Sending a package to the USA: the necessary documents
The complex regulatory system regarding shipments to the USA requires attention, scrupulousness and specific knowledge of customs regulations, all elements necessary to avoid a package being blocked at the border, generating economic losses and the buyer's discontent. But what do you need to send a package to America? This is the essential documentation:
Business invoice. It is an extremely important document and must state, in English:
- Name and address of the sender and recipient;
- Detailed and precise description, in English, of the goods contained in the package;
- Customs codes of reference for the types of goods present;
- Quantity, net and gross weight per item, value per piece and total, specifying the currency;
- Country where the products were manufactured;
- Reason for export (retail sale, supply of samples not intended for sale and other).
Waybill. It is represented by the label placed on the package by the courier and contains the code that identifies the shipment, as well as the sender and recipient data.
Modules CN22 and/or CN23. They specify the contents of the shipment and its value.
VAT number or Tax Code. You must enter the sender's details and, in the case of a B2B shipment, also the recipient's details.
Free export declaration. It certifies that the seller complies with the regulations in force in the country to which the goods are being shipped.
It is also important to underline that in the case in which you intend to market food and wine products and, for example, sending bottles of wine to the USA, you need to have the FDA barcode. But which goods can be sent without problems and which are subject to restrictions? Here are some indications.
What You Cannot Ship to the United States
The United States is a key trading partner for European countries, thanks to the many types of products that can be marketed without any particular restrictions. However, those who wish to sell online in the North American country must strictly observe the customs regulations and the regulations issued by other government agencies regarding imports: any blocking of goods, fines and delays would in fact create a waste of time and money. It is also essential to verify that your goods are not subject to restrictions or bans on marketing. Products that cannot be shipped to the USA include:
- Items that infringe international copyright laws;
- Most fresh meats;
- Narcotics and potentially harmful drugs (such as those containing certain types of steroids);
- Goods manufactured in countries subject to a trade embargo;
- Weapons not approved by the relevant U.S. authorities;
- Protected animal species;
- Products derived from endangered species.
Among the products that can be shipped to the USA but for which US customs requires licenses, certifications or authorizations from the competent federal agencies, the following are worth mentioning:
- Most food products;
- Toys and children's goods;
- Guns and ammunition;
- Gold, silver and diamonds;
- Household goods;
- Commercial and industrial equipment;
- Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment;
- Pesticides;
- Textiles, wool and fur.
For companies and e-commerce businesses that intend to ship to the USA, dealing with all this may not be easy. Adequate and prepared professionals are needed to manage the regulatory context and its variables, based on the type of products, in the appropriate ways and times. A package blocked at customs risks becoming a cost and creating dissatisfaction in the end customer, generating not only economic damage but also damage to your image. For this reason, more and more companies are turning to specialized players, professionals in the sector capable of choosing the best logistics solutions and producing the necessary documentation to ship a package to the USA without inconvenience.
MBE Shipping is the service that helps SMEs and artisans manage an international shipment with a 360° approach and complete knowledge of all the necessary procedures and documentation.
Through complete support before, during and after the shipment, the MBE Centers help your company simplify procedures and expand your business.
