First Shipment from China: A Step-by-Step Checklist Before You Place Your Order

Customs & rules · Updated June 2026

Importing from China for the first time involves more moving parts than most new importers expect. The ocean freight booking is the easy part. The customs clearance, compliance, and cost estimation steps that come before and after are where first-timers run into problems.

This checklist covers what to do before you place the order, before the goods ship, and before the vessel arrives. Working through these steps once means your first shipment clears cleanly -- and sets up every shipment after it.

Key takeaways

--Find your HTS code and calculate total landed cost (product + freight + duties + broker + inland freight) before you place the order.
--A customs bond and a licensed customs broker are required for commercial shipments over $2,500. Arrange both before the goods ship.
--The ISF must be filed 24 hours before loading at the Chinese port -- not when the vessel arrives. Missing it is a $5,000 penalty.
--Documents needed for every shipment: commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Have them ready before the vessel sails.
--The most common first-shipment mistake: discovering a 25% Section 301 tariff after the order is placed. Do the landed cost math first.

Before you place the order

Find your HTS code. The 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule code determines your import duty rate. Look up your product at hts.usitc.gov. If you are unsure, ask your supplier for the HS code they use on their export declaration -- it is not always the same as the US HTS code, but it is a useful starting point for your broker.
Calculate your total landed cost. Add the product cost, ocean freight, import duties (HTS duty rate plus any applicable Section 301 tariff), customs broker fee, and inland freight to your warehouse. Do this before you place the order, not after. The duty alone can be 25% or more of the product value for goods subject to Section 301 tariffs.
Check for anti-dumping and countervailing duties. Search your HTS code on CBP's ADD/CVD database at cbp.gov. If your product is covered by an AD/CVD order, the combined duty rate may be far higher than the standard HTS rate.
Verify your supplier's export licenses and product compliance. Confirm that your product can be exported from China (most goods can, but some require export licenses) and meets US regulatory requirements for import (FCC, CPSC, FDA, etc. depending on product category).
Check country of origin marking requirements. Plan how goods will be marked 'Made in China' permanently on the article itself. Include this in your purchase order to the supplier.

Before the goods ship

Engage a customs broker. A licensed customs broker files your entry with CBP and handles customs clearance. For your first shipment, a broker is not optional -- it is how you avoid costly errors. Fees typically run $150 to $350 per entry.
Obtain a customs bond. A continuous import bond ($300 to $500 per year) or a single-entry bond ($50 to $150) is required for commercial shipments valued over $2,500. Your customs broker can arrange this.
Engage a freight forwarder. Your freight forwarder books the ocean freight, coordinates pickup at the Chinese factory, and handles the bill of lading. Some brokers also act as freight forwarders; others are separate. Clarify early.
Confirm your Incoterms. FOB (Free on Board) is the most common for small importers from China -- the supplier delivers to the origin port and your cost and risk begin there. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means the supplier handles everything including US duties, but you give up cost visibility and control.
Arrange cargo insurance. Standard carrier liability is limited (often $500 per package under COGSA). Marine cargo insurance covers the full declared value of your goods. Typical cost: 0.3% to 0.8% of the insured value.
Prepare the commercial invoice and packing list. You need these for the customs entry. The commercial invoice must show the correct declared value (the actual transaction price), accurate product descriptions, and country of origin. Do not undervalue -- CBP compares declared values against known market prices.

Before the vessel arrives (ocean freight only)

File the ISF (Importer Security Filing). For ocean freight, the ISF must be filed with CBP at least 24 hours before the vessel loads your container at the Chinese port. Your customs broker or freight forwarder typically handles this for $25 to $75. Missing the ISF deadline is a $5,000 penalty and can result in your cargo not being loaded.
Confirm your customs entry is ready. Your broker needs the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading to file the entry. Send documents as soon as they are available -- do not wait until the vessel arrives. Entries can be filed up to 5 days before vessel arrival.
Confirm drayage. Arrange local trucking from the port or CFS to your warehouse. Confirm the truck booking before the vessel arrives, not after -- truck capacity at major ports can be tight during peak season.
Know your free time. At the port terminal, you typically have 4 to 5 free days after container availability before demurrage charges begin ($75 to $150 per container per day). At a CFS for LCL cargo, free time is typically 3 to 5 days. Know the free time window before the vessel arrives.

Documents you need for every shipment

Commercial invoice: issued by the supplier, showing buyer, seller, product description, quantity, unit price, total value, and country of origin.
Packing list: itemizes each carton or package, its dimensions, weight, and contents.
Bill of lading (B/L): issued by the carrier, serves as the title document for the goods. Required to file the customs entry and to pick up the cargo.
Arrival notice: sent by the carrier or freight forwarder when the vessel is near arrival, confirming estimated arrival date and container number.
ISF confirmation (ocean only): confirmation from your broker that the ISF was filed on time.

Common first-shipment mistakes

Not calculating duties before ordering: discovering a 25% Section 301 tariff after placing the order changes the business case entirely.
Using an incorrect HTS code: wrong classification means wrong duty rate and potential penalties on discovery.
Undervaluing goods on the commercial invoice: CBP routinely audits declared values. Undervaluation triggers duties on the assessed value plus potential fraud penalties.
Missing the ISF deadline: the $5,000 penalty per violation is real. File through your broker before production is even complete.
Not having a customs bond: if you do not have a bond, your cargo cannot clear. This is a common last-minute scramble for first-time importers.
Waiting until the vessel arrives to engage a broker: entries can be pre-filed, and delays in filing cause demurrage and storage costs that accrue immediately.

FAQ

Do I need a customs broker for my first shipment from China?

For commercial shipments, yes. A licensed customs broker files your entry with CBP, calculates your duties, and handles clearance. Self-filing is legally permitted but involves navigating CBP's ACE system, understanding tariff classification, and taking on liability for errors. For a first shipment, the $150 to $350 broker fee is straightforward insurance against costly mistakes.

What is the ISF and what happens if I miss the deadline?

The Importer Security Filing (ISF, also called 10+2) must be filed with CBP at least 24 hours before your container is loaded at the Chinese port. It includes 10 data elements about the shipment. Missing the deadline is a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation and can result in CBP issuing a Do Not Stuff order preventing your cargo from being loaded. Your customs broker or freight forwarder files it, but you are responsible for providing the required information on time.

What Incoterms should I use for my first China shipment?

FOB (Free on Board) at the Chinese origin port is the most common choice for small importers. Under FOB, the supplier delivers the goods to the port and loads them on the vessel; you are responsible for ocean freight, insurance, and all costs from that point. It gives you control over the freight booking and full visibility into your costs. Avoid DDP for your first shipment -- while convenient, it hides the freight and duty costs inside the supplier's price.

How early should I engage a freight forwarder and customs broker?

Before you place the order, ideally. You need the freight forwarder's input on routing, transit time, and ocean freight cost to calculate total landed cost before committing. You need the customs broker's input on your HTS code, duty rate, and any compliance requirements (FCC, CPSC, FDA) before deciding whether the import is viable. Engaging both after production is complete leaves you with no leverage and no time to fix problems.

How do I know what my import duty rate is?

Look up your 10-digit HTS code at hts.usitc.gov and find the 'General' rate (the MFN duty rate for most countries). For goods made in China, also check whether Section 301 tariffs apply by searching your HTS code on the USTR's Section 301 list. Your total duty rate is the sum of the MFN rate and any applicable Section 301 rate. If you are unsure of your HTS code, ask your customs broker to classify your product before you order.

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