Food Contact Materials from China: What the Glass and Fork Symbol Really Means
The glass and fork symbol is not a certificate: here is what EU and US importers of food contact goods actually need on file.
Certificates and documents
EU’s PPWR compliance for importers
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, has been in force since August 12, 2026. If you import packaged goods into the EU, you are expected to keep a PPWR compliance file ready and to show … Read more
Telex Release When Importing from China: What It Is and When to Use It
Your container is on the quay at Rotterdam. The vessel came in a day early, and the time is against you. The courier envelope with the three original bills of lading left Shenzhen on Friday and is sitting in a … Read more
Dual-use goods when importing from China: export controls, licences and what to check
An importer ordered 40 inspection drones with thermal cameras from a Shenzhen factory. Deposit paid, production finished, then the supplier went quiet on shipping dates. The reason came out six weeks later: the thermal sensor on that model sat above … Read more
Undervalued Invoice from China – What to Do?
Imagine this: you place an order in China worth USD 15,000. The invoice arrives from your Chinese supplier, and the declared value says USD 6,000. For some importers, the first reaction is obvious: lower value means lower duty and lower … Read more
Bill of Lading and LCL imports
When you import smaller shipments from China, many problems do not start at the destination port. They start much earlier, at the paperwork stage. In real life, it takes only one mistake in the consignee’s details, one unclear entry on … Read more
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the European Union
The European Union is constantly introducing new rules aimed at removing obstacles to achieving a low-emission, circular economy. This often entails additional obligations for producers and importers. One such scheme in the EU is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). What do producers and importers need to know about EPR? … Read more
Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110: A practical guide
Regulation 2024/3110 replaces Regulation 305/2011 and introduces harmonized rules for the marketing of construction products in the EU. Find out how Regulation 2024/3110 affects the obligations of importers and manufacturers, whether CE marking for construction products is required, and much more. … Read more
IP68 and IP69 – which one is better?
Consumer electronics is a category that consists of computer equipment, TVs, cameras, small home appliances, accessories, and much more. Especially in the case of mobile devices, it is important for consumers that they are resistant to water and dust. On … Read more
EN 71-3 – Safety of toys – Migration of certain elements: a complete guide
Toys in the European Union are regulated by the Toy Directive 2009/48/EC. Manufacturers can produce toys in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard to ensure compliance with the directive. The key series of standards on toy safety is EN 71. … Read more
Sourcing from China and Certificate of Origin
A certificate of origin is a key document in international trade. It provides information about the country in which the goods were produced, processed, or obtained. For those who source from China, it is often an essential element of customs … Read more
Importing from China – required documents
Importing from China is a great business idea, provided that the importer prepares for it when it comes to formal matters. One of the key aspects of any import is preparing the required documentation, as if there are any irregularities … Read more
Chinese export license – is it required?
Commercial contracts are an important tool for securing international transactions. They are especially important if products are imported from China. When importing from China, the topic of the so-called Chinese export license often came up. Is a Chinese export license currently … Read more
How much is CE?
The CE certificate, or CE marking, to be exact, is necessary for many products introduced to the European Union market. If a product bears the CE mark it means that the manufacturer declares compliance with the applicable regulations. However, many … Read more
Understanding the 800 USD duty-free rule for imports in the US
If you import into the US, you have probably heard about the 800 USD duty-free rule. The 800 USD duty-free exemption is important for individuals and businesses that ship or import goods into the United States. We break down the … Read more
CBAM reporting – how to do it?
Do you source products from carbon-intensive industries, such as aluminum, iron, steel, or cement? From October 1, 2023, they are subject to new obligations when bringing goods into the customs territory of the European Union under CBAM. One of the … Read more
Single-Use Plastics Directive in the European Union
One of the European Union’s goals in terms of environmental politics is regulating single-use plastic products. Reducing the volume and impact of some plastic products’ environment is a great concern for the EU bodies. Therefore, the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive … Read more
CBAM – EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Rules regarding the import of steel, aluminum, and other products came into force on October 1, 2023. The European Union’s CBAM tool aims to encourage cleaner manufacturing in non-EU countries. What are importers’ obligations related to CBAM? CBAM – what … Read more
What goods are covered by CBAM? CBAM goods codes
The EU CBAM mechanism set new obligations for importers of products from energy-intensive industries, such as iron, aluminum, cement, and steel. One of the obligations is to submit declarations. What exactly are CBAM goods, and what are their codes? What … Read more
Documents after customs clearance in the US – entry summary explained
A customs clearance process is required to facilitate the import of goods. The process usually takes 24 hours in the United States, provided the paperwork is in order. How can you know that the entry was accepted and the goods … Read more
Letter of credit
When you import goods from abroad, you might worry that your supplier will disappear with your product and your money after payment goes through. The best way to secure your interest is by signing a letter of credit. It is … Read more
CBP Form 3461
Customs release process can feel like forever. Who would not want to speed up the release of goods? If your import into the US, you can speed up the process by submitting CBP Form 3461, the Customs Release document. What … Read more
CBP Form 7501
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been overseeing America’s borders and ports of entry since 2003. To carry out customs procedures in import into the US, you must present the CBP with many documents and pay due duties. … Read more
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
CPSC is a federal organization that protects consumers from harmful products in the USA. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a landmark consumer product safety law amended by this organization in 2008. What does the CPSIA regulate? What is … Read more
What is the Unified Social Credit Code?
When importing from China, you’ll come across some terms that are crucial to know. One of them is the Unified Social Credit Code (USCC). This code is issued to all registered companies and various organizations throughout Mainland China. What exactly … Read more
REACH regulation
The European Union has set a goal of minimizing the significant negative effects on human health and the environment caused by the production and use of chemicals. One of the measures against such effects is the REACH regulation. If you … Read more
SDS Safety Data Sheet
The SDS Safety Data Sheet (formerly known as MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet) is a document required for all types of substances that are considered dangerous. The usage of goods containing such substances without the SDS is prohibited in … Read more
Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
Children can easily be harmed if the product they use is unsafe. Therefore, there are many regulations on the market, ensuring that toys and other children’s products do not put children in danger. One such regulation is a requirement for … Read more
UL Certification
When running a business, the safety of your workers and clients should always be a priority. Some fields are riskier than others, and equivalent safety measures have been set to ensure the sold products are not dangerous to use. In … Read more
CPSC – Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is an independent federal organization protecting consumers from the risks associated with using various types of products. The agency has jurisdiction over a wide range of goods meant to be sold on the US market. … Read more