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CBP, BIS, FDA, FCC, USDA
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We navigate the logistics, regulations, and compliance, connecting global businesses to a growing digital economy. We help you import compliantly, reduce risks, and accelerate your time to market.
Yes, we can—for eligible shipments. One Union Solutions provides Importer of Record services directly through our own registered US business entity. Under US customs law, simply possessing an importer number does not grant legal standing to clear goods. An importer must possess a verifiable legal right to make customs entry under 19 USC 1484. During our initial shipment review, we define and separate each legal role: the official Importer of Record Service, the licensed customs broker, the receiving consignee, and any designated product-regulatory agents.
This service is ideal for overseas businesses shipping IT, telecom, or corporate hardware to a US client, data center, or colocation facility that will accept physical delivery but will not assume legal importer responsibilities. Even with an established IOR Service, your shipment requires accurate 10-digit tariff codes (HTS), substantiated commercial valuations, documented country of origin, continuous customs bonds, and all required agency test certificates. Simply share a brief overview of your shipment with our team. We evaluate your transaction and outline the exact documentation required before accepting your cargo.
We manage the Importer of Record Service role directly through our own US operating structure—we never hand off your shipment to unvetted third parties. To protect commercial confidentiality and maintain regulatory security, we share our formal corporate details, licenses, and contracts directly with you during qualified onboarding. We do not publish local company names or physical office addresses on this public website.
Importing commercial equipment into the United States requires meeting strict statutory customs milestones before cargo departs the origin facility. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces clear legal requirements across identity verification, security filings, and entry documentation:
Under US entry law, the Importer of Record Service must be an eligible owner or purchaser of the goods, or an appropriately designated licensed customs broker. Simply being named as the delivery warehouse or local recipient does not confer the legal right to make customs entry. 19 USC 1484
Importers must maintain an active identity record with CBP via Form 5106. This filing connects your legal business name, address, and corporate officers with your IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a CBP-assigned custom number. All shipping paperwork must match this record precisely. CBP Form 5106
Every commercial import requires an authorized entry type (such as an 01 consumption entry) supported by a valid customs bond to guarantee payment of duties and taxes. Declarations are transmitted electronically through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), where entry summary details correspond to CBP Form 7501. ACE entry summary
For maritime shipments, an Importer Security Filing (ISF-10) is mandatory. Under standard regulations, 8 core data elements must be submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before the container is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port. Failure to file on time triggers severe fines and cargo holds. 19 CFR 149.2
While standard business hardware does not need a universal import license, specialized equipment is strictly regulated by Partner Government Agencies (PGAs). Electronic, wireless, medical, and chemical products require specific permits, testing certificates, or registrations prior to release. US government import guidance
Customs duties are calculated using the active Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States on the official date of entry. To establish true duty exposure, product classification, certified country of origin, and valuation methods must be determined together. USITC tariff schedule
Selecting the correct entry route before booking freight determines your legal requirements, tax treatment, and required documentation. Every customs procedure serves a distinct operational purpose:
For permanent equipment installations, your initial priority is establishing who can lawfully act as the Importer of Record Service. One Union Solutions reviews your shipment to verify that our US operating entity lawfully fits your commercial transaction. We never permit the informal use of a company name or customs importer number without a documented agreement. Establishing the legal right to make entry and authorizing a licensed broker to file declarations are two separate legal verifications. 19 USC 1484
In select scenarios, an overseas corporation may explore qualifying as a “nonresident importer.” Under 19 CFR 141.18, a nonresident company must appoint a US resident agent and obtain specialized customs bonds. This approach requires its own dedicated legal evaluation and is entirely distinct from appointing One Union Solutions to manage the IOR Service role directly. Nonresident corporation requirements
Current rule watch: Executive Order 14411 (issued 3 June 2026) directs federal authorities to strengthen customs enforcement, tighten importer eligibility standards, and increase scrutiny on foreign-importer bonds. Because regulatory agencies implement these mandates in phases, we review active CBP instructions and live enforcement dates during onboarding rather than assuming all announced measures are immediately operational. Executive order and implementation directions
This guidance applies strictly to the official US customs territory, which comprises the 50 US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. If you are shipping to other US territories or outlying destinations, distinct customs rules and territorial requirements may apply. Customs territory definition
International technology suppliers and enterprise teams typically utilize our US Importer of Record services across four primary operational scenarios:
For broader deployment planning, explore our data center services. For end-to-end commercial freight execution, review our DDP services. All services remain subject to shipment assessment and formal acceptance.
