PRE-SHIPMENT CHECKLIST:
WHAT TO CONFIRM BEFORE CARGO LEAVES THE FACTORY

Before the first shipment, importers should confirm the IOR, broker POA, customs bond, HTSUS classification, country of origin, Section 301 applicability, AD/CVD risk, PGA requirements, ISF data, document templates, and post-entry recordkeeping process. This pre-shipment control point is the best opportunity to prevent delays and penalties.

Not usually. Trade discussions can influence market sentiment and future policy direction, but importers should continue to follow the active rules for manifest data, ISF, entry setup, duty planning, product admissibility and customs documentation until official requirements change.

Most formal commercial imports should begin with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, importer details, broker authority and bond setup. Depending on the product, additional documentation may be required for food, chemicals, wood products, consumer goods or other regulated commodities.

Many China-origin goods remain subject to Section 301 additional duties, and importers should check the current HTSUS and applicable Chapter 99 provisions before shipment. USITC’s China tariff reference states that importers should consult the HTS and related Federal Register notices for the official list of covered products.

Only if the processing in the third country creates a legally supportable new country of origin. Simple repacking, relabeling, or minor assembly generally creates significant risk if used to avoid China-origin tariffs. Importers should consider origin analysis and, where appropriate, a CBP ruling before changing supply-chain structures.

After release, importers and brokers should review the filed entry, check for errors, retain records, correct eligible issues where possible and manage any disputes or amendments within the required time windows.

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The Importer of Record, or IOR, should be the party legally responsible for the accuracy of the customs entry, payment of duties, and compliance with U.S. import laws. For many global traders, this may be a U.S. subsidiary, U.S. buyer, distributor, or qualified foreign importer structure, depending on the transaction model and Incoterms. Avoid using a borrowed IOR or borrowed customs bond, as this can create serious compliance exposure.

In some cases, a foreign company may act as a foreign Importer of Record, but it still needs a valid customs identity, broker authorization, customs bond, and a reliable compliance setup. DDP does not remove the need for proper importer responsibility. it simply shifts commercial responsibility for duties and import formalities to the seller under the sales agreement.

A customs Power of Attorney, or POA, authorizes a licensed customs broker to transact customs business on behalf of the importer. CBP emphasizes that brokers should validate the POA grantor’s identity, authority, business registration, importer number, and address because POA validity is critical to both customs compliance and cargo security.

No. Under CBP broker modernization requirements, a broker must execute a POA directly with the Importer of Record or drawback claimant, not through a freight forwarder or other third party. A third party may assist with translation or document handling, but it cannot replace direct authorization from the importer.

For most ocean cargo, Importer Security Filing, commonly known as ISF “10+2,” must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. Late, missing, or inaccurate ISF filings may result in penalties, cargo holds, increased inspection, or shipment delays.

Importers should classify goods using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States and maintain support for classification decisions. For complex or high-duty products, importers may search CBP’s CROSS rulings database or request a binding ruling from CBP before importation.

CBP communications state that, effective May 2, 2025, products of China and Hong Kong were no longer eligible for the de minimis exemption, and requests for de minimis clearance for ineligible shipments would be rejected. eCommerce sellers should review entry type, duty payment, data quality, and broker integration before shipping.

With the policy changes eliminating De Minimis exemptions on low-value imports from China, SEKO’s new DutyPay platform – launched in partnership with CustomsCity - helps our clients stay compliant and avoid delays.

Yes. SEKO can support the broader logistics and compliance workflow, including freight forwarding, document coordination, milestone visibility, ISF support, duty planning, reporting, and exception management. SEKO’s customs clearance services include import compliance consulting, real-time tracking, RLF, commodity specialists, bonds and insurance services, duty drawback, reconciliation, and classification/value assistance.

SEKO helps by integrating shipment planning, freight execution, customs documentation, visibility, reporting, and exception escalation. We provide 24/7 support, online tracking, image processing, global communications services, and direct links to AMS, ABI, and ACE applications.