Jet Worldwide's logistics team is committed to helping International companies reach their North American customs. To the USA, online sellers - both American and outside the USA - are learning to incorporate direct shipping of online orders to complement traditional ocean to warehouse to customer processes.
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About this Post: This page provides a deeper dive into the section 321 processes to help build best in class import solutions for shipping direct to the USA (and to the USA via Canada).
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National parcel post services are usually the best option for individuals shipping small parcels and personal items to the USA. The shipping options to the USA usually include low cost small packets (under 2 kg) and larger parcels many of which can include tracking options. The packet option is a service defined by the Universal Postal Union.
Contact our team to benefit from global direct entry and USPS labeling and delivery.
Shippers using lower than market rates are likely victims of fraudulent practices. This includes using counterfeit labels and processes to inject into the USPS. Learn more about fraudulent USPS labels.
American dominant carriers FedEx and UPS - along with global leader DHL- offer reliable international shipping options to the United States.
FedEx and UPS shipping international options Include
The logistics of shipping online orders direct is a critical skill that all online sellers should become familiar with. The traditional flows of large bulk orders, ocean container, to domestic warehousing and distribution is being supplemented by shipping online orders directly from origin.
International shippers can connection to the US Postal service can be via their local Post (mentioned above), a USPS partner such as Pitney Bowes or direct via USPS Global Direct Entry.
Air Freight direct to zones: The USA is actually many different markets with their own demographics and buyer personas. Sellers may wish to target, for example, buyers in the North East who may more naturally fit their buyer persona than consumers in other regions.
As volumes build, shippers can build more efficient zip code based routing rules to lower costs via"zone skipping" and benefit from express low cost ground delivery. Allow Jet Worldwide to become part of your team: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothybyrnes
Benefit from low cost fulfillment in Hong Kong and have your orders shipped directly. Useful information about Hong Kong warehousing and direct shipping.
The logistics of shipping online orders direct is a critical skill that all online sellers should become familiar with. The traditional flows of large bulk orders, ocean container, to domestic warehousing and distribution is being supplemented by shipping online orders directly from origin. Whether a US seller who needs to lower their costs and improved their reaction to market trends to non-US sites who seek ways to scale their sales to the USA: Contact Jet Worldwide's team for assistance.
The increase cost in shipping orders direct is offset by the duty free status of section 321 entries, minimized domestic warehousing, lower inventory levels and faster reaction to market trends.
In this post, we provide a deeper dive into shipping e-commerce orders directly to the USA (or via Canada). The best way to build a scaleable and secure parcel supply chain is to build access to multiple ports of entry (including via Canada), multiple entry processes and, most important for peak periods, express clearance options. Being able to throttle between express, cargo, and conveyance methods ensures lowest last mile delivery costs and predictable delivery times for your US customers.
The data provided for e-commerce consolidations is used for both prior notice requirements for security purposes (prior to departure) and entry to US Customs.
While section 321 requires only a description of the item or items being imported, the lack of clear descriptions is a common cause of import complications and delays. The description of an item's intended use can be helpful for obscure items that – for example – may be be described using industry jargon. Even if not always required, it is adding the Harmonized System code can be helpful (see next section).
A key advantage of most Section 321 Entry types (see section below) is that the Harmonized System Code is not required. However, best practices includes either including the HS code or - at a minimum - to be aware of the general codes of your goods.
When importing e-commerce shipments to the USA, the declared value is simply what the goods were sold for. The biggest issue for US customs and when sellers undervalue their goods - although this is not as common with the high US$800 duty free threshold. REVIEW HOW TO VALUE YOUR INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS
Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, is a provision of U.S. law that allows for the importation of certain low-value shipments without requiring the payment of duties or taxes. The purpose of Section 321 is to facilitate the flow of small shipments and to reduce the administrative burden on customs authorities.
| ECCF | CFS | Type 86 |
| Express / no HS code | Freight / no HS Code | HS code Required |
Under Section 321, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows the importation of certain low-value shipments, known as "informal entries," without requiring the payment of duties or taxes. To qualify for treatment under Section 321, a shipment must have a value of $800 or less, and it must not be subject to any other special requirements, such as a license or a permit.
Informal entries under Section 321 are generally processed quickly and with minimal paperwork, making them a convenient option for small and low-value shipments. However, they are subject to CBP review and may be subject to duties and taxes if they do not meet the requirements of the Section 321 provision.
If you are planning to import a low-value shipment into the U.S., contact our team.
The term “Section 321” is derived from this provision’s statutory source, 19 U.S.C. § 1321(a)(2)(C).
