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As a full service international trade and development
organization the WTCBN offers a range of assistance concerning
tariffs and taxes. The WTCBN provides cost analysis, support in
determining tariff rates and applicable value added tax (VAT)
assessments.
For more information or assistance please contact the WTCBN by
email at info@wtcbn.com, by
phone at 1.716.852.7160 or toll-free at 1.877.WTC.INTL
(U.S./Canada).
Customs
Regulations
Every country will have its own set of regulations
for the importation of products. Below are links to resources for the
United States, Canada and other countries.
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations –Title 19
(Customs)
http://www.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/cfrassemble.cgi?title=200019
Canadian Border Services—General Assistance
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/menu-eng.html
Foreign Country Tariff & Tax Information
http://www.export.gov/logistics/country_tariff_info.asp
International Law & Regulations
http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/nations.html
Bureau of Industry and Security
http://www.bis.doc.gov/
Documentation
For a list of the most commonly required shipping
documents when exporting from the United States:
http://www.export.gov/logistics/exp_docs_forms.asp
Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED)
The U.S. Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is a
required document for exportation of goods from the United States.
Exceptions to the requirement include most shipments valued at $2500 or
less and shipments destined to Canada.
New regulations will soon require SEDs to be
electronically filed using AESDirect. AESDirect is the U.S. Census
Bureau's free Internet based system for filing Shipper's Export
Declaration (SED) information to the Automated Export System (AES). It
is the electronic alternative to filing a paper SED.
An example of an SED can be found at:
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/forms/new-7525v.pdf
Instructions on how to complete SED
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/forms/correct-way-to-complete-the-sed.pdf
Commercial
Invoices
In most cases a commercial invoice is required for
both imports and exports. It is a bill for the goods from the seller to
the buyer. These invoices are often used by governments to determine the
true value of goods when assessing customs duties. Governments that use
the commercial invoice to control imports will often specify its form,
content, and number of copies required, language to be used, and other
characteristics.
The following gives instructions and examples on
how to prepare a Commercial Invoice:
United Parcel Service – Document Preparation
https://gtm.fedex.com/DOCASSIST?action=entry&cntry_code=ca_english&showEx=true#top
Export Licenses
An export license is issued to exporters by
governments to permit them to export certain goods to certain countries.
Such goods may be of strategic importance, or simply in short supply, or
are controlled to comply with foreign agreements. Not all products
require export licenses; country of destination and type of product will
usually determine if an export license is required. Certain dual use
(used for both military and civilian applications) or defense articles
will require an export license. Review the following to determine:
Export License Requirements
http://www.export.gov/regulation/exp_000966.asp
Certificate of
Origin
A Certificate of Origin is a document that
certifies the country in which goods for export or import were
manufactured. The commodity being exported or imported and its final
destination determine if one is required. Certificates of Origin are a
common feature of free trade agreements, and must be completed in order
to qualify for reduced duties. They may also be required in other
instances as some nations restrict imports from certain countries.
United Parcel Service – Certificate of Origin Page
provides an example of a completed certificate of origin in pdf format.
There is also a listing of countries and commodities which generally
require certificates of origin.
https://gtm.fedex.com/DOCASSIST?action=entry&cntry_code=ca_english&showEx=true#top
NAFTA
Certificate of Origin
A NAFTA Certificate of Origin is a Certificate of
Origin used specifically for products imported and exported between the
NAFTA countries of U.S., Canada and Mexico. The NAFTA Certificate of
Origin should only be completed for products exported to Canada or
Mexico that meets the NAFTA rules of origin. Only products that meet the
NAFTA rules of origin are eligible for the preferential duty rates.
Michigan District Export Council – NAFTA
Certificate of Origin Page
https://gtm.fedex.com/DOCASSIST?action=entry&cntry_code=ca_english&showEx=true#top
The Trade Information Center – NAFTA Certificate of
Origin Interactive Tool
http://web.ita.doc.gov/ticwebsite/ticit.nsf/
Letters of
Credit (L/C)
A Letter of Credit is a commitment, usually by a
bank on behalf of a client (usually a buyer of goods), to pay a
beneficiary (usually a seller of goods) a stated amount of money under
specified conditions. Letters of credit are still commonly used in
international transactions between parties that are unknown to each
other. The L/C ensures the seller payment provided the documents
presented comply with the conditions of the L/C.
Contact the following for more information about
letters of credit. JP Morgan Chase
http://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/smallbusiness/credit_loans/page/bb_trade_finance_options
M&T Bank
http://mandtbank.com/corporate/internat.cfm
HSBC Bank
http://www.us.hsbc.com/1/2/3/business/other/trade-services
ATA Carnet
An ATA Carnet is an internationally accepted
customs document that when presented to a foreign Customs agent, allows
merchandise and equipment to pass duty free and tax free into a country
for up to one year. At the end of the year all the items listed on the
carnet must be returned to the U.S. They are accepted in over 60
countries and territories. ATA Carnets cover virtually all goods.
However, carnets do not cover consumable goods (food and agriculture
products), disposable items, or postal traffic. ATA Carnet Information
Page outlines the basics of ATA Carnets and offers discussions of their
advantages. The site also gives a guide on how to obtain an ATA Carnet
and answers frequently asked questions about them.
http://www.atacarnet.com/home.aspx
The U.S. Council of International Business ATA
Carnet website, this site has basic information about the ATA Carnet,
frequently asked questions, as well as printable forms and pricing
information.
http://www.uscib.org/index.asp?documentID=2958 |
