díaz Padilla
Robbert Jan Van Wingerden
“Erik is a straight shooter when it comes to doing business. He pays on time and as agreed in original quote. I appreciate that a lot. It makes it a little easier to be a trucker with forwarders like Erik & Comex Logistics. Looking forward to doing business for many years going forward.”
“I’ve tried several delivery companies in the past, but Comex Logistics is by far the best. It has exceeded my expectations in every way. Their delivery services are fast, reliable, and affordable – what more could you ask for?.”
Adan Bugarin
“Comex Logistics provided outstanding service with timely delivery and excellent customer support. My shipment arrived in perfect condition, and I couldn’t ask for more, I highly recommend using Comex Logistics.”