Customs clearance is one of the most important, and potentially confusing, parts of importing goods into the United States.
A classification mistake, missing document, or late filing can delay the release of your shipment and lead to storage charges, penalties, and unhappy customers. You must also navigate changing tariffs, customs bonds, government agency requirements, and the possibility of a customs exam.
There’s no getting around it: rising tariffs on freight shipped from other countries are a fact of life for importers these days. All the more reason for you to explore international shipping tips that can reduce your total landed costs.
As a small business that’s importing goods into the U.S., where do customs brokerage services come into the picture?
In the world of cross-border commerce, it’s important to note that different parties have clearly defined roles to expedite the process and manage the many important details. This ensures that there is as little friction as possible during an international shipment. The role of the exporter of record is certainly key in the shipping and customs process, so we’ll take some time to break it down.
Importers talk a lot about “managing tariffs,” but many are not actively managing tariff exemptions. That’s a costly oversight in an environment where duty rates on some products can reach 50%-60%.
Court rulings, executive actions, shifting percentages, and administrative bottlenecks caused by the tariff situation are creating real operational and financial consequences for importers across industries.
International shipment delays are rarely caused by one single point of failure. They can be the result of documentation errors, regulatory miscues, geopolitical shifts, extreme weather, capacity constraints, or simple miscommunication across too many handoffs.
You can ship lithium batteries – and the equipment containing them – in an ocean container, but the restrictions are getting tighter. So how do you know when you can ship lithium batteries in an ocean container?
From toothbrushes to Teslas, lithium batteries power countless items that support everyday life. The lithium-ion battery market was valued at $87.1 billion in 2025, according to Future Market Insights, and is projected to reach $377.6billion by 2035, a CAGR of 15.8%.
When you bring goods into the U.S., of course you expect to pay for transportation. But as you plan an import, remember that it also costs money to clear the cargo through U.S. Customs, even when the product isn’t subject to any duties. So you need to understand the elements that make up U.S. Customs import fees, and when they’re required.
When you’re a smaller-volume shipper importing or exporting container freight between the U.S. and Europe, the lure of working with a major freight forwarder or Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) can be strong. At that level, they have significant leverage with the major ocean lines and can offer attractive rates for each booking. But is it possible that going the “big guy” route can prove to be penny wise yet pound foolish? What are the best types of shipping companies for small businesses? Let’s take a look under the hood.
