Import Permits and Importer Registration: A Plain Guide

Bringing goods into a new country takes two things. First your business is registered as an importer with customs. Second the goods themselves may need a permit if they are controlled or restricted.

Step one: register as an importer Most customs authorities want to know who is importing. In the European Union that means an EORI number. In the United States an importer is the importer of record and usually has a customs bond. Other countries use their own importer codes. You normally need a registered local company or a local representative first.

Step two: classify your goods Every product has a customs code known as an HS code. The code decides the duty and the taxes. It also decides which rules apply. Getting the code right early avoids delays at the border.

Step three: check for permits Many goods need approval from a specialist authority before they arrive. Typical examples are food and plants and animal products and medicines and chemicals and some electronics. The authority is often not customs. Your country page names the regulator for each country.

Tips Ask the regulator which permits your exact product needs before you ship. Work with a customs broker for your first shipments. Keep invoices and certificates organised because customs can ask for them after the goods arrive.

These are general guides, not legal advice. Rules differ by country and by product and they change often. Confirm the details with the regulator named on your country page or with an expert before you act.