Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
TTB offers importers and exporters information on permits for alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
APHIS ensures the health and care of animals and plants in the U.S. They also monitor agricultural products and animals entering the U.S.
Binding Rulings – CROSS
Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) is a searchable database of Customs rulings
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives
The ATF has information concerning the movement of these goods into and throughout the U.S.
Bureau of Industry & Security
BIS oversees the development, licensing and enforcement of export control laws. The BIS website includes access to the Export Administration Regulations, links to all Excluded Parties Lists that exporters must check, information on Export Control Basics, guidance on Re-exports, FAQs on Export Licensing under the Commerce Department, along with helpful information and links for many other initiatives under BIS.
Bureau of Transportation Statistics – BTS
All types of transportation statistics and information are offered here. The BTS is an excellent jumping off point for packaging, HAZMAT and shipping information.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
The mission of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is to ensure that all goods entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with all United States laws and regulations and to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the U.S.
Federal Maritime Commission
The independent agency responsible for the regulation of shipping in the foreign trade of the U.S.
Federal Trade Commission
Information on clothes labeling, truthful advertising, price fixing and many more items to maintain a competitive marketplace for both consumers and businesses.
Food and Drug Administration
The FDA regulates the importations of food, drugs, cosmetics, radiation emitting devices, medical devices, and tobacco. FDA Import Alerts advise the public of products that will be detained when presented for entry into the U.S. The FDA Product Code Builder is also helpful.
Import Administration
The primary role of Import Administration is to enforce effectively the U.S. unfair trade laws (i.e., the anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws) and to develop and implement other policies and programs aimed at countering foreign unfair trade practices Incoterms 2010 The Incoterms are the International Chamber of Commerce’s official rules for the interpretation of trade terms. They are available for purchase at http://www.iccbooks.com/
Informed Compliance Publications
Informed Compliance Publications are intended to provide guidance and information to the trade community. They reflect the position on or interpretation of the applicable laws or regulations by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on multiple subjects such as textiles, general and special classification, valuation, international agreements, penalties, entry, and duties.
International Trade Administration
The ITA is dedicated to helping U.S. businesses compete in the global marketplace. The site has a number of assistance related workspaces and information resources, and includes the NAFTA Home Page and the very helpful Export Assistance Centers.
International Trade Commission
The ITC is an independent federal agency determining import injury to U.S. industries in antidumping, countervailing duty; directing actions against unfair trade practices involving patent, trademark, and copyright infringement; supporting policymakers through economic analysis and research on the global competitiveness of U.S. industries; and maintaining the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC)
This office controls the export and temporary import of defense articles and services by taking final action on license applications and other requests for approval for defense trade exports and retransfers, and handling matters related to defense trade compliance, enforcement and reporting. This is where to go for the ITAR Regulations, Registration information for Exporters and Manufacturers of defense articles, export license information on firearms, and general questions for the DDTC Response Team.
Office of Foreign Assets Control
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals.
Office of Textiles and Apparel
OTEXA develops and recommends policy positions affecting trade in textiles and apparel and participates in multilateral and bilateral trade agreement negotiations and consultations.
Transportation Security Administration
The TSA site has information and press releases related to airfreight and HAZMAT regulation.
United States Coast Guard – USCG
The USCG patrols the U.S. waterways. Their website also has considerable documentation on vessel containers, hazardous materials and other maritime information.
U.S. Census Bureau – International Trade
International trade related statistics, Export Declaration form, AES information and Schedule B, C, D, & K information. Items of special interest include On-line Version of the Schedule B Export Codes and Country by Commodity Trade Data.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Consumer information on recalls and product safety as well as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Controls the export of endangered fish and wildlife species.
U.S. Trade Representative
The Cabinet Office responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. trade, commodity, and direct investment policy. The site includes detailed information on Free Trade Agreements.
World Customs Organization
The WCO is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. With 169 Member Governments, it is the only intergovernmental worldwide organization competent in Customs matters.
World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
