A few months ago, I started thinking carefully about why our business wasn't making more money. It just seemed like no matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't turn a profit. Fortunately, a friend of mine suggested evaluating our shipping procedures. It didn't seem like the logical decision at the time, but since he was a successful business owner, I decided to listen to his advice. After carefully evaluating things, I realized that we really did have a few lags in our system. We went through and carefully reconfigured a few things, and it was amazing to see how much of a difference our changes made. Within a few weeks, we were able to speed things up and reduce lost packages. Read this blog to learn more.
If you will be shipping products overseas, you will often need an export license. However, you might wonder if there are some circumstances where you can export products even without an export license. There are some exceptions to the export license rule. Here are some tips for understanding the rules and knowing whether you need an export license.
Obtaining an Export License
The US Customs and Border Protection is responsible for controlling any goods that go in or out of the United States to remain in compliance with all regulations. Several other agencies regulate licensing requirements. The good news is that the majority of items that are exported to a foreigner do not require an export license.
Find out which agency is responsible for regulating a particular type of good. Then, contact them about any license requirements and the process by which you would obtain the export license.
Finding Out If Your Product Is Regulated
There are certain products that you may be able to export without an export license, such as computers, gift parcels, and humanitarian donations. There is a broad list of categories and you'll need to find out whether your shipment falls under one of these categories. There are many items that may not be listed under the Commerce Control List but may ultimately qualify.
Certain exports are controlled and the regulations will explain why the item is controlled. For example, some exports are controlled to prevent crime in the country where the item is exported to. Items that are not controlled will not have an X next to them. They will be listed as No License Required (NLR). Also, if you are not sure if an item requires an export license, you can contact a shipping service to learn more about shipping to the part of the world you're doing business with.
Finding License Exceptions
At some point, you will find a list of license exceptions. Each exception has a unique set of criteria that you will need to meet. If you meet the requirements, you may use the exception and will not have to apply for a license. It also doesn't help to contact a shipping service to see if they believe you qualify for an exception. Having a shipping service handle the aspects of customs and licensing can help you avoid any headaches such as having your export trapped in customs or being fined.
Share21 April 2020
