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The demand for imported air purifiers in the U.S. has grown significantly over time. Consumers and businesses desire for clean air has driven this demand and isn’t expected to slow down. If you’re looking to get into the business of importing air purifiers to the U.S. there are some important details you need to be aware of.
When importing air purifiers to the U.S, EPA Form 3540-1 must be completed and submitted prior to entry. Additional documents such as the commercial invoice, Bill of Lading, and packing list are also required. A Licensed Customs Broker can process and file all required documents on behalf of an importer.
The comprehensive guide below provides you with everything you need to successfully import air purifiers to the U.S.
Work with a specialist to make importing and exporting to the USA a hassle-free process.
Air purifiers are categorized as an emission producing product according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some air filters contain pesticide products. These types of air purifiers are considered pesticide devices and importers are required to file a Notice of Arrival for the EPA, the official name being EPA Form 3540-1. The EPA Form 3540-1 must be sent to the United States Customs Border and Protection (CBP) before any pesticide devices can be shipped into the United States. Failure to comply with these regulations could have serious ramifications.
Importers in the past have been fined and punished significantly for not complying with this rule, and in particular cases having to pay fines of millions of dollars. In 2020, Electrolux Home Products, Inc. was responsible for the illegal import of air filter products containing traces of nanosilver, a pesticide. This mass importation occurred across eleven points of entry in the U.S. and involved approximately 420,000 Frigidaire dehumidifiers and air conditioners incorporating the unregistered nanosilver. The application of nanosilver for antibacterial purposes rendering all these products as pesticides according to FIFRA.
It is illegal to import pesticide products if they haven’t been registered with the EPA. In Electrolux’s case, the fines exceeded $6,000,000. Nanosilver pesticides are not registered by the EPA to be used in household appliances and this includes air purifiers. This is because the risks to humans due to exposure via air particles have not been sufficiently assessed. In order to resolve the issue, Electrolux had to replace all the air filters that incorporated unregistered nanosilver and update pesticidal claims for all their imported air purifiers, and existing products in the U.S. Electrolux has withdrawn over 500,000 air conditioners and dehumidifiers since the settlement and brought them back to compliance.
This case outlines the risk factors involved when importing air purifiers to the U.S. Without following the correct procedures and adhering to all regulations, you could end up with substantial fines and this could cause downtime in your business. It’s essential to understand what you need to do in order to comply with import regulations and be proactive in your approach. A licensed customs broker will help you to avoid these types of issues and will have the expertise to inform you of all import requirements.
In order to ensure you’re compliant with regulations when importing air purifiers to the U.S., you need to file the appropriate import documents. A Licensed Customs Broker will be able to inform you as to which documents are required and they will take care of any necessary paperwork. There are certain basic documents that need to be filed, plus additional documents according to more unique cases.
In typical cases of international trade, there are four standard documents required to clear imports. Your Customs Broker will be able to assist you with these. If you’re importing air purifiers to the U.S. It’s imperative that these are prepared and filed in a timely fashion. This will make the process of getting through customs much easier.
You will also need to take into consideration the ISF Filing requirement for shipments arriving via ocean. The ISF Filing was passed in 2009 to reduce the risk of smuggling. If you’re importing air purifiers to the U.S. via ocean vessels you must also meet the ISF Filing deadline. This is twenty-four hours before cargo being imported into the U.S. is loaded onto a departing ship. The ISF deadline is enforced by the CBP and if it’s not met this can incur penalties and cause further inspections resulting in delays.
Another important requirement when importing air purifiers to the U.S. is ensuring your products are classified with the correct HTS code. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes are product classifications for customs. It’s essential to know these when you’re importing air purifiers to the U.S. in order to establish your rate of duty. They are made up of numbers and the last few digits depend on the country. As an importer, you are responsible for classifying your products according to the right HTS codes to avoid any penalties or delays at customs.
This code will enable you to determine various factors including the specific import requirements needed and the amount of duty that needs to be paid. If you fail to classify your air purifiers with the correct HTS code, you can experience significant delays that result in you being liable for paying higher import duty. By working with a Licensed Customs Broker, you’ll be able to assign the correct HTS code and avoid these types of problems.
Work with a specialist to make importing and exporting to the USA a hassle-free process.
When importing goods to the U.S. from China it’s increasingly important to research the regulations with which you’ll need to comply. Trade relations between the U.S. and China have been unstable at times, especially since 2018 with the introduction of the Section 301 tariffs. In many cases, these amount to at least an additional 25% duty on various Chinese imports which contained industrially significant technologies.
Many Chinese origin products can also be subject to antidumping and countervailing duties. These additional duties are put in place when an imported product is priced significantly less than its U.S. counterpart. This measure protects the integrity of U.S. origin goods. A Licensed Customs Broker will be able to determine whether the products you are importing fall under this category or are subject to any additional duties.
Import and customs regulations are always changing and for this reason, it’s recommended that you consult with a licensed customs broker who will understand your specific needs and commodities. This is where USA Customs Clearance can help you. Our import experts and Licensed Customs Brokers have extensive knowledge and experience pertaining to customs clearance. No matter what you’re importing or where it’s being imported from, we’ll be able to help you.
Even better, thanks to our relationship with our sister company, R+L Global Logistics, we can provide you with additional supply chain services including:
By partnering with us, you gain access to a one-stop shop for all of your transportation and logistics needs.
When you’re ready, schedule a consulting session with one of our Licensed Customs Brokers or request a customs brokerage services quote today.
Work with a specialist to make importing and exporting to the USA a hassle-free process.
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