US customs clearance
US customs clearance for imports from China
What US Customs and Border Protection needs before your goods are released, the filings involved, and the mistakes that most often hold up shipments from China.
- Agency
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- Key filings
- ISF · entry · entry summary
- Typical clearance
- 1–3 days
Updated
The filings every shipment needs
Importer Security Filing (ISF)
Required for ocean shipments and often called "10+2": ten data elements from the importer — including the seller, buyer, manufacturer and HTS codes — and two from the carrier. It must be filed at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel in China. Penalties for late, inaccurate or missing ISF filings can reach $5,000 per violation.
Customs entry (CBP Form 3461)
The request to release the cargo, filed when the goods arrive or before. It's what allows the container to leave the terminal.
Entry summary (CBP Form 7501)
Filed within 10 working days of release, with the classification, value and country of origin of the goods, and the duties owed. Duties are paid with the entry summary.
Customs bond
A financial guarantee that duties and fees will be paid. It's required for formal entries, which generally means commercial shipments valued at more than $2,500. You can buy a single-entry bond for one shipment or a continuous bond that covers a year.
HTS classification
Every imported product is classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. The first six digits are shared internationally; the last four are specific to the US. The code sets the duty rate, determines whether Section 301 tariffs apply, and flags whether other agencies regulate the product.
Classification follows what the product is and what it's made of — not what you call it in your store listing. If you're unsure, you can request a binding ruling from CBP, which gives you certainty for future shipments of the same product.
Section 301 tariffs and other additional duties
Since 2018, the US has applied additional tariffs to a large share of goods made in China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. They're charged on top of the normal duty rate and depend on the HTS code. Other measures — including anti-dumping and countervailing duties on specific products — can apply too, and several tariff rates have changed more than once in recent years.
In practice, that means checking the current total rate for your specific HTS code before you place a production order, not after the goods have shipped. The difference between two plausible classifications can change your margin completely.
Country-of-origin marking
US law requires most imported goods, and their retail packaging, to show the country of origin in English where the end buyer will see it — typically "Made in China". The marking has to be legible and durable enough to survive until it reaches the customer.
Goods that are unmarked or wrongly marked can be held until they're re-marked at your cost, and may face an additional 10% marking duty.
Products regulated by other agencies
Customs clearance isn't only about CBP. Many products must also satisfy a partner government agency, and those requirements usually have to be met before the goods ship.
| Agency | Regulates | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| FDA | Food, cosmetics, medical devices, food-contact items, radiation-emitting products | Kitchenware, supplements, face masks, laser pointers |
| FCC | Electronics that emit radio-frequency energy | Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi devices, chargers |
| CPSC | Consumer product safety, especially for children | Toys, cribs, children’s clothing |
| EPA | Pesticides, engines and certain chemicals | Disinfectants, small engines, antimicrobial claims |
| USDA / APHIS | Plants, wood and animal products | Wooden pallets and crates, which must be heat-treated and stamped to ISPM 15 |
What happens if your shipment is examined
CBP selects a share of shipments for inspection, either at random or because something in the data invites a closer look. There are three main kinds:
- X-ray scan — the container is scanned without being opened. This usually adds a few days.
- Tail-gate exam — officers open the container doors and inspect the cargo at the back.
- Intensive exam — the container goes to a centralised examination station and is partly or fully unloaded. This can add one to three weeks, plus the station's fees, which the importer pays.
No one can promise a shipment won't be examined, but accurate documents, consistent product descriptions and correct values make it far less likely — and make exams quicker when they do happen. On DDP shipments, our licensed brokerage partners handle all of this for you.
FAQ
US customs clearance: common questions
The questions importers ask us before the first booking. If yours is not here, ask us directly — a real coordinator replies, not an auto-responder.
Do I need a customs broker to import from China?
It’s not a legal requirement — you can clear goods yourself — but most importers use a licensed customs broker because the filings are detailed and mistakes are costly. On DDP shipments, our brokerage partners handle it.
How long does US customs clearance take?
Usually one to three days when documents are complete and accurate. Examinations or requests from other agencies can add from a few days to several weeks.
What documents are needed to clear goods from China?
A commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading or air waybill, plus any agency-specific documents such as FDA prior notice for food or a Children’s Product Certificate for children’s items.
What is an importer of record number?
The number US Customs uses to identify the importer — usually the company’s IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN). Importers without one can obtain a CBP-assigned number.
What should I do if my shipment is on customs hold?
Find out which agency placed the hold and why. Most holds are resolved by supplying missing documents or completing an examination. Your broker should tell you exactly what is needed.