Doing Business in USA | USA Imports & Exports

The good news for your business? Consumers there are well versed in shopping from cross-border brands, so all you need is an international shipping partner and you can take a slice of the very lucrative pie! Read on as we explore how to export to the USA, including the consumer trends and insights that will help your business tap into this thriving market.

MARKET OVERVIEW

Where does the USA import from the most?

The country is the world's largest importer of goods, followed by China and Germany⁶.

USA’s top trading partners in 2022, by import value (in billion US dollars)⁷

DOING BUSINESS IN THE USA: CONSUMER TRENDS

Where do consumers in the USA shop online?

Online marketplaces can be a helpful gateway for cross-border businesses wishing to sell to a new country for the first time.

Here are the most popular marketplaces in the USA, based on share of visits (April 2023)⁸:

What are they buying?

The variety of products that can be purchased online in America is continuously growing. Within the US consumer base, clothing and shoes stand out as the top two preferred categories for online transactions. 

Most popular categories for online purchases in the USA, as of September 2023⁹

How do American consumers like to pay for their online purchases?

Consumers in the USA favor mobile wallets and credit cards over other payment methods, likely due to the widespread popularity and positive user experiences associated with mobile payment apps such as Paypal.

After all, research shows that 61% of e-commerce shoppers will abandon their cart if they cannot pay using their preferred payment method¹⁰.

What do American online shoppers care about?       

Excellent/personalized customer service

In a US consumer survey, this was considered by respondents to be the main thing online retailers should prioritize.¹²

Fast and free shipping

90% of US online shoppers expect two- to three-day delivery as a baseline, whilst 30% look for a same-day service at checkout. 66% expect free delivery on all orders.¹³

Sustainability

62% of American consumers say that sustainability is an important consideration when they shop online, whilst 27% would be prepared to pay more for green delivery. ¹⁴

AI-enhanced shopping experiences

74% of US shoppers said they’re interested in using generative AI to obtain detailed information about products they’re considering buying.¹⁵ The technology is particularly appealing to Gen Z: 55% would like an AI assistant to simplify product discovery, whilst 51% want to try augmented and virtual reality experiences.¹⁶

Leading shopping holidays in the USA

ENTERING THE MARKET

Exporting to the USA: required documentation

When shipping internationally, there are several pieces of documentation commonly required to clear your goods through customs smoothly and help authorities determine what import taxes and duties are due:

• Commercial Invoice
• Bill of Lading
• Air Waybill
• Certificate of Origin
• Export and Import Licenses
• Export Packing List
• Insurance Certificate

This dedicated guide goes into detail on each document, including what information you’ll need to complete it.

The end of the de minimis exemption

What changed?

The de minimis exemption was a US trade rule that allowed goods valued under US$800 to enter the country without paying duties or taxes, and with minimal customs checks.

But from August 29, 2025, all shipments into the US will be subject to duties and taxes – regardless of value and origin. For small and medium-sized businesses, it’s a significant shift. It means that even shipments valued under $800 may now face:

• Duties and taxes, depending on the product and origin
• Full customs declarations
• Delays at the border if paperwork isn’t in order
   

What this means for your business

If you're exporting to US customers, particularly via e-commerce, it’s crucial to:

• No longer assume shipments under $800 are exempt from duties or checks

• Classify your goods correctly using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)

• Provide accurate and complete documentation, even for low-value shipments

• Consider DTP (Duties & Taxes Paid) shipping to reduce friction for your customers

• Stay updated on US customs changes, especially if you ship frequently or in volume

Partnering with an experienced logistics provider like DHL can help you navigate these changes and stay compliant while continuing to grow your US customer base.

Prohibited commodities

Several commodities are not permitted for shipment by DHL under any circumstances, following full consideration by the operational, legal and risk management teams. They include animals, hazardous or combustible materials, and illegal narcotics. The full list can be found here.

Useful resources  

• US Customs & Border Protection: cbp.gov
• US Food & Drug Administration: fda.gov
• HTS & Duty Rates: usitc.gov
• Regulations: ecfr.gov

DHL’S expert tips for exporting to the USA

• Ensure you provide complete, accurate and compliant information on the shipment’s Waybill and Customs/Commercial Invoice to avoid it being delayed at customs.
• Provide an accurate and detailed goods description on the Commercial Invoice. Generic descriptions such as "samples" or "spare parts" are not sufficient. 
• Consider shipping your goods as Duties & Taxes Paid (DTP). Whilst the payment of duties and taxes on international shipments is typically the responsibility of the receiver – i.e., your customer – DHL does offer a DTP service to account holders. This means DHL will invoice the shipper (your business) to cover the costs. The benefit of this is the end customer will not receive an unexpected tax bill when their package arrives at customs – which may damage their opinion of your brand.