Shipping from Singapore to the USA

OVERVIEW OF IMPORT REGULATIONS TO THE US

Autos, auto parts, Medium-and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), and Medium-and heavy-duty vehicle parts (MHDVPs): 25% for all countries with the following exceptions: 1)For Canada and Mexico: parts that qualify for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempted, 2)UK parts 10% (including GDR) , 3)Parts from EU, Japan, and South Korea: 15% minus GDR (for products with a GDR <15% , and 0% for products with GDR ≥15%).

Steel, Aluminum and Copper products and derivatives: 50% (UK 25%, RU aluminum 200%); EU products listed in Annex I of the Notice Implementing the US-EU Framework Agreement are exempted from Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and auto/auto parts.

Timber, Lumber, and derivative products: 10% (softwood timber/lumber), 25% (upholstered wooden products – 30% from January 1, 2027), 25% (kitchen cabinets and vanities, including parts – increasing to 50% on January 1, 2027). Imports from UK are subject to 10%, and imports from EU, Japan, and South Korea are capped at 15% including GDR (for products with a GDR <15% , and 0% for products with GDR ≥15%).

Semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment and derivative products: 25% on imports of certain advanced computing chips and certain derivative products listed in the Annex. Certain exemptions apply.

Effective February 24, 2026, and will remain in effect for 150 days (July 24, 2026)

10% import tariff on all imported goods, regardless of their value or country of origin. This applies in addition to the applicable GDR. Details of the exemptions to this tariff are described in Annex I and Annex II of the Proclamation.

Shipments valued from US$1 to US$2,500

• Duties & Taxes based on HTSUS*

Shipments valued above US$2,500

• Duties & Taxes based on HTSUS**
• Requires Ultimate consignee Tax ID

Effective 8th July 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is implementing a mandatory electronic filing (eFiling) requirement for Certificates of Compliance (CPC/GCC) for all regulated finished consumer products imported into the United States.

• Importers (or their broker) must submit certificate data electronically to Customs via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) at time of entry using either the Full Partner Government Agency (PGA) Message Set (7 data elements), the Reference Message Set tied to the CPSC Product Registry or, where applicable, determine whether a disclaimer applies and provide the correct Intended Use Code to support that declaration.
• Certificates (Children Product Certificate or CPC / General Certificate of Conformity or GCC) must now be electronically filed to Customs via ACE, not simply maintained or stored. The underlying testing requirements do not change; only the filing method does.
• ~600 Harmonized Tariff Codes (HTS) now flagged to trigger CPSC PGA requirements regardless of value (shipments subject to CPSC eFilingwill not be eligible for informal consolidated clearance and will be held for separate entry.

Things to know about shipping to USA

• For original works of art, the invoice must still include the artist's name, production year, edition (if applicable), and artwork title. More information is available at https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article1143?language=en_US

• A signed Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Declaration may still be required for shipments containing chemical substances, mixtures, or articles with chemical components. Compliance certification is necessary for CBP release. Refer to the EPA website for more information: https://www.epa.gov/tsca-import-export-requirements/tsca-requirements-importing-chemicals. Specifying TSCA compliance or non-applicability on shipping documents remains crucial. Providing a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is still recommended.

• As of July 7, 2023, all commercial cosmetics imports require FDA approval before CBP clearance. Formal entry filing is mandatory, including CBP Form 301, entry summary, bill of lading, and commercial invoice. Filing must occur within 5 working days of arrival. Providing the manufacturer’s registration/establishment number and a cosmetic registration number is still recommended to avoid delays. Refer to https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-international-activities/cosmetics-importers for more information.

• Commercial B2B Shipments: Import of OTC and prescription medications remains highly regulated. The import invoice must include: FDA approval permit, registration and listing, premarket submission information, declared manufacturer and importer/consignee, precise product description (dosage, form, generic name, derivation, chemical composition), affirmations of compliance, and intended use codes. More details can be found at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/guidance-compliance-regulatory-information/human-drug-imports.
• Non-Prescriptive OTC Medication (B2C/C2C): Import by individuals is generally prohibited.
• Prescribed Medications (Individuals): Import is limited to a 3-month (90-day) supply under specific conditions: no effective treatment available in the USA, doctor's documentation (name, address, drug details, quantity, condition), and for US citizens, their SSN; for foreign citizens, passport and number, including their US stay duration. See https://www.fda.gov/industry/import-basics/personal-importation for further information.

