However, it is very important to consider this prior to shipment as you will face problems at the border. Establishing a US subsidiary or trading company is the best choice for a long-term commitment to the US market as it gives control over your brand. Hmmm, I've read a number replies to the main post and as far as I know if you have a US registered Account you can log on to any other eBay domain BUT not purchase there. For US-based sellers shipping to Canada, most items are exempt from import duties under NAFTA. I am looking at expanding my current European trading activities into the North American and Canadian markets. If you plan to visit the US for business you can enter through the US Visa Waiver Program for up to 90 days. Department for International Trade withdrew this publication because it was out of date. Privately held companies don’t have to make this information available to the public. The World Bank, United Nations and other aid organisations spend over $180 billion on goods and services each year. great.gov.uk has guidance for new, occasional and frequent exporters, as well as tools and sources of other information to meet your exporting needs. Use the SPIRE system to apply for a temporary export licence. You can find out more about import conditions in the US on the Market Access Database. Email the US market export team who can help you break into the US market. You taxation situation will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each particular situation. Is there anything that I may not be aware of that differs from EU distance trading rules? The US is one of the largest e-commerce retail destination in the world making it an obvious market for Canadian sellers to make quick profits. You need an export licence to temporarily take military or dual use goods out of the UK. These involve an investment of time and money and are an in-built cost of doing business in the US. Hi, Excellent news to hear of you selling so much to the US, they are a superb market. 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. Check the FTC’s website for information on labelling requirements for non-consumer commodities. The UK charges 0-17% duty and 0-20% VAT, but shipment FOB values below £135 are exempt from duty and below £15 are exempt from VAT. You must classify your goods as part of the declaration, including a commodity code and a Customs Procedure Code (CPC). International buyers will be able to see that while your location is in the United States, shipping is available to their country. I learned from a UK based seller called James Greaney. States or local jurisdictions have introduced regulations around the use and disposal of certain packaging materials, and have set minimum recycling requirements. There is simply no better courier service than a small operation called "Paysend" I have been using them for probably 7 years, from the UK to Spain 2 boxes a month, on average 15 -30 … SelectUSA can help you with introductions to appropriate economic development organisations (EDOs) in the US. Different states offer varying business entity options. Different States in the US have different levels of Sales tax applicable at import. The US is one of the largest e-commerce retail destination in the world making it an obvious market for Canadian sellers to make quick profits. You must fill out a customs declaration when you ship the products and keep the ‘proof of export’. My name is Kate Walsh and I work with Anne Avidon in the Boston, MA offices of UK Trade & Investment. You can usually send samples of your business’s goods through the normal postal system. Cosmetics must also conform to the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011. America is also the UK’s second largest export market. Imagine that a fashion retailer based in Germany wants to start selling to the UK. Use the UK government’s selling online overseas tool to find the best place to sell your products online. Check if products and services require certification or licensing before export. Contact your local branch and ask about your options for opening a US account. The US has comprehensive intellectual property (IP) laws with strong legal enforcement against infringement, offering a high standard of protection for rights owners. This involves having a US presence of some kind by way of a virtual office or staff who represent your interests in a more or less permanent way. It is the UK’s top export destination. Find information on US visas at the US Embassy, London. If you are selling via e-coms you are required to add the relevant sales tax to your invoice. My business sells saunas and steam rooms. Before attempting to export military or dual use goods to the US, UK companies should research whether they are subject to ITAR. Once registered, you will have to start charging VAT at that’s country’s VAT rate, collect the VAT from your buyer and submit those taxes to the tax authority of that country. Selling your craft items online – 4 tips to wow your customers in 2016 - 29th June 2016; Sending a parcel to Europe – how to find the cheapest rates - 22nd June 2016; Australia’s plant import rules - the dangers common UK plants can cause - 1st June 2016; May. The Internal Revenue Service governs federal taxes in the US. Today I will show you the best way to cheaply, quickly and safely transfer your money to the USA. 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. Ideally, your contracts should be reviewed by lawyers who understand both US and UK law. To avoid product liability exposure you must: The US is not a single national market; it is a federal system. EU and US ecommerce sellers face hard choices on taxes and customs in 2021, the end of the Brexit transition period.. $CTA. This gives you instant presence, market intelligence, access to customers and complete quality control and infrastructure. The fine detail of the legal aspects of a contract or written agreement are likely to be heavily scrutinised. US Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has consistently seen growth of 1.8% or more since 2011. You’ll need tailored tax advice from a certified accountant or tax lawyer about tax consequences if your UK company conducts activities in the US or transactions with US customers. The International Trade Centre (ITC) ranks the US’s top services imports. 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. This generally takes place in the US state specified in the contract and abides by state laws. You must get advice from a local lawyer as to the best business entity suited for your tax or other needs. You will need to find the appropriate partner(s), taking into account whether you are planning to sell to specific US states or the entire country. Taxes can be imposed by both the US federal government and individual states, counties and cities. The US is home to a large number of biotech and pharma companies that offer many opportunities for UK companies to sell into their supply chains. Sending food to the USA from the UK Food is a wonderful gift for anyone missing home and shipping food to the USA is not complicated, but there are a few things you need to be aware of. The most intensive B2C ecommerce trade between the U.S. and the UK is the result of the common linguistic background. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. The following documents are generally required for the importation of goods into the United States: Use the US International Trade Commission database to determine your duty rates. Speak to one of UKEF’s export finance advisers for free and impartial advice on your insurance options or contact one of UKEF’s approved export insurance brokers. If you are not making any health claims, you should be fine to enter the US market without having to work with the FDA. Postal rates from the UK to the USA get significantly more expensive for packages exceeding 2kg in weight. You can use an Admission Temporaire Carnet (ATA Carnet) to simplify the customs procedures needed to temporarily take goods into the US. Contact your bank or specialist financial organisations for assistance. You should make sure you understand product liability law and implement precautionary measures to reduce risk. Similarly, if you are selling in the American continent, you might need Spanish as well because there are many users who speak and understand Spanish easier than English. UK companies with US customers may be subject to US direct or indirect taxes. A popular destination for online shopping is also China. You can sell your products and services over the internet through: Read our E-commerce for UK small businesses selling online to the USA brochure for information on US e-commerce rules and regulations. The United States (US) is the largest, most competitive and technologically advanced economy in the world. This would require a 510K application and the class type that you are would most likely be a class I or II. The primary contract vehicle is the GSA Schedules, or Multiple Award Schedules, program. Selling U.S. Goods and Services in the EU If a report below does not have a direct link, it means it is somewhat older and we ask that you request it by sending an email to office.brusselsec@trade.gov . Hi, I am based in the UK, but wish to sell to the US. 5 min article; Buying and reselling items. Capital can be moved in and out of the US without any restrictions, however sums over a certain amount may be flagged by your bank. Email the DIT team in the US for help or support to start exporting to the US. These aid agencies can offer excellent opportunities to UK companies. A significant number of Canadian Sellers are already selling on Amazon.com and making substantial profits. In some circumstances you may be wholly or partially exempt from certain US federal income taxes under this treaty. You should begin contract negotiations with your partner by preparing and working to the signature of an NB-SOT. Each state determines and collects sales tax on an individual basis. There are moves to look at changing this but for the moment this is the rule. You may be eligible for benefits under the US-UK income tax treaty. I based my reply upon that info. Failure to comply can result in a lawsuit. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, opportunities for exporting to United States our country guide on great.gov.uk, Getting finance to fulfil an export contract to the US, Legal considerations of doing business in the US, Opportunities for UK businesses in the US, Challenges and overseas business risk in the US, export advice and explore opportunities overseas, E-commerce for UK small businesses selling online to the, products and services require certification or licensing, National Institute of Standards and Technology, UK Intellectual Property Office’s (UKIPO) detailed guide to IP in the, United States Patent and Trademark Office, contact the HMRC Tariff Classification Service, British International Freight Association, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, access to global supply chain, which can lead to exports for other markets, optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring and precision equipment, furniture, mattresses and soft furnishings, pearls, precious and semi precious stones and metals, evaluate your existing internal processes for product development and safety, incident reporting and investigation and response, there is a market for your product or service, where to find appropriately skilled employees, your own website which will need to be adapted to support, your intellectual property (IP) is protected before negotiating an agreement, ‘due diligence’ is done on licensee candidates through your, control of the contract drafting using an, the contract is drafted so as to minimise risks of violating antitrust, patent misuse or other laws, the contract protects your rights in any trademark, the contract specifies your choice of tribunal and law, the American Bar Association, which has a list of, more sensitive items on the EU Dual-Use List (goods along with their associated technologies that can be used for both civil and military purposes), goods that could be used for restraint, repression or inhumane treatment, being responsive to field complaints and having clear documentation as proof of your response, regular audits of product literature to ensure clear instructions about safety, effective risk management to manage safety compliance, document retention and staff training around product design, manufacture, marketing and field experience, product category and substance regulations, name, place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, net quantity of contents (both metric and, importer security filing and additional carrier requirements, official documentation showing date and location of tradeshow, to mark items ‘not for sale’ or to make them unfit for sale, to contact port of entry prior to arrival, vast regional differences between the 50 markets/states, strong competition, causing saturation of products or services, significant time difference (between 5 and 8 hours behind), expensive and time consuming process for work visas. Visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology for more information on legal standards. As a UK government agency, UKTI is unable to provide legal advice but we posted an article recently about navigating US Customs, including how to classify your goods, determine duty rates, find a broker, etc. It's also the second largest import market in 2016/17. There are a number of options to enter the US market. CBP offers tips for new importers , including those who have recently started importing or who would