In international logistics, confusing commercial terms with statutory customs designations causes border holds and unexpected tax liabilities. US customs regulations strictly divide the legal obligations of each party in a transaction:
Customs clearance only permits cargo to enter US borders physically; placing equipment into service requires compliance with federal technical and safety standards. The checkpoints below outline what triggers regulatory oversight (they do not imply that every item requires identical licenses):
In addition to product safety standards, every shipment must undergo rigorous screening for international trade sanctions and forced-labor risks. Simple automated name-matching is insufficient for comprehensive legal compliance. Furthermore, when moving advanced computing or telecommunications technology, verify US export and re-export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Note that an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is completely distinct from an import tariff classification (HTS). OFAC screening · CBP forced labor · BIS export-control guidance
Accurate landed-cost forecasting requires verifiable transaction data rather than rough estimates. Your calculation begins with three essential elements for every line item: the full 10-digit US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code, the verified country of origin, and a supportable customs valuation. You must also evaluate active Chapter 99 measures, trade remedies, or section tariffs applicable on the date of entry, as base tariff rates alone do not reflect final duty exposure. USITC HTS
Under US customs law, valuation is typically based on “transaction value” (the price actually paid or payable), subject to statutory additions for packing, assists, royalties, and selling commissions under 19 CFR 152.103. When equipment is transferred for a lease, demonstration loan, internal company transfer, warranty repair, or free replacement, declaring a nominal or zero-dollar invoice value is strictly unlawful. Importers must apply an approved alternative customs valuation methodology and maintain documentation substantiating the declared value.
A complete import budget must account for customs duties, the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF), the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) for qualifying ocean freight, continuous bond charges, customs brokerage fees, agency filing costs, international freight, and local transport. Potential contingent expenses—such as customs physical examinations, document hold charges, or port demurrage—should also be factored into financial planning. CBP fee table
Unlike many international jurisdictions, the United States does not levy a federal Value Added Tax (VAT). Instead, individual US states and municipal jurisdictions administer their own sales and use tax systems. State sales tax obligations operate independently of federal customs clearance and depend on the specific commercial sale and final delivery location. Appointing an Importer of Record Service does not create an automatic state tax exemption or guarantee tax recovery. OECD US consumption-tax summary
To ensure complete compliance and eliminate border delays, our pre-shipment evaluation follows four structured milestones:
You provide your broad product category, intended equipment use, and whether the movement is permanent, temporary, or returning from abroad. One Union Solutions evaluates your corporate structure and identifies the lawful importer route, preventing unsupported IOR Service appointments and establishing a verified service scope.
You supply technical specifications, exact model numbers, and transaction details through our secure onboarding channel. One Union Solutions audits HTS classifications, rules of origin, customs values, restricted-party screenings, and regulatory triggers (such as FCC, FDA, or EPA rules) to identify missing certifications before freight is booked.
You confirm the shipping mode (air or ocean), consignee identity, commercial Incoterms, and cargo readiness schedule. One Union Solutions coordinates customs power of attorney, arranges required customs bonds, files ocean ISF data at least 24 hours prior to foreign loading, and finalizes duty funding arrangements to ensure all regulatory requirements are met before cargo moves.
You follow agreed dispatch instructions and supply any supplemental details requested by authorities. One Union Solutions manages the customs entry, oversees duty settlement, and communicates directly with customs or agency inspectors. Once released, delivery is coordinated to your facility, and full customs records are archived for the mandatory five-year retention period. (Please note that customs authorities retain final discretionary authority over inspections and release; no provider can guarantee instantaneous clearance.)
