The US Constitution allows Congress to monitor and tax global imports and exports, and the United States has traditionally relied on an efficient customs system and careful regulation of imported goods to generate revenue for the country. If you want to run a business that requires trading internationally, it is important to know how to obtain a license for import export business in USA. Congress authorized the specific regulation of US imports and exports to the Ministry of Commerce.
How to get a license for Import Export Business in USA
Let’s talk about the import export license for import export business in USA.
- Obtain Country Identification Number
- Learn about Export Controls
- Import License in USA
- Export License in USA
- Contact Relevant Authorities
Obtain Country Identification Number
First step you need to do is get a CIN (Country Identification Number). It is a unique identification number used to track the international trading activities provided by the Ministry of Commerce. You can get this number by filling the form for company registration request online at the website of Ministry of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security.
Learn about Export Controls
Learn about the export controls of the Ministry of Commerce before starting the import export business in USA. The federal government restricts the export of specific items that may have military use to other countries. Other central agencies may restrict the export of certain items. For example, the Department of Energy restricts exports to goods that may be useful in the production of nuclear weapons.
Import License
In the USA, you need to get an import license from every country you want to export. Procedures may vary, but you can get help by hiring a lawyer in that country or by contacting that country’s embassy or US Consulate office. Import license is not required for most of the products to import in USA but the license may require for the specific products.
Export License
Some items, such as basic consumer goods can be exported without an export license that has no special technological complexity. If the Ministry of Commerce Guide says you need a license to export your product, you should apply for an export license on the Ministry of Commerce’s SNAP-R website. Follow the instructions carefully given by the Ministry to obtain an export license.
Contact Relevant Authorities
Get a US import license suitable for the goods you want to import from other countries. There is no single license that allows you to import everything. Instead, you should obtain a license from the federal agency responsible for the products you want to import. For example, to import food, you must obtain a food import license from the Food and Drug Administration, to import firearms you need to obtain permission from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. In both cases, you must contact the authorities and follow certain procedures.
Final Words
Before getting into import export business in USA check all the rules and regulations regarding the product you are about to deal with. Do proper research to learn everything and check if the product needs an import or export license. If you don’t follow rules and regulations properly, then you won’t be able to trade, and your goods won’t get through the authorities.
