To import into the USA you need to be set up as the importer of record, hold a customs bond, file an Importer Security Filing (ISF) for ocean shipments, and present the core entry documents: a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Some goods, such as food-contact and plant-based products, carry extra rules from agencies like the FDA and USDA. Getting these right is what keeps your container moving instead of sitting at the port racking up fees.

Compliance sounds intimidating, but it is a short, learnable checklist. As an exporter I prepare the India-side documents for buyers every week, and the US-side setup is a one-time effort you reuse on every future shipment. Here is what actually matters.

Importer of record

The importer of record (IOR) is the party legally responsible for making sure an import complies with US law, and for paying any duties and fees. For most buyers this is your own company, identified by a US tax ID (EIN). If you do not have a US entity, a customs broker or an IOR service can act on your behalf. The IOR is who Customs holds accountable, so it is worth understanding the role even if a broker files for you.

The customs bond

US Customs requires a customs bond to clear commercial goods. You can buy a single-entry bond for one shipment, or a continuous bond that covers all your imports for a year. If you plan to import more than a couple of times, a continuous (annual) bond is usually cheaper and simpler. Your broker arranges this; set it up before your first container sails so it is ready at the port.

ISF filing (the 10+2)

For any ocean shipment, the importer must file an Importer Security Filing, known as the 10+2, with US Customs. The key rule to remember: the ISF must be filed at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the origin port in India, not after it sails. Miss it, file it late, or file it wrong and you can face liquidated damages of up to 5,000 US dollars per violation, plus holds and exams that delay your goods. In practice your broker files the ISF using the shipment details your supplier provides, so the two sides need to coordinate early. This is the single most common filing that trips up first-time importers.

Core documents you will need

Every ocean import needs a consistent set of documents. The exporter in India prepares most of them; you and your broker use them to clear the goods:

  • Commercial invoice with the correct value, currency, and terms.
  • Packing list detailing cartons, quantities, and weights.
  • Bill of lading from the shipping line.
  • Certificate of origin, when the product or a duty program requires it.
  • Supplier export documents, including the exporter’s Import Export Code (IEC), and where relevant a fumigation or phytosanitary certificate for plant-based goods.

One detail saves a lot of grief: the values, weights, and quantities on the commercial invoice and the packing list must match exactly. A mismatch is a common trigger for customs holds.

Food-contact and plant-based goods

Product type decides whether extra agencies get involved:

  • Food-contact articles such as tableware fall under FDA food-contact rules. The FDA regulates the materials that touch food, so check that your product and its documentation meet those requirements for your market.
  • Plant-based goods such as palm-leaf or bagasse tableware can involve USDA and its APHIS plant-health rules, which is why exporters provide a phytosanitary or fumigation certificate per shipment.
  • Actual food (not just tableware) carries its own FDA prior-notice and facility rules; that is a different category.

The honest guidance here is to confirm the exact requirement for your product with your customs broker rather than assume, because it depends on the item and how it is classified. On our side, you can see what documentation we provide on our certifications page, and we share product and test documentation on request so your compliance team has what it needs.

Common, costly mistakes

  • Missing or late ISF. Up to 5,000 dollars per violation, plus delays. File 24 hours before loading, every time.
  • Invoice and packing list that do not match. The fastest way to get a container pulled for inspection.
  • Demurrage and detention. Once free time at the port runs out, storage charges climb quickly, on the order of several hundred dollars a day. Clear paperwork and a ready broker are how you avoid it.
  • No bond in place. Goods cannot clear without it; arrange it before you ship.

None of these are hard to avoid. They come from starting the paperwork late, so begin the customs setup while the goods are still in production, not when the ship is arriving.

Frequently asked questions

What is an importer of record?

The party legally responsible for ensuring an import complies with US law and for paying duties and fees. It is usually your own company (identified by an EIN), or a customs broker or IOR service acting on your behalf if you have no US entity.

When is the ISF due?

For ocean shipments, the Importer Security Filing (10+2) must be filed at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the origin port. Late or missing filings can incur up to 5,000 dollars per violation.

What documents do I need to import from India?

At minimum a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, plus a certificate of origin where required and the supplier’s export documents (including the IEC, and a phytosanitary or fumigation certificate for plant-based goods). Make sure the invoice and packing list match exactly.

Do compostable tableware imports need FDA or USDA clearance?

Possibly. Food-contact articles fall under FDA food-contact rules, and plant-based products can involve USDA and APHIS plant-health requirements. Confirm the exact requirement for your specific product with your customs broker.

Written by Gulshan Iyer, Arbhu Enterprises, a manufacturer and exporter of compostable tableware in India. We prepare the India-side export documents for every shipment: see our certifications, landed cost guide, or request a quote. See all our import guides.