B. What is a Mexican Customs House Broker?

C. Is CASAS International a Mexican Customs House Broker?

D. Do I need both a US and Mexican Customs House Broker?

E. Other than US Customs, what other US government regulatory agencies get involved?

F. What are the required documents to make or file a customs entry?

G. Is my commodity subjecto to duty payments at the point of making or filing a customs entry?

H. What are customs duties?

I. Who determines customs duties?

J. How are duties determined?

K. What other government fees is my commodity subject to?

L. What do I do if I am ready to begin importing to the United States?

An individual or firm licensed by the U.S. Customs Service to act for importers in handling the sequence of custom formalities and other details critical to the legal and speedy exporting and importing of goods. For more information on our customs brokerage services, please see the company services section.

B. What is a Mexican Customs House Broker?

An individual or firm licensed by the ?Direccion General de Aduanas? to act for importers in handling the sequence of custom formalities and other details critical to the legal and speedy exporting and importing of goods.

C. Is CASAS International a Mexican Customs House Broker?

No, CASAS International is only a US Customs House Broker and Freight Forwarder. We have a strong 16-year affiliation with Agencia Aduanal Obregon. For more information on our Mexican broker affiliation, please see the strategic alliances section.

D. Do I need both a US and Mexican Customs House Broker?

Yes, both customs house brokers are recommended for all commercial shipments being imported and exported to and from either the US and Mexico. An individual may make his own customs clearance of goods imported for personal use or business.

E. Other than US Customs, what other US government regulatory agencies get involved?

FDA, USDA, EPA, ATB, etc., are some of the other agencies that may have certain importing or exporting restrictions, depending on the commodity. The U.S. Customs Service does not require an importer to have a license or permit. Other agencies may require a permit, license, or other certification, depending on the commodity. For more information on any one particular agency, please refer to our links section.

F. What are the required documents to make or file a customs entry?

1. A bill of lading, airway bill, or carrier's certificate (naming the consignee for customs purposes) as evidence of the consignee's right to make entry.
2. A commercial invoice, obtained from the seller, which shows the value and description of the merchandise.
3. Entry manifest (Customs Form 7533) or Entry/Immediate Delivery (Customs Form 3461).
4. Packing lists, if appropriate, and other documents necessary to determine whether the merchandise may be admitted.

G. Is my commodity subject to duty payments at the point of making or filing a customs entry?

All merchandise coming into the United States must clear customs and is subject to a customs duty unless specifically exempted from this duty by law. Clearance involves a number of steps--entry, inspection, appraisal, classification and liquidation.

H. What are customs duties?

Customs duties are, generally, an ad valorem rate (a percentage), which is applied to the dutiable value of the imported goods. Some articles, however, are dutiable at a specific rate of duty (so much per piece, liter, kilo, etc.); others at a compound rate of duty (combination of both ad valorem and specific rates).

I. Who determines customs duties?

The dutiable value of merchandise is determined by Customs. Several appraisal methods are used to arrive at this value. Generally, the transaction value of the merchandise serves as the basis of appraisement. Transaction value is the price the buyer actually pays the seller for the goods being imported.

J. How are duties determined?

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2000 Edition), issued by the International Trade Commission, prescribes the rates of duty and classification of merchandise by type of product; e.g., animal and vegetable products, textile fibers and textile products. The tariff schedule provides several rates of duty for each item: "general" rates for most-favored nations; "special" rates for special trade programs (free, or lower than the rates currently accorded most-favored nations); and "column 2" rates for imports not eligible for either general or special rates.

K. What other government fees is my commodity subject to?

Merchandise Processing fee (MPF), Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF), Excise tax and a bond?

L. What do I do if I am ready to begin importing to the United States?

If you are ready to begin importing and have additional questions please fill out the contact form, email or call us at services@casasinternational.com or 619-661-6162.