Guides
Guides for importers and Amazon sellers
Customs, Incoterms and shipping into Amazon, explained from the rules themselves, with the sources on every page.
Free for sellers: no credit card, and nothing is booked until you accept a bid.
- ISF filing: the 10+2 rule for ocean freight into the US
ISF filing for ocean imports into the US explained: the 24-hour deadline, the ten data elements, the bond, the $5,000 liquidated damages and who files it.
- Importer of record: who takes responsibility for your import
What the importer of record is responsible for in a US import, who can be one, what a non-US seller needs, and why Amazon will not act as importer for FBA.
- Customs bond: what it guarantees and which one you need
A customs bond explained for US importers: when you need one, continuous or single-entry, how CBP sizes it, the ISF bond, and when the carrier’s covers you.
- Incoterms for Amazon sellers: FOB vs EXW, and the rest
FOB vs EXW and the other Incoterms an Amazon seller meets when buying from China: who clears export, where risk passes, and which term to agree with a supplier.
- Freight terms glossary: shipping terminology in plain English
Freight terms an importer meets from quote to delivery: FCL and LCL, CBM, bill of lading, demurrage, ISF, bonds, HTS codes, Incoterms and Amazon FBA terms.
- Amazon FBA pallet requirements, box limits and shipping from China
Amazon FBA pallet requirements from Seller Central: 40 × 48 in pallets, 1,500 lb, 72 in high, labels, wrap, box limits, floor-loaded containers and imports.
- What is an HS code, and how to find the right one
What an HS code is, how the 10-digit US HTS code builds on it, how to look one up, binding rulings, and what misclassifying goods can cost an importer.
- Landed cost: what it includes and how to work it out
Landed cost for US importers: the goods, freight, duty, MPF and harbor fee, broker and delivery, how customs values goods, and how to work it out per unit.
- Demurrage vs detention: what you are charged for, and how to avoid it
Demurrage vs detention for US importers: when each is charged, free time, what the FMC billing rule says an invoice must show, and how to dispute one.
- FCL vs LCL: a full container or shared space
FCL vs LCL for importers: how each is priced, when a full container is cheaper than shared space, how LCL is handled, and the ISF rules for LCL cargo.
- Air freight vs sea freight: how to choose per shipment
Air freight vs sea freight for importers: chargeable weight, what each mode suits, lithium battery rules for air, ISF for sea, and how to choose per shipment.
- Shipping from China to UK: what an importer needs
Shipping from China to UK for online sellers: GB EORI, import VAT and postponed accounting, commodity codes, the £135 rule, customs agents and Amazon.
- Shipping from China to Canada: what an importer needs
Shipping from China to Canada for online sellers: business number and import account, CARM, non-resident importers, GST and the surtaxes on Chinese goods.
- Shipping from Vietnam to USA: what an importer needs to know
Shipping from Vietnam to USA for importers and Amazon sellers: the Section 301 tariff on Vietnamese goods, rules of origin, UFLPA checks and customs set-up.
- Shipping from India to USA: a guide for importers
Shipping from India to USA for importers and online sellers: the Section 301 tariff on Indian goods, export documents, main ports and the US customs set-up.
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