Requirements for Shipments Imported to Fulfillment Centres in USA
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has directed its attention to the growing volume of low value shipment imports as well as the challenges that e-commerce presents for the U.S. economy as online sales has grown from 22 percent to 79 percent since 2000.

CBP has issued internal guidance to local ports for increased enforcement measures. The primary violations noticed most frequently are:

1. Bulk shipments that are broken down (or “split”) in order to have the goods fall below the $800 de minimis (LV) and entered duty free to avoid compliance with U.S. federal agency clearance requirements
2. Articles that are clearly undervalued
3. Articles that constitute Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations; counterfeit goods
4. Articles that are misdeclared as one item; yet are a different item upon examination/inspection
Due to the above issues,the CBP have stated that with immediate effect, shipments destined to fulfillment centres which do not serve as the Importer of Record (IOR), and are transported via FedEx Express (FXE) will require the following documentation criