Non-Resident Importer

Non-resident Importer Program

Country of Origin
CFS Ocean Cargo
Warehouse
How to import cosmetics/beauty products into the US
Ocean Freight
Medical Device
Importing FDA Regulated Product & Compliance Consulting
Logistics Solution
E-Commerce
Freight Forwarding

Non-Resident Importer – Import into the US without a US Presence

To sell your products in the U.S. market as a non-U.S. based business owner without a presence or entity in the country, you must first establish yourself as a Foreign Importer of Record. This allows you to import goods into the United States.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) administers the Non-Resident Importer (NRI) program, which enables companies located outside the U.S. to serve as the importer of record for goods entering the country. As an NRI, you are responsible for adhering to all U.S. customs regulations and paying any applicable duties and taxes on the imported items.

The NRI program presents a viable option for international companies seeking to sell their products in the U.S. market without establishing a subsidiary or partnering with a local distributor. By becoming an NRI, your company can exercise greater control over the import process and potentially reduce costs by bypassing fees imposed by intermediaries. However, as an NRI, you must be ready to comply with all U.S. customs regulations and assume any risks or liabilities associated with importing goods into the United States.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows a non-resident corporation to act as an Importer of Record (IOR) for shipments of merchandise from the foreign country to the U.S. for sale if applicable regulatory requirements and procedures are followed.

  • As is the case for all resident importers, a non-resident importer must also obtain a customs bond.
  • To apply for your customs bond, you need to be established as a Foreign Importer of Record and obtain a Customs Assigned Importer Number (CAIN).
  • According to the Customs regulation, your company must also have an agent in the state where the port of entry is located that serves as a resident agent in the U.S. on behalf of the foreign corporations. This requirement is typically met by appointing a licensed customs broker, who may be already authorized by power of attorney to apply for a customs bond and file the customs declaration with U.S. Customs on your behalf.

If you plan to sell your product via the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, please note that an IOR is required when FBA shipments enter the United States from foreign country.  Amazon will not act as an IOR for any shipment of FBA. Therefore, you need to be established as a Foreign Importer of Record and obtain a Customs Assigned Importer Number (CAIN).  We can help you to get your CAIN and customs bond, and to deliver your products to FBA warehouses duty & tax paid on time.

In-Depth Coverage: Country of Origin

Getting Started

Complete the online Power of Attorney (POA). POA is required for a customs broker to transact customs business on your behalf with CBP. 

We can apply for the Customs Assigned Importer Number on your behalf. You need to provide:

  • POA signed by two officers of the company,
  • copy of your Articles of Incorporation,
  • copy of the document that empowers the officers with authority to sign the POA, and
  • scans or pictures of the IDs of the two signing officers.

Read more….

Customs Bond

With the Customs Assigned Importer Number, you can apply and obtain a customs bond. The surety on any CBP bond required from a nonresident individual or organization must be incorporated in the United States. Read more….

Ultimate Consignee

You need to designate on your shipping and customs entry documents an ultimate consignee who has a physical U.S. address and a tax ID number. The ultimate consignee will be the final recipient of your shipment at the final destination, such as a warehouse or your end customer.

If you have an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from IRS but your business is registered in a country other than the U.S., then you need to have a U.S. business as the ultimate consignee of your shipment.

If you participate in the Amazon FBA service and deliver your goods to the Amazon fulfillment center, you will list Amazon as the ultimate consignee on your shipping and entry documentation. Please note that you must list “in care of Amazon” before the name of the Amazon entity.  Your shipment should be physically delivered to the Amazon fulfillment center identified on the bill of lading. Read more….

In-Depth Coverage: Marketing and Advertising Compliance

In-Depth Coverage: Cosmetics Import Requirements

In-Depth Coverage: Customs Valuation

In-Depth Coverage: Importing Medical Device 

In-Depth Coverage: Importing Food Products 

Customs Clearance and Import Requirements

FDA-Regulated Products and Import Requirements

Quick Link To U.S. Customs & Import Requirements

Customs Brokerage & Consulting

Customs Brokerage & Consulting

Freight Forwarding

Freight Forwarding & Logistics

Importing FDA Regulated Product & Compliance Consulting

FDA Regulated  Products

USDA Compliance

USDA Regulated Products

EPA Compliance

EPA Regulated Products

E-Commerce

Label & Labeling Claims Review

Guidance on customs & logistics solution for traditional and e-commerce importers and exporters

Ocean Cargo

Importer Security Filing (ISF)

An ISF is required when cargo (ocean only) laden on vessel at a foreign port is destined for shipment to the U.S.  Under ISF rule, some importing information and idetails regarding cargo must be transmitted to the CBP at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto the vessel.

Customs Brokerage & Consulting

Customs Clearance

The goods imported into the U.S. are required to be declared to CBP. Our customs broker will help you stay in compliance with customs laws and regulations and clear your goods quickly and efficiently with our electronic Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Single Window System.

Logistics Solution

Freight Forwarding

Looking for a freight forwarding partner?  To move your cargo from its current location through customs to its final destination we will partner with you to find the best way for your business. Whatever your transportation, logistics and customs clearance need, we will do our best to customize a solution for your needs. 

Warehousing & Logistics

Warehousing & Distribution

Our warehouse facility offers great potential for serving as a regional hub with over 145,000 SF storage capacity close to Los Angeles Airport & Los Angeles/Long Beach Sea port. With our extensive experience in freight services, your import/export cargo will be handled quickly and effectively.

Section 321 Entry

Section 321 Entry

Section 321 entry allows importing free of duty and tax for shipments imported by one person on one day having a fair retail value in the country of shipment not more than $800. We provide our resident and non-resident clients with dedicated ACE eManifest solutions for Section 321 entry of all modes of transportation. 

Country of Origin

Non-resident Importer Program

If you want to sell your products in U.S. marketplaces, but you are a business owner located outside of the U.S. and do not have an entity or presence in the U.S., you need to be established as a Foreign Importer of Record before your products can be imported into the U.S. We can help you.

E-Commerce

E-Commerce

The Internet has made it easy to find and purchase items from almost anywhere in the world. Our e-commerce experts will help you find the right solution for your international transportation, customs clearance, and delivery to your final destination.  We also provide value-added repackaging, warehousing and distribution services. 

Design your own logistics

To move your cargo from its current location through customs to its final destination we will partner with you to find the best way for your business.