Wall 01Customs
A bond on the importer's EIN
A customs bond is issued to the importer of record against its EIN.
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Built for · Trade
A US LLC for importing into and exporting from the United States
Goods entering the United States need an importer of record with a tax number, a customs bond and a US address for notices. A foreign company can do it, and a US LLC does it without the workarounds.
- Usually
- Structure
- Wyoming LLC
- Plan
- Premium
- On the day
- $1,299
- Every year
- $1,059
01Why a US company
What it does for importers and exporters.
Customs brokers, freight forwarders and bonded warehouses are set up to work with a US company: an EIN for the customs bond, a company to hold the bond and the power of attorney, and a US address for customs notices. A US LLC is also what US distributors and retailers expect to buy from.
02What stands in the way
Three things in the way, and one way through.
Wall 02The FDA
Registration and a US agent
Food, supplements and cosmetics bring FDA registration and prior-notice rules, and a foreign facility needs a US agent.
Wall 03Retail buyers
Accounts for US vendors
Retail buyers and distributors often only open accounts for US vendors.
The door
A US LLC, with its EIN and a US bank account.
One company, one EIN and one bank account, which is what everything above asks for.
03The honest part
What to know before you order.
01
A trading company can be a US trade or business
Importing goods and selling them inside the United States is much closer to a US trade or business than software sold from abroad. Where the goods are sold, who negotiates and signs, and where the stock is held all matter. Assume the company may owe US income tax, and get an accountant's view before the first container.
02
Sales tax and resale certificates
Selling to US retailers for resale is exempt from sales tax when the buyer gives you a resale certificate. Selling direct to consumers brings sales tax once you pass a state's threshold. Premium registers you in one state.
The plan that fits
Premium, usually.
A trading company is the kind most likely to owe US tax and need sales tax registration, and a waiting shipment needs a same-day answer. Premium registers you for sales tax in one state, prepares the company's federal forms with a CPA's review, and gives you a named specialist.
PremiumFits importers and exporters
For founders who want the whole first year of paperwork done for them.
To start
$1,299 once
Wyoming fee included · then $1,059 a year
04Questions
Questions from importers and exporters.
If yours is not here, email us at [email protected] before you order.
Yes. It gets a customs bond against its EIN, appoints a customs broker by power of attorney, and gives US Customs a US address for notices.
Often, yes, because selling goods inside the United States is much closer to a US trade or business than services from abroad. Get an accountant's view of your own setup before you start.
Read next
Related.
Ready when you are
Answer the questions. We do the filing.
It takes about four minutes. You see the whole order, state fee included, before anything is charged.
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