• FDA clearance is still required for sunglasses, spectacles, lenses, frames, and magnifying spectacles. The consignee’s Tax ID and Power of Attorney are needed. Lenses must comply with impact-resistant regulations (http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/ucm150001.htm).

• The requirement for Textile Declarations has been removed. Shippers now need to report the complete name and address of the manufacturer for each article in the shipment. The Commercial Invoice should include all other necessary details like fabric content, intended gender, knit/woven specification, and the individual value of each item.

Regulations for food imports remain stringent.

• Cheese and Cheese Products: Subject to FDA and USDA regulations and potential quotas.
• Milk and Cream Products: Governed by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Import Milk Act, potentially requiring permits from the FDA and USDA.
• Meat and Meat Food Products: Derived from specific animals (cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses) are under USDA regulations and require inspection by the FSIS and CBP Agriculture Program and Liaison Office. Meat products from other sources are subject to APHIS regulations. Inspection certificates from the origin country are mandatory for all imported meat, poultry, and egg products. Consult https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Importing%20into%20the%20U.S.pdf for more details.
• Honey: Import for bee feed is regulated by the USDA (refer to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/organism-soil-imports/honey-bees-other-bees/importation-restricted-bee-articles). Honey for human consumption falls under the FDA’s CFSAN and requires separate permits/documentation.
• FDA Registration and Prior Notice: Shippers must still register with the FDA and provide prior notice for all food shipments, with exceptions for genuine non-commercial gift packs and personal gifts. More information is available at http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/ImportsExports/default.htm.
• Agricultural Commodities: Certain commodities may still require FSIS inspection for import compliance.
• Cotton and Tomato Products from Xinjiang: Restrictions on products originating from or containing cotton and tomatoes from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China due to forced labor concerns remain in effect. Such shipments may be detained, seized, exported, or destroyed unless the importer can provide evidence of non-forced labor.

• Both CBP and FDA clearance are still necessary for all surgical and hospital instruments. Importers must provide the FDA with declared manufacturer and importer/consignee details, product description, and Affirmations of Compliance (A of C). More information is available at https://www.fda.gov/industry/importing-fda-regulated-products/importing-medical-devices. For the import of COVID-19 related supplies, refer to the guidance at https://www.fda.gov/industry/importing-fda-regulated-products/importing-covid-19-supplies.

• The requirement for a test summary for lithium cell or battery shipments remains in effect. This summary must include detailed information as previously outlined (manufacturer details, test lab details, report information, cell/battery description, test results, UN Manual reference, and signatory details). The prohibition on shipping damaged or defective Samsung Galaxy Note7 batteries via air remains until further notice from aviation authorities.

• Import of motor vehicles still requires NHTSA approval. Approved vehicles must have a certificate with manufacturer details, date of manufacture, and FMVSS compliance statement.

• The conditions for conditionally duty-free entry of household effects (used abroad for at least one year, not for sale or another person, excluding clothing, jewelry, photography equipment, portable radios, and vehicles) remain. Duty is usually waived on personal effects older than one year. Vehicles are still subject to duties. A CF3299 form should be completed before importation (https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1392?language=en_US).

• Strict APHIS inspection and quarantine requirements apply to all plant, plant products, livestock, animals, and animal by-products. Shipments without prior approval are subject to seizure or Return to Origin (RTO). Refer to https://www.aphis.usda.gov/ for detailed information. Obtaining necessary permits before import and including them with the paperwork is crucial. Consignee tax ID and Power of Attorney (POA) may also be required. Certain products might still need a CITES document attached externally (refer to http://www.fws.gov).

• Import is regulated by the TTB, and a valid import permit is still required for all cigars, cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco, and roll-your-own tobacco. Refer to https://www.ttb.gov/regulated-commodities/tobacco/importer and https://www.fda.gov/industry/importing-fda-regulated-products/importing-tobacco-products for specific regulations and labeling requirements. The prohibition on importing and exporting e-cigarettes, vape devices, products, and accessories to and from the US (excluding transit shipments) remains in place as of March 26, 2021.

• Items are subject to import duties or taxes based on declared value. It is important to provide accurate descriptions and invoices at all times.
• Always include a detailed customs declaration. The listed value should be the cost or selling price of your trading card.