SUMMARY
One of the OECD countries. There are 50 states in the Union including Alaska and Hawaii. Member of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Capital:
Washington, DC.Port(s):
Atlantic: Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Jacksonville, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Port Everglades, Savannah, Wilmington. Gulf: Galveston, Mobile, New Orleans, Tampa. Pacific: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle.Population:
USA: 290,342,554 (July 2003 estimate). Possessions: 3,100,000 (estimated).International Country Code:
US.Information also applies to Puerto Rico and American Possessions in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
LANGUAGE(S)
English, Spanish.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Imperial standards (old UK system) are used, with the following differences: US Short Ton = 2,000 lbs. (2,240 lbs. = Long Ton). US Cwt. = 100 lbs. (112 lbs = Long Cwt.). US Gallon = 0.83267 Imperial Gallon. US Bushel = 0.9687 Imperial Bushel.
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
Domestic — 110/120v. 60 cycles AC. Industrial — 460v 3 phasee 60 cycles.
CURRENCY(-IES)
1 US dollar (USD) = 100 cents.
EXCHANGE RATE
1.60150 USD = £1 sterling (fluctuating rate).
INTERNATIONAL DIRECT DIALLING CODE(S)
00 1.
TIME
Eastern Standard Time; 5 hours behind GMT (5 hours behind BST), Central Standard Time: 6 hours behind GMT (6 hours behind BST), Mountain Standard Time: 7 hours behind GMT (7 hours behind BST), Pacific Standard Time: 8 hours behind GMT (8 hours behind BST). (Daylight saving time operates from third Sunday in April to fourth Sunday in October.)
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
1 Jan, 14 (Flag Day) Jun; 4 (Independence Day) Jul; 11 (Veterans’ Day) Nov, 25 Dec; in addition, the following which have variable dates: Martin Luther King Jr Day; Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday; Memorial Day; Flag Day; Labour Day; Columbus Day; Veterans’ Day; Thanksgiving Day.
EMBASSY(-IES)
24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 1AE. Tel: 020 7499 9000, fax: 020 7408 8020, website: www.usembassy.org.uk (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
). Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830–1730.
). Office hours: Mon-Fri 0830–1730. British Trade Development Office: 845 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10022. Tel: 00 1 212 745 0404, fax: 00 1 212 745 0456, e-mail: Colin.Brazier@fco.gov.uk —website: www.britainusa.com/ny (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
).BRITISH EMBASSY
3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008. Tel: 00 1 202 588 6689, fax: 00 1 202 588 7901, e-mail: commercial.washi@fco.gov.uk — website: www.britainusa.com/embassy (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
).CHAMBER(S) OF COMMERCE
British-American Business Council, 75 Brook Street, London W1K 4AD. Tel: 020 7467 7400, fax: 020 7493 2394, e-mail: aholmes@babinc.org — website: www.babinc.org (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
). British-American Business: 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Tel: 00 1 212 661 4060, fax: 00 1 212 661 4074, e-mail: emilward@babinc.org — website: www.babinc.org
. Also 564 Market Street, Suite 303, San Francisco, California 94104. Tel: 00 1 415 296 8645, fax: 00 1 415 296 9649, e-mail: info@baccsf.org — website: www.babc.org (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
).IMPORT RESTRICTIONS
Import licences are required for only a very few items. Sanctions operated against goods of Cuban, Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan and North Korean origin and from the Taliban controlled area of Afghanistan. Sanctions are also operated against arms and petroleum goods from Angola.
Full information on import requirements is available on the US Customs website: www.customs.gov (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ) or on the Market Access Database Import formalities for EC Exporters at:
) or on the Market Access Database Import formalities for EC Exporters at: Customs brokers must obtain Power of Attorney from the importer prior to making an import declaration. Normally this is the customer but problems could arise if you supply goods under DDP terms (Delivered Duties Paid) where a non-US national has to give Power of Attorney and register themselves with US Customs.
BILL(S) OF LADING
At least three, two to be sent to consignee at port of destination. Show in detail marks on the packages shipped. May be made out “to order”.
CONSULAR INVOICE(S)
None.
CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN
Required for meats and certain animal by-products. Markings must appear in a conspicuous place and be “large and clear”. Full details can be obtained from the Agricultural Attache, American Embassy (tel: 020 7499 9000).
COMMERCIAL INVOICES
Show usual full details including: names and addresses of seller, consignee and buyer (if different from consignee); country of origin; terms of sale, payment and discount, currency and exchange rate (and whether fixed or agreed); date of acceptance of order; full description of goods and quantity; number of packages; marks and numbers on shipping packages; unit prices and totals; home market values; packing cost; sea or air freight; domestic freight, insurance and any other costs. Facsimile signatures not allowed. Customs require one copy.
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The US system of “informal entry” for consignments valued at under US$1,250, allows the use in such cases of a less detailed invoice, however there are several types of products that may not be imported under this system, including footwear, furniture, headwear and textiles.
