USA sectors

At BorderBuddy, we specialize in supporting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprise companies that import and supply retailers with goods. Our expertise spans across North America, Asia, and the rest of the world, covering a diverse range of product segments and all modes of transportation. With over 25,000 SMB clients in the US and Canada, we are dedicated to making cross-border trade seamless and efficient.

Why Retailers and Suppliers Need BorderBuddy

• Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with U.S. laws to avoid delays and penalties.
• Efficient Supply Chain Management: Streamlining operations for smooth supply chain management.
• Improved Customer Experience:  Managing timely deliveries and handling returns.
• Cost Reduction: Optimizing duty payments and leveraging free trade agreements.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identifying and addressing compliance issues.
• Leveraging Technology: Powered by zipments.io, for efficient import/export management.

Product Segments

• e-commerce Goods: Fast-moving consumer goods. Learn more
• Retail: Clothing to electronics. Learn more
• Auto Parts: Compliance with safety standards. Learn more
• Machinery and Heavy Equipment: Construction machinery. Learn more
• Pharmaceuticals and Health Products: Medicines and medical devices. Learn more
• Food and Beverages: Safety and quality compliance. Learn more
• Clothing and Textiles: Apparel and fabrics. Learn more
• Furniture: Compliance and logistics expertise. Learn more
• Technology & Consumer Electronics: Quick clearance and protection. Learn more
• Plants and Flowers: Garden centers and horticultural products. Learn more

At BorderBuddy, we specialize in facilitating the importation of agricultural products and live animals into the United States. Our services cater to both small and medium-sized businesses as well as large enterprises, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.

Why Importers Need BorderBuddy for Agriculture and Live Animals

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Navigating complex regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Ensuring accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Regulates agricultural imports.
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates public health-related products.
   • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Oversees animal and plant imports.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 1: Live Animals
   • Chapter 2: Meat and Edible Meat Offal
   • Chapter 3: Fish and Crustaceans
   • Chapter 4: Dairy Produce; Birds’ Eggs; Natural Honey
   • Chapter 6: Live Trees and Other Plants
4. Common Duty Rates:
   • Live Animals: Varies significantly.
   • Meat and Edible Meat Offal: 0% to 10%.
   • Dairy Products: 20% to over 40%.
   • Produce: 0% to 8%.
5. Special Considerations:
   • Animal Health and Safety: Compliance with health regulations.
   • Food Safety: Meeting U.S. food safety standards.
   • Permits and Quotas: Certain products require permits.

At BorderBuddy, we specialize in facilitating the importation of machinery, heavy equipment, and construction equipment into the United States.

Why importers need BorderBuddy for machinery and equipment

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Navigating complex regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling HS code classification and documentation.
   • Risk Management:  Ensuring accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Oversees environmental compliance.
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Involved in agricultural machinery imports.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 84: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery, and Mechanical Appliances
   • Chapter 85: Electrical Machinery and Equipment
   • Chapter 87: Vehicles and Parts
4. Common Duty Rates  and Tax Liabilities:
   • Chapter 84: 0% to 9%.
   • Chapter 85: 0% to 6.5%.
   • Chapter 87: 0% to 10%.
   • Additional Taxes: Federal excise taxes, state sales tax.
5. Types of Machinery and Equipment:
   • Heavy Equipment: Bulldozers, cranes.
   • Agricultural Equipment: Tractors, harvesters.
   • Construction Equipment: Excavators, loaders.
   • Industrial Machinery: Manufacturing equipment.

At BorderBuddy, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the complex landscape of importing pharmaceuticals, health, and beauty products into the United States.

Why Importers Need BorderBuddy for Pharmaceuticals, Health & Beauty Products

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with stringent regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved: Accurate documentation and adherence to regulations to protect your business.
   • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates health-related products.
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Regulates certain health products.
   • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Regulates controlled substances.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 30: Pharmaceutical Products
   • Chapter 33: Essential Oils and Perfumery
   • Chapter 34: Soap and Washing Preparations
   • Chapter 35: Albuminoidal Substances
   • Chapter 38: Miscellaneous Chemical Products
   • Chapter 39: Plastics and Articles
   • Chapter 40: Rubber and Articles
   • Chapter 90: Medical Instruments and Apparatus
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities
   • Pharmaceutical Products: Generally duty-free.
   • Cosmetics and Beauty Products: 0% to 10%.
   • Medical Devices: Generally duty-free.
   • Additional Taxes: Federal excise tax, state sales tax.

Importing food and beverages into the United States involves adhering to various regulations, standards, and procedures to ensure the safety and quality of products entering the U.S. market.

