Importing/Exporting Specific Products

Many imported and exported products are regulated by federal agencies. If you import or export the following types of products, you may be required to obtain specific licenses and permits or complete additional paperwork:

• Agricultural Products
• Automobiles
• Chemicals
• Defense Products
• Food and Beverage Products
• Industrial Goods
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Agricultural Products

Export Information and Assistance

• Agricultural Export Assistance Handbooks and Guidelines
  Provides to links to handbooks, training materials, videos, and market reports that help producers export their goods overseas.
  
• Agricultural Export Transportation Handbook
  Provides resources to help small and medium-size businesses develop an international marketing plan, discover export opportunities, and ship products overseas.
• Export Credit Guarantee Programs
  Information on export credit guarantee programs for commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.
  
• Exporter Assistance for Agriculture and Forestry Industries
  A series of resources, products, and services that can help companies explore the potential for international sales.
  
• Exporter's Matrix : Handbook for U.S. Agribusinesses
  Guidelines to exporting food, farm and forest products.
• Facility Guarantee Program
  Provides payment guarantees to finance commercial exports of U.S. manufactured goods and services that will be used to improve agriculture-related facilities.
• Foreign Agricultural Service Fact Sheets
  Information on a variety of topics related to exporting agricultural commodities. Specific information on programs the Foreign Agricultural Service sponsors is also available.
  
• General Sales Manager Online System
  The General Sales Manager Online System enables U.S. exporters and U.S. banks to submit required documentation online, or electronically, for the GSM-102, Supplier Credit Guarantee and Facility Guarantee Programs. These programs facilitate commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports.
• Market Development Programs
  Information on Foreign Agricultural Service sponsored programs designed to assist in the expansion of export opportunities.
• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers : FAQs
  Answers to questions about TAA, which provides producers of raw commodities, who have been adversely affected by import competition, free technical assistance and cash benefits of up to $10,000 per year.
  
• Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act : FAQs
  Questions and answers about the implementation of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act.
• U.S. Exporter Assistance : Pricing, Quotes, and Negotiations
  Information on proper pricing, complete and accurate quotations, and choice of terms for the sale of exports so that selling products in foreign markets is successful.
  
• U.S. Exporter Assistance : Shipping Documentation, and Requirements
  A series of documents outlining the shipping documentation required to export commodities and other requirements.

Import Programs

• Import Programs for Agriculture Products
  Information on programs the Foreign Agricultural Service offers to promote import requirements and opportunities.

Animals and Plants

• Animal and Animal Product Import and Export Information
  Find information on the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's activities and services to support import and export of animals, animal products, and biologicals.
• How APHIS Facilitates Agricultural Exports
  Information on the role the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plays in the exportation of agricultural products.
  
• How APHIS Facilitates Agricultural Imports
  Information on the role the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plays in the importation of agricultural products.
• Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit FAQs
  Questions and answers about plant protection and quarantine permits.
  
• Phytosanitary Certificates and the Import and Export of Plants and Plant Products
  A list of frequently asked questions regarding the regulations for importing plant and plant products into the United States and the use of phytosanitary (plant health) certificates to ensure that products imported are free of pests.
  

Food and Related Products

• Country of Origin Labeling Requirements
  The 2002 Farm Bill requires country of origin labeling for beef, lamb, pork, fish, perishable agricultural commodities and peanuts.
  
• Exporting Dairy Products to the European Union
  Providers exporting requirements under the European Union Health Certification Program.
  
• Exporting Grain
  Information on requirements that must be met by individuals or companies exporting grain, oilseeds, or related commodities from the United States. The requirements vary based on whether the commodity is covered by the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) or the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (AMA).
  
• Food Export Certificate Project
  Information on food export certificates which are paper or electronic documents requested by an importing nation that describes and/or attests to animal health or product safety, production, or processing methods, packaging, labeling, or specific attributes of a food/food ingredient intended for international destinations.
  