Getting started is straightforward and designed to protect your sensitive commercial data through a two-stage evaluation:
Stage 1: Initial Shipment Overview —To begin your assessment, simply share basic operational information: your name, company name, corporate email, destination (United States), broad product category, a brief description of the cargo, and your target shipping date. Please also indicate whether the equipment will stay in the US, enter temporarily, or return after overseas use. Do not send confidential documents, itemized commercial values, or customer lists in this initial inquiry. We review this overview first to confirm that the shipment fits our service scope. You can submit your summary through our contact page. One Union Solutions uses these details solely to respond to your request—never for unsolicited marketing. Privacy policy
Stage 2: Comprehensive Onboarding Pack — After qualification, we invite you into our secure onboarding workflow. At this stage, we request complete documentation: draft commercial invoices, packing lists, itemized part and model numbers, technical datasheets, country of origin proof, valuation records, Incoterms, and logistics arrangements. Where relevant, we review end-user statements, FCC/FDA regulatory filings, battery test summaries (UN 38.3), and prior export declarations. Managing confidential files through this controlled secondary stage ensures your proprietary business records remain secure.
Our assessment provides clear guidance on whether your shipment qualifies, identifies any missing compliance evidence, and details every action required before dispatch. A formal quotation is issued once the review is complete; submitting an overview does not constitute shipment acceptance.
For an accepted shipment, One Union Solutions performs the agreed Importer of Record Service responsibilities through our established US operating structure. We oversee electronic declarations, manage duty and fee disbursements, and maintain organized customs documentation. Our formal agreement clearly defines legal roles, filing authority, cost allocations, record access, and procedures for addressing post-entry customs queries.
Clients remain legally responsible for providing complete, truthful product descriptions, accurate commercial valuations, verified origin data, and transparent end-user declarations. Statutory obligations regarding manufacturing standards, product safety laws, local taxes, and export control compliance remain with their respective parties as stipulated in the contract. US Customs and partner regulatory agencies retain full statutory authority to inspect cargo, request additional documentation, or conduct post-release audits.
Under US customs regulations, paying a customs broker does not extinguish the legal importer’s duty liability if duties are not remitted to CBP under 19 CFR 141.1. Furthermore, under 19 CFR 163.4, comprehensive customs records must be retained for a minimum of five years from the date of entry. Consequently, regulatory compliance remains an ongoing obligation long after physical delivery is complete.
Understanding typical compliance failures allows businesses to prevent customs holds, expensive storage charges, and cargo rejections. Shipments are commonly stopped before departure for the following reasons:
One Union Solutions automatically declines prohibited, sanctioned, counterfeit, intentionally misdeclared, or undervalued transactions. Consignments with unverified commercial parties, missing mandatory agency permits, damaged batteries, hazardous waste, defense articles, or goods dispatched prior to compliance review require escalation and may be rejected. These standards ensure all accepted shipments comply fully with US law.
Some of your burning questions answered.
Yes. An overseas business can either explore acting as a “nonresident importer” or engage One Union Solutions to serve as its authorized US Importer of Record Service. Under US customs law (19 CFR 141.18), a nonresident corporation must appoint a US resident agent, purchase a dedicated customs bond, and satisfy specific filing criteria. Using One Union Solutions established US operating structure provides a turn-key solution. We review your transaction to determine the most compliant route.
No. A customs broker is a licensed professional authorized to prepare and transmit customs declarations on behalf of an importer. In contrast, the Importer of Record Service is the statutory party legally responsible for ensuring reasonable care in product classification, customs valuation, origin declaration, and duty payment under 19 USC 1484. While a broker submits filings, appointing a broker does not transfer legal importer liability away from the IOR Service.
Most commercial digital equipment falls within FCC jurisdiction, but the required approval pathway varies based on the product’s technical specifications. Non-wireless digital computing devices often qualify under a Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC), whereas hardware with integrated radio transmitters (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular modules) requires formal FCC Certification. We review technical datasheets to confirm the exact authorization route prior to shipping. FCC equipment authorization
Because every transaction is unique, we provide customized quotations based on your specific equipment models, customs valuation, country of origin, agency compliance requirements, and delivery destination. Customs release timelines depend on paperwork accuracy, carrier transit schedules, bond validation, and government inspection holds. Because regulatory agencies retain sole discretionary release authority, universal flat fees and guaranteed clearance timeframes cannot be provided.
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Operational information disclaimer: This page provides operational guidance for our shipment assessment service. It does not constitute formal legal or tax counsel and does not replace official determinations by US Customs or regulatory agencies. For more details on our global services, see One Union Solutions IOR services.
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