
CBP Announces New Customs Requirements For Low-Value Shipments
In what seems to be a bid to curb Importer of Record (IOR) risks, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced new guidelines for correctly shipping your inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers in the US. It has also been speculated by Amazon forum members that the new measures aim at reducing the number of counterfeit goods on Amazon, most of which originate in China.
An IOR is a standard requirement for shipments of inventory that enter the United States from another country. However, Amazon, including its fulfillment centers, will not act as an IOR for any shipment of FBA inventory. This rule applies to all shipments of any size or value, regardless of origin and product. It’s essential not to leave this field blank on the customs entry form, as doing so may result in the shipment being refused and returned.
Since the IOR is the entity or person in the destination country responsible for ensuring compliance requirements are completed and met, they become liable for any goods that pass through CBP. The IOR is accountable for customs clearance, product classification, and the payment of duties and taxes. They are also the entity liable for all risk associated with clearing the goods.
Giving the correct information in the appropriate format ensures that goods imported to the US have a smooth transition through CBP. Additionally, merchandise owners who wish to take advantage of duty-free (Section 321 21) entry into the US need to supply information about their identity, such as their first and last name, or their company name, to CBP through the shipping manifest or customs entry form.
To assist sellers, Amazon suggests that you use this format on all import documentation:
- [Seller legal name] c/o FBA
- Fulfillment center address
If you’d like to learn more about how to properly format information about the merchandise owner in your customs documentation, we recommend reviewing CBP’s rules. Amazon has also stated that you should consult with your carrier or customs broker for further guidance about your shipments if you are in any doubt.
There’s also a lot of helpful information to be found over at Amazon’s Guide to Delivering Imports.
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