Wood Products

• Guide to Exporting Solid Wood Products
  Guide for U.S. wood products producers interested in export markets, providing an overview of the necessary steps to develop a successful export marketing strategy.

Automobiles

• Automobile Importation and Certification FAQs
  Answers to common questions about importing automobiles in the U.S.
  
• How to Become a Registered Motor Vehicle Importer
  Motor vehicle importers must comply with the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act, which requires that all vehicles and vehicle equipment imported for use on the U.S. highways be brought into compliance with applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
  
• Import Requirements for Vehicles, Engines and Equipment
  Environmental Protection Agency guide to import requirements for vehicles, engines, and non-road equipment.
  
• Registered Motor Vehicle Importer Procedures and Requirements
  Procedures and regulations for importers of foreign made motor vehicles.
  
• Regulatory Information for Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Registered Importers
  List of key legislation and regulations pertaining to the manufacture and import of motor vehicles.
  
• Vehicle Import Regulations
  A guide to instructions, FAQ's and guidance on how to comply with federal regulatory law on vehicle importation into the United States.

Chemicals

• Chemical Import/Export Requirements
  General info on requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for persons who import and/or export chemical substances into and out of the U.S.
  
• Pesticide Trade Issues and Agreements
  EPA regulates both the import and export of pesticides. All pesticides which are intended to be used in the US must first be registered with EPA prior to import. This web site provides information about international trade issues regarding pesticides.

Defense Products

• Defense Export Market Guides
  These guides assess each foreign market¿s defense industry environment and defense priorities, identify promising business opportunities, and provide points of contacts and tips to succeed in that market.
  
• Directorate of Defense Trade Controls
  Guidance covering the export of defense articles and services. Regulations include Arms Export Control Act and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
  
• Selling to NATO : U.S. Company Certification
  U.S. companies interested in selling to NATO must receive U.S. government certification in order to qualify to bid on NATO Security Investment Program funded procurement opportunities here or abroad. The associated forms, procedures, related NATO documents and contact information are provided on this site.

Food and Beverage Products

• Agreement Between the United States of America and the European Community on Trade in Wine
  An agreement between the U.S. and EC to facilitate trade in wine between the parties and provide a framework for continued negotiations in the wine sector.
  
• Exporting Alcohol Beverages from the United States
  Guidance on how to export alcohol beverages from the United States.
  
• Importing Alcohol Beverages into the United States
  Guidance on how to import alcohol beverages into the United States.
  
• International Import-Export Requirements for Alcoholic Beverages
  Guidance on international import requirements for beer, wine, and distilled spirits for various countries.
  
• Pesticide Residues on Imported and Exported Foods
  Information about regulations governing the importing of food into the U.S., and there specific requirements regarding pesticide residue levels.
  
• Supplier Credit Guarantee Program
  Information on how exporters can sell U.S. food products overseas through insuring short-term, open account financing.
  
• U.S./EC Bridge Agreement
  The Bridge Agreement extends the soon to expire EC derogations on acceptance of U.S. winemaking practices and exempts certain EC natural grape wine from the U.S. wine certification requirements.

Industrial Products

• Foreign-Trade Zone Manufacturing Center : Information for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers
  The tools on this page were created to reduce the barriers to the use of FTZ procedures for small- and medium-sized manufacturers.
  
• Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis System
  All U.S. imports of steel mill products need a license to complete CBP entry summary. This web site was designed to help shippers comply with the steel import monitoring program requirements.

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

• Import and Export of Human Drugs and Biologics
  A guide to complying with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in the areas of international trade of drugs and biologics.
  
• Importing Food, Drugs, Cosmetics and Medical Devices into the U.S.
  Information related to products subject to FDA's control of foods (except for certain meats and poultry products), drugs (human, animal and biological), cosmetics, medical devices and radiation emitting devices, etc., offered for entry into the United States through U.S. Customs, in support of FDA's regulatory activities.