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In order to facilitate Customs clearance under an automated system, exporters should show an individual identification code on their invoices. Once established this number should be used on every shipment. Goods arriving in the US without this identity number will be delayed due to additional processing. The code number is constructed by using the ISO code for the exporter’s country (ie GB) followed by the first three letters of export company’s name(s) (1st and/or 1st and 2nd words of name only — ignoring initials, plc, Ltd), followed by number shown in street address (ignore if no street number used), followed by first three letters of town or city. An example is as follows: Croner Publications Ltd, London Road, Kingston, Surrey = GBCROPUBKIN. The identity code should be shown in this style close to the exporter’s name and address on the invoice. A worksheet illustrating the rules for constructing an individual code is available on request from ourselves (e-mail: export@croner.co.uk).
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SPECIAL CERTIFICATE(S)
Certificates of health required for certain plants, seeds and livestock.
Certificates of Security
From 1 November 2002, a Certificate of Security must be issued for each order shipped to the USA by sea freight. Suppliers of FCL consignments may be asked to provide the Certificate but generally it will be issued by the forwarder/carrier. In the case of consolidations, a Certificate must be provided per shipper/export company and give full information on that company (not just the party named on the Bill of Lading) as well as all notify parties involved. The document must describe the transport, vessel name, voyage number, ETD, ETA, place of pick up of the cargo, place of delivery/port of loading, transhipment (if applicable), port of unloading at destination, the freight amount (currency used), terms of sale and terms of payment as well as full information about the cargo. The Bill of Lading can no longer show the term FAK (Freight All Kinds) for USA consignments and the term “said to contain” is also no longer permitted (it should be replaced by “shipper’s load stow and count”). Ocean carriers and vessels also have to ensure they have a security plan on board each vessel. Failure to meet these conditions could mean freight being refused entry into the States.
SPECIAL DECLARATIONS:
Clothing and Textiles
All clothing and textiles shipped to the USA require one of the following declarations as appropriate to be made on Company headed paper. The declaration numbered 1 below is applicable to goods wholly produced in one country. The declaration numbered 2 overleaf is to be used where goods have been subject to manufacture/process in one country, and/or incorporate materials originating elsewhere, eg British suits made from Italian cloth, etc.
Declaration: 1. DECLARATION
I, ………………… (name), declare that the articles listed below and covered by the entry to which this declaration relates are wholly the growth, product, or manufacture of a single foreign territory or country or insular possession of the United States as identified below. I declare, that the information set forth in this declaration is correct and true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.
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Marks of identification, numbers
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Description of article and quantity
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Country of origin
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Date...................................................
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Name.................................................
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Signature...........................................
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Title....................................................
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Company...........................................
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Address.............................................
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Declaration: 2. DECLARATION
I, ………………… (name), declare that the articles described below and covered by the entry to which this declaration relates were subjected to manufacturing or processing operations in, and/or incorporate materials originating in, the foreign country * or countries * identified below. I declare that the information set forth in this declaration is correct and true to the best of my information, knowledge, and belief.
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Manufacturing and/or processing operations
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Materials
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Marks of identification. numbers
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Description of article and quantity
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Description of manufacturing and/or processing operations and country of manufacture and/or processing
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Date of export to USA
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Description of material and country of production
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Date of export
of material to
country of manufacturing /
processing
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Date..................................................
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Name................................................
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Signature..........................................
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Title...................................................
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Company..........................................
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Invoice Information
Additional information is required on invoices for the following products: aluminium, textiles, crockery, footwear, headgear, machinery, machine tools, paper, printed matter, plastics, bearings, beads, chemicals, dyes, copper, fish, fur, glass, gloves, grain, hosiery, motion picture films and iron and steel. Contact the Customs office of the US Embassy for details (tel: 020 7499 9000).
Returned USA Goods
For shipments of returned American goods valued over $1000 the following declaration is required on the Com/I:
Declaration:
I ……… declare that the articles herein specified are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the growth, produce or manufacture of the United States; that they were exported from the United States, from the port of ……… on ...or ……… about ...20 – ; that they are returned without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any process of manufacture or other means.
If the goods have been changed or improved in value while abroad the final clause of the declaration must read:
CONSULAR FEE(S)
None.
MARKING OF GOODS
Every article must be marked with the English name of the country of origin unless exempted by the regulations. Detailed information about these exemptions can be obtained from US consulates. There are also regulations concerning the labelling of foodstuffs, drugs, medicines and cosmetics. Full details are available from the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, tel: 00 1 202 326 3300, e-mail: antitrust@ftc.gov — website: www.ftc.gov (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ).
).PACKING MATERIAL
Hay, straw, grasses or chaff prohibited even when disinfected. Pallets and other solid wood packing material must be free of bark and plant pests. In July 2003, Canada, USA and Mexico will implement the International Plant Protection Convention Guidelines for regulating wood packaging in international trade (ISPM#15). Exporters who use wood packing, dunnage, etc in whatever form should contact the Forestry Commission ( www.forestry.gov.uk).