like to know more about the process. What is the maximum value of a product being imported into the USA before it is liable for import duty? This is usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Find out more about protecting your patents and trademarks at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Getting straight to the point is appreciated and negotiations are likely to be very focused on closing a deal. When using postal services on a more commercial basis you must complete the required customs form with the commodity code that relates to the goods you using the post to export. You should always get qualified legal guidance before entering into any agreement. You should take and keep the initiative in drafting contracts and non-binding summaries of key terms (also shortened to NB-SOTs) or ‘letter of intent’ with your representative to ensure a good contract. UKEF helps UK companies to get paid by insuring against buyer default. You can get market share in the form of a competitor or supplier that is already in the US. The US pharmaceutical market is the world’s largest (International Trade Administration, 2016). Thanks for getting in touch through the Open to Export portal. You must treat each state as a separate entity with its own procedures. It has an annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over US$18 trillion (nominal). However, this option involves taking into account a number of extra costs. Whether you’re new to selling internationally or a pro, it pays to have a plan in place. You must declare any goods that you take with you in your baggage to sell outside the EU. A Currency Transaction Report is normally filed by the bank to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for transferring a sum of over $10,000. With Amazon Global Selling, you can quickly grow your business by selling on Amazon s many global marketplaces. In 2018, the US had 17.9% of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (source: World Economic Forum). You may need a licence or to follow special rules to export certain goods. Selling to the USA – The United States (US) is the most significant, most competitive and technologically advanced economy in the world. You can also take advantage of special deals negotiated by the government for UK businesses. He shares lots of helpful tips on his Youtube channel Internetbizuni and I hired him to teach me the process when I first got started. Imports are any resources, goods, or services that producers in one country sell to buyers in another country. To be based in the USA and sell via Shopify Payments there you would need to have a USA social security number and bank account to set it up. Get A Quote Check CBP’s list of prohibited and restricted goods. If you plan to work in the US, you’ll need a non-immigrant visa. Apparently US immigration has no problem with non-Americans entering the US to sell non-American goods, but thinks that selling US-made goods is a job for Americans, not foreigners. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Hey Everyone. If you have not fixed your exchange rate you have not fixed your price. UK Export Finance (UKEF) has significant risk capacity to support exports to the US. Litigation is best avoided by getting a good understanding of US commercial standards and tailoring your company’s practices to those standards. Learn Exactly What You Need To Sell On Amazon.com (USA) From The UK!!! have never had a box delayed or go missing. I've set up my store in US dollars, but I've read that I need to create a US address, have a US bank account, need to fill out a SS-4 form to obtain an EIM, etc, otherwise Shopify will not allow me to sell to the US. Question. All you need to do is pick United States as your "Sending from" address and book as normal. You should consider whether the best option for you is to agree terms in sterling or US dollars in any contract. A licence to export to the US is required for: Check with the UK’s Export Control Organisation (ECO) whether you require an export licence for your goods. Marketplace (Amazon) Many businesses opt to sell through an accredited online marketplace like Amazon. Check labelling requirements set out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Your contract should include agreement on terms of delivery using Incoterms. CEO Anne-Marie Faiola and her company, Bramble Berry, has been shipping to the United Kingdom for about 10 years. You should take expert legal advice before contacting an offender or pursuing any sort of litigation. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Find export opportunities in the USA. If you’re sending goods by post you must check that the items are not prohibited or restricted by mail services in the UK and in the US. Parcel sending tip – print an extra label - 26th May 2016 I am looking at expanding my current European trading activities into the North American and Canadian markets. Establishing local representation can be a good way to test the market on a short-term basis. 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. DIT provides free international export sales leads from its worldwide network. While many people suggest that Amazon UK sellers set up a UK-based Ltd company (like an LLC), in fact, you can sell as a non-EU seller. Read the UK Intellectual Property Office’s (UKIPO) detailed guide to IP in the US. Find commodity codes and other measures applying to exports in the UK Trade Tariff. Find out more about exporting military and dual use goods. ParcelHero offers cheap parcel delivery rates, from the UK's best carriers, with savings of up to 60% against going direct. Hi, Excellent news to hear of you selling so much to the US, they are a superb market. 5 Things Before You Send a Penny. This could be as simple as an American ‘1-800’ toll-free phone number which connects your US callers directly to your UK office for a minimal monthly or per-call charge. Hi Tommy, Nick here from Shopify. The FDA regulates the packaging and labelling of food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics at a federal level. You can find state tax information from the Federation of Tax Administrators. i.e. You must make export declarations to HMRC through the National Export System (NES) to export your goods to the US. If you know where your goods will enter the US, you can speak with a customs agent at the port of entry or hire a licensed customs broker. @hewson212, @rosneal-18 . Use DIT’s Tradeshow Access Programme to visit tradeshows in the US. When commercial businesses sell goods and services to the federal government through GSA, different kinds of contracts are used for different purposes. I am unsure if there is any additional legislation to that of the EU surrounding distance selling laws that I would need to be aware of before starting to sell into the USA.