Good planning is essential as this will protect you from litigation and product liability exposure. Find out more about VAT on exports to non-EU countries and zero rating conditions. First of all, if you’re selling in any foreign market, we would suggest that it’s important to get advice from a local expert to ensure that you are set up optimally for doing business. You need to explore procedures and timeframes before you travel to the US. Opening a bank account in the US can be challenging as you won’t have a US credit record. To successfully license your technology in the US you should ensure: You must be aware of federal and state franchise legislation if you intend to license computer software or set up authorised reseller agreements. Check labelling requirements set out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can put your own managers and staff on the ground in the US and start your office or you can work through a partner via a joint marketing agreement or strategic alliance. You should get your US lawyer to do ‘due diligence’ on your prospective partner. It accounted for 19% of the value of UK exports in 2016/17, second only to the EU as a whole, which bought 44% of UK exports. Marketplace (Amazon) Many businesses opt to sell through an accredited online marketplace like Amazon. This would require a 510K application and the class type that you are would most likely be a class I or II. The most intensive B2C ecommerce trade between the U.S. and the UK is the result of the common linguistic background. Find more export advice and explore opportunities overseas on great.gov.uk. Find export opportunities in the USA. A guide for UK businesses interested in selling goods and services in the US. UKEF helps UK companies to get paid by insuring against buyer default. You must declare any goods that you take with you in your baggage to sell outside the EU. Check CBP’s list of prohibited and restricted goods. In 2018, the US had 17.9% of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (source: World Economic Forum). If there is any dispute you will need to go through the US legal system for resolution. The US pharmaceutical market is the world’s largest (International Trade Administration, 2016). You can use an Admission Temporaire Carnet (ATA Carnet) to simplify the customs procedures needed to temporarily take goods into the US. The UK and the US have signed a double taxation agreement ensuring the same income is not taxed in more than one country. Find out how to declare your exports through the NES to the US. Privately held companies don’t have to make this information available to the public. You must treat each state as a separate entity with its own procedures. I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy....I'm looking for advice please! UK companies with US customers may be subject to US direct or indirect taxes. Find out more about protecting your patents and trademarks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You can usually send samples of your business’s goods through the normal postal system. You should make sure you understand product liability law and implement precautionary measures to reduce risk. SelectUSA can help you with introductions to appropriate economic development organisations (EDOs) in the US. 5 Things Before You Send a Penny. The US is the world’s largest market and it has the world’s largest private sector. If you plan to visit the US for business you can enter through the US Visa Waiver Program for up to 90 days. Visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology for more information on legal standards. US publicly traded companies (PLCs) have to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and must make their annual reports available to investors. You should do as much market research and planning as possible before starting to sell your products and services in the US using both desk research and visits to the market. Postal rates from the UK to the USA get significantly more expensive for packages exceeding 2kg in weight. Schemes are available to UK companies selling products and services to the US to make it easier to fulfil an export contract and grow your business. You must fill out a customs declaration when you ship the products and keep the ‘proof of export’. CEO Anne-Marie Faiola and her company, Bramble Berry, has been shipping to the United Kingdom for about 10 years. You also need to check that your trademark doesn’t infringe any existing trademark. If you are making claims, then you will need to work with the FDA as you will be classified as a medical device. Contact your local branch and ask about your options for opening a US account. A forwarder will have extensive knowledge of documentation requirements, regulations, transportation costs and banking practices in the US. The US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of US government regulations that control the export and import of certain defence related articles and services on the United States Munitions List (USML). Find out more about prohibited or restricted items in the US on Royal Mail’s website. My name is Kate Walsh and I work with Anne Avidon in the Boston, MA offices of UK Trade & Investment.