MARKING OF CASES
Show marks and numbers, or other identifying symbols, as appearing on invoices. Also country of origin.
SHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS
Atlantic Container Line; Mediterranean Shipping Company; K Line (Europe); Hual UK; Lykes Lines; CMA/CMG UK; Network America Lines Inc; Yang Ming (UK); Hanjin Shipping; Deppe Line; Wallenius Wilhelmsen UK.
AIR FREIGHT
United Airlines; Virgin Atlantic; Delta Air Lines; British Airways World Cargo; North West Airlines; American Airlines; Continental Airlines.
POSTAL PARCELS
A commercial invoice should be enclosed. For multi-parcel consignments it should be enclosed in parcel No. 1 and the remaining parcels should be marked “Invoice in parcel No. 1”. Customs declaration: one adhesive form (see Parcels under Surface Post in Postal Information).
SAMPLES
Commercial samples up to $1 in value or so mutilated as to make them otherwise useless, are admitted duty free. Commercial samples are subject to the foregoing regulations or they can be temporarily imported under bond, free of duty. USA operates the ATA Carnet system for temporary imports as long as they are re-exported within 12 months of the issue date of the Carnet. Note that the USA will only accept goods classified as Professional Equipment or Commercial Samples not goods for Exhibition or Trade Fairs (see ATA Carnets in Documents).
The foregoing information is a brief summary of the extensive Customs regulations of the United States. It is not possible in a book of this nature to detail all these regulations. Exporters who trade regularly with the United States are advised to consult the American Embassy, or Export Services Division, Department of Trade and Industry.
BANK(S)
Bank of America; Chase Manhattan Bank; City Bank; Barclays Bank International; HSBC; Goldman Sachs; JP Morgan; Lehman Brothers; Morgan Stanley; Merrill Lynch.
DUTIES
Assessed at specific rates or ad valorem usually on the FOB price. Tariff based on the Harmonised System (HS) (see Customs Nomenclatures in Terminology). Specific duty rates and the correct USA 10-digit import code for your products can be obtained via the EU Market Access Database Applied Tariffs Database page on: http://mkaccdb.eu.int (Link to an external site - Disclaimer )the first four digits of the commodity code of the goods is known. Additional information can be found on the USA Customs website, at: www.customs.ustreas.gov (Link to an external site - Disclaimer )
)the first four digits of the commodity code of the goods is known. Additional information can be found on the USA Customs website, at: www.customs.ustreas.gov (Link to an external site - Disclaimer )UK REGULATIONS
All goods must be declared to Customs on leaving the EU (generally arranged by the freight forwarder/carrier). The export declaration for shipments leaving the EU from a UK port or airport is via the electronic system known as NES. All goods subject to Export Controls (ie covered by an export licence — SIEL, OGEL or OIEL), coming under CAP regulations or otherwise controlled under Customs regulations (eg under IPR/OPR, etc) must be exported with a full declaration unless the shipper is authorised to use one of the simplified NES procedures. All shipments must be given a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) made up of the shipper’s VAT No., TURN and export reference, eg invoice number.
Export Controls: Some classes of goods are controlled under national and EU Regulations, eg military goods and dual-use technology. For UK supplies, these are listed on: www.dti.gov.uk (Link to an external site - Disclaimer ) under Export Control. Other goods not listed in the statutory instruments may be controlled if their end-use involves chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the means of delivering them. Controlled dual-use goods (goods capable of being used for civil or military purposes but not specially designed for military purposes) can mostly be moved freely within the EU and to certain non-EU countries under the Community General Export Authorisation (CGEA). Controlled dual-use goods to the USA comes under the CGEA. Subscribers are recommended to seek advice from the DTI Export Control Organisation Helpline on: 020 7215 8070.
) under Export Control. Other goods not listed in the statutory instruments may be controlled if their end-use involves chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the means of delivering them. Controlled dual-use goods (goods capable of being used for civil or military purposes but not specially designed for military purposes) can mostly be moved freely within the EU and to certain non-EU countries under the Community General Export Authorisation (CGEA). Controlled dual-use goods to the USA comes under the CGEA. Subscribers are recommended to seek advice from the DTI Export Control Organisation Helpline on: 020 7215 8070.Precision Cargo Services Ltd
Freight Forwarder
Les Taylor
44 (0) 1753 650551
44 (0) 1753 650601
info@precisoncargo.co.uk
www.precisioncargo.co.uk
Pinewood Studios, Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Bucks SL0 0NH
New York, Los Angeles
Airfreight – daily, ocean – weekly
Atlantic Container Line UK Ltd
Shipping Line
Colin Dunlop
0151 472 8000
0151 472 8010
CDunlop@ACLcargo.com
www.ACLcargo.com
8 Princes Parade, St. Nicholas Place, Pier Head, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 1DL
Halifax/New York/Baltimore/Norfolk/Savannah/Charleston/Houston/New Orleans
5 weekly sailings from Liverpool/Thamesport/Southampton
This information was taken from Croner's Reference Book for Exporters.
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