Americas
Trade terms in United States: what works and what catches people out
A foreign company can be US importer of record if it has a resident agent for service of process and a customs bond with a US surety. Customs value excludes international freight and insurance. On exports, EXW buyers usually end up in a 'routed export' with US filing duties.
Record last reviewed · Check a route to United States →
DDP when importing into United States Usable with conditions ✓ Verified
Can a foreign seller clear the goods and pay import taxes in this country?
Usable with conditions. A corporation not incorporated in the US may make a consumption entry only if it has a resident agent authorised to accept service of process in the state of the port of entry (or of the remote-filing location) and files a CBP Form 301 bond with a resident corporate surety. ICC adds that some goods, agencies or states require local certificates or authorisations.
Sources: eCFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations) · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIF when importing into United States Unverified Unverified
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
No CIF barrier is listed for United States in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIP when importing into United States Unverified Unverified
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
No CIP barrier is listed for United States in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
EXW when exporting from United States Practically hard ✓ Verified
Can a foreign buyer handle export clearance out of this country?
Exports from the US: when the foreign buyer controls the export it is a 'routed export transaction' — the buyer must authorise a US agent (power of attorney or written authorisation) to file the Electronic Export Information, and the US seller must still supply data and keep records. The regulation states that sales terms do not decide who the parties are. ICC also flags that export licence applicants must be in the US.
Sources: eCFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations) · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FCA when exporting from United States Usable with conditions Needs review
Are there export-filing traps when the buyer arranges carriage from this country?
Exports from the US: the same routed-export filing rules apply whenever the foreign buyer arranges outbound carriage; ICC notes the buyer may appoint any US party, including the seller, to file.
Sources: eCFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations) · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FOB when exporting from United States Usable with conditions Needs review
Are there local quirks with FOB when shipping from this country?
Watch the wording: US domestic law and contracts also use 'FOB' with a different meaning from the Incoterms® FOB rule (ICC). Always write the rule with its edition, e.g. 'FOB [port] Incoterms® 2020'.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
Key facts
- Customs valuation ✓ Verified
Customs value is FOB-style: the 'price actually paid or payable' excludes transportation, insurance and related costs of the international shipment to the US.
Sources: Legal Information Institute (Cornell) – U.S. Code · last checked
Sources used on this page
- 19 CFR 141.18 – Entry by nonresident corporation — eCFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)
- National regulatory barriers to the Incoterms® 2020 rules (updated January 2025) — International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Snapshot as of December 2024, compiled from ICC national committees. Used as a lead list: facts that rely only on this document are flagged for review until confirmed against national law. - 15 CFR 30.3 – EEI filer requirements and parties to export transactions — eCFR (U.S. Code of Federal Regulations)
- 19 U.S.C. 1401a – Value (transaction value) — Legal Information Institute (Cornell) – U.S. Code
'Needs review' means the fact relies on a secondary source (often ICC's January 2025 barrier list) or an inference we have not yet confirmed against the national law. Spotted an error or a change? Tell us.