The Complete Guide to Importing Products into the US from Europe

Importing products from Europe into the United States is one of the most powerful moves a brand can make — but it comes with a maze of regulations, paperwork, and logistical hurdles that trip up even experienced businesses. This guide covers everything you need to know, step by step.

Step 1: Understand Your Import Classification (HTS Code)

Every product entering the US must be assigned a Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) code — a 10-digit number that tells US Customs exactly what your product is, determines the duty rate, and triggers any applicable regulations.

Getting your HTS code wrong is one of the most common and costly mistakes importers make. A misclassification can mean paying the wrong duty rate, having your shipment held at the border, or — in serious cases — facing penalties from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Step 2: Calculate Your Import Duties

Once you have your HTS code, you can calculate the duty rate your products will attract. For most consumer goods imported from Europe, typical duty rates range from 0% to 12%, though this varies significantly by product category.

Beyond the basic import duty, you also need to account for:

• Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) — 0.3464% of cargo value, minimum $32.71 per entry
• Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) — 0.125% of cargo value for ocean shipments

Step 3: FDA Compliance

The FDA regulates food, supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices entering the US. Key requirements include:

• Facility registration — food and supplement manufacturers must register with the FDA
• Prior Notice — all food shipments require Prior Notice submission 2–8 hours before arrival
• US-format labelling — Nutrition Facts panel, allergen declarations, English ingredient lists
• 9 major allergen declarations — including sesame (added 2023)

Step 4: Choose Your Shipping Method

For most import shipments, you have two primary options:

• Sea freight — 14–21 days transit from Northern Europe, $2,000–$6,000 per container. Best for large volumes and planned replenishments.
• Air freight — 2–5 days, $4–$8/kg. Best for launches, emergency restocks, and high-value low-weight products.

Step 5: Clear US Customs

When your shipment arrives at a US port, it must clear CBP. A licensed customs broker files the entry documents on your behalf. Required documentation includes:

• Commercial invoice (accurate product descriptions and values)
• Packing list
• Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• HTS classification
• Any applicable certificates (CE, organic, FDA registration numbers)

Most commercial shipments clear within 24–72 hours of arrival.

Step 6: Deliver to Amazon FBA

If you are selling on Amazon — which you should be — your products ultimately need to reach Amazon's fulfilment centres. This requires:

• FBA prep requirements — labelling, poly-bagging, and box standards specific to Amazon
• Shipment creation in Seller Central — Amazon assigns the fulfilment centre and generates box labels
• Amazon Transparency labels — if enrolled, each unit needs a unique T-code applied before delivery

The Complete Timeline

• Weeks 1–2: HTS classification, FDA registration, labelling review
• Weeks 3–4: Shipment preparation, documentation, booking freight
• Weeks 5–8: Ocean transit
• Week 8–9: US customs clearance, FBA prep, delivery to Amazon
• Week 9–10: Products live on Amazon

With ImportIQ managing the process, we consistently get brands from first conversation to live on Amazon in 6–10 weeks.