Jet helps companies explore the variety of methods to clear orders up to $800 duty free using a simplified “section 321” process. We help companies uncover best practices using multi port express clearance (via an Express Consignment Clearance Facility - E.C.C.F, CFS and Type 86 processes).
READ ABOUT POSSIBLE CHANGE TO SECTION 321 ENTRIES
In addition to the "type 11" section 321, "type 86" section 321 entry is available for more traditional ACE brokerage systems (see next section).
Using an Express Consignment Clearance Facility / ECCF, retailers benefit from express handling and clearance. Best in class parcel import systems includes access to an ECCF to ensure uninterrupted clearance during peak periods or other customs slow downs.
The cargo CFS processes are essentially the same as ECCF but without the customs fee and express clearance commitment. As mentioned above, shippers should build in both CFS and ECCF capabilities.
Using traditional brokerage clearance systems, retailers can take advantage of type 86 entries. The format requires application of HS codes. This system is available for all forms of conveyance but seem to be subject to a higher level of inspection and delay. Type 86 Section 321 can be cleared via traditional CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) brokerage software.
Section 321 is available via Canada USA cross border systems giving another option for online orders to the USA.
US customs / CBP newer Section 321 de minimis entry processes (namely ACE Entry Type 86) are designed to enable more streamlined approval from other government agencies. However, the reality of "one window clearance" is still bit mixed. We advise shippers to set up separate parcel import flows for goods requiring approval of other government agencies (most commonly items requiring approval of Food and Drug Administration).
Customs has been working on one window clearance processes that incorporates the requirements of other government agencies. In customs parlance, they are referred to as "Partner Government Agencies" or PGA's. Type 86 extends the "one window clearance" processes to include low value section 321.
Items requiring inspection as a condition of release, regardless of value, merchandise subject to Anti-Dumping / Countervailing duty (ADD/CVD), and certain products regulated by the following Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), may not qualify under Section 321:
Jet Worldwide helps businesses set up specialized high volume import processes for goods that require other/ partner government agencies - including innovative wine importing from France, Australia, Chile, South Africa and other countries with such speciality products.
Best in class parcel import systems include informal entry (CFR Part 128) processes for clearing higher value orders. Shipments valued above US$800 and requiring other government agencies are often best managed by an express / ECCF facility.
Shipments valued up to US$2,500 can be imported via informal entry processes. While the goods are subject to duty, the overall duty rates to the United States can average less than 5% for many e-commerce imports.
As cross border E-commerce is expanding from direct to consumer to business to business, the average values can often be above US$800. Businesses selling direct to American businesses can also benefit from high volume parcel import processes even for higher value shipments using consolidated informal entry processes. Contact Jet's team for details.
The default shipping for e-commerce to the USA (and globally) is EXW. Thanks to Section 321, the vast majority of e-commerce imports to the USA are cleared duty and tax free.Best in class processes include considering Incoterms and how to manage potential consignee fees for higher values and special commodities.
INCOTERMS:
*DDU, DDP and EXW are terms known as Incoterms®, a registered trademark of the International Chamber of Commerce/ICC. It is useful to at least understand the existence of Incoterms and visit ICC’s website if further explanation is needed.
The leading last mile delivery solution to the USA remains the US Postal Service, USPS. Online shippers can access USPS delivery direct (via Global Direct Entry, for example) or via a reseller / USPS partner (such as Pitney Bowes).
While the USPS is the default (i.e best overall) option over all for last mile delivery to the USA, best in class e-commerce imports to the USA utilize multiple ports of entry to benefit from low cost ground delivery via FedEx, UPS or - increasingly - local carriers.
Shipping to USA via Canada and to Canada directCanada and the USA remain among the world's most connected economies but have very different processes for import of parcels. Canada has a much lower duty free threshold and e-commerce parcel import is done via the Low Value System /LVS for goods up to CA$3,300. Goods can be transhipped via Canada to the USA (as mentioned above). Goods shipped directly from the USA have a higher low value duty free threshold (see graphic below) thanks to the USMCA/ CUSMA free trade agreement.
Canadian shippers are subject to the same import rules but benefit from the USMCA/ CUSMA free trade agreement (mentioned above) being able to take advantage of low cost truck and rail. Parcels shipped via ground carrier are subject to entry preparation fees.
Canadian companies benefit from proximity to the USA, USMCA CUSMA free trade and air freight availability.
Jet Worldwide has been providing innovative single parcel shipping solutions for over 35 years - in what is now referred to as cross border e-commerce. Our e-commerce logistics consultant team helps companies develop best in class solutions to- and from - North America:
Contact Jet's team to build best in class processes for shipping online orders direct from the USA and Canada: To the UK, European Union, Japan, China, Australia/ New Zealand, Caribbean, South America and and all the world's major economies and regions.
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