Why Importers Need BorderBuddy for Food and Beverages

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ensures food safety and labeling.
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Oversees meat and dairy imports.
   • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Regulates pesticide residues.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 4: Dairy ProduceChapter
   • 7: Edible VegetablesChapter
   • 8: Edible Fruit and NutsChapter
   • 16: Preparations of Meat and FishChapter
   • 19: Preparations of Cereals and FlourChapter
   • 20: Preparations of Vegetables and FruitsChapter
   • 21: Miscellaneous Edible Preparations
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities
   • Dairy Products: 0% to 25%.
   • Edible Vegetables: 0% to 20%.
   • Edible Fruit and Nuts: 0% to 14.9%.
   • Preparations of Meat and Fish: 0% to 20%.
   • Preparations of Cereals and Flour: 0% to 11%.
   • Preparations of Vegetables and Fruits: 0% to 14.9%.
   • Miscellaneous Edible Preparations: 0% to 11%.

Importing clothing and textiles into the United States involves navigating a complex web of regulations, standards, and procedures to ensure compliance with U.S. laws.

Why Importers Need BorderBuddy for clothing and textils

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA): Oversees import controls for textiles.
   • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Ensures safety of certain textile products.
   • Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Regulates textile safety.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 50: Silk
   • Chapter 51: Wool
   • Chapter 52: Cotton
   • Chapter 53: Other Vegetable Textile Fibers
   • Chapter 54: Man-made Filaments
   • Chapter 55: Man-made Staple Fibers
   • Chapter 56: Wadding, Felt, and Nonwovens
   • Chapter 57: Carpets and Other Textile Floor Coverings
   • Chapter 58: Special Woven FabricsChapter 59: Impregnated, Coated Textile Fabrics
   • Chapter 60: Knitted or Crocheted Fabrics
   • Chapter 61: Articles of Apparel, Knitted or Crocheted
   • Chapter 62: Articles of Apparel, Not Knitted or Crocheted
   • Chapter 63: Other Made-up Textile Articles
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities
   • Clothing: 16% to 18%.
   • Textiles: 5% to 12%.
   • Additional Taxes: State sales tax.
5. Special Considerations:
   • Children’s Clothing: May have different duty rates and tax exemptions.
   • Trade Agreements: USMCA provides preferential tariff treatment.

Importing food and beverages into the United States involves adhering to various regulations, standards, and procedures to ensure the safety and quality of products entering the U.S. market.

Why furniture importers need BorderBuddy

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Navigating complex regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Regulates wood product imports.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 94: Furniture
     • 9401: Seats
     • 9402: Medical, Surgical Furniture
     • 9403: Other Furniture
     • 9405: Lamps and Lighting Fittings
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities:
   • Wooden Furniture: Around 6%.
   • Metal Furniture: Varies by classification.
   • Additional Taxes: State sales tax.

Importing raw materials into the United States involves understanding various regulations, classifications, duty rates, and restrictions.

Why Importers Need BorderBuddy for plastics and raw materials

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Navigating complex regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Regulates environmental compliance.
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): Regulates food safety standards.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 39: Plastics and Articles
   • Chapter 40: Rubber and Articles
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities:
   • Plastics: 0% to 6%.
   • Rubber: Varies by classification.
   • Additional Taxes: Federal excise tax, state sales tax.

Importing technology and electronic goods into the USA involves navigating a complex landscape of regulations, classifications, duty rates, and restrictions.

Why importers need BorderBuddy for technology and electronics

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process: Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Enforces import regulations.
   • Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Regulates communication devices.
   • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Regulates health-related electronics.
   • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): Oversees standards.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 84: Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery, and Mechanical Appliances
   • Chapter 85: Electrical Machinery and Equipment
   • Chapter 90: Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical or Surgical Instruments
4. Common Duty Rates:
   • Duty Rates: Generally 0% to 9%.
   • Additional Taxes: State sales tax.

Importing plants and flowers into the United States involves adhering to various regulations and standards to ensure that these imports do not harm local agriculture or ecosystems.

Why importers need BorderBuddy for plants and flowers

1. Process:
   • Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
   • Streamlined Import Process:  Handling documentation and customs clearance.
   • Risk Management: Accurate documentation to avoid fines.
2. Government Agencies Involved:
   • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP: Enforces import regulations.
   • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS: Oversees plant imports.
   • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA: Regulates agricultural products.
3. HS Code Classification:
   • Chapter 6: Live Trees and Other Plants
   • Chapter 7: Edible Vegetables and Certain Roots
   • Chapter 12: Oil Seeds and Oleaginous Fruits
4. Common Duty Rates and Tax Liabilities:
   • Live Plants and Flowers: 0% to 8%.
   • Edible Plants and Vegetables: 0% to 10%.
   • Seeds and Other Plant Products: 0% to 9.5%.
   • Additional Taxes: State sales tax.
5. Types of Plants and Flowers:
   • House Plants: Indoor ornamental plants.
   • Outdoor Plants: Garden plants, shrubs, and trees.
   • Agricultural Plants: Crops and seeds.
6. Special Considerations:
   • Orchids: Highly regulated due to pest risks.
   • Greenhouses and Growers: Must adhere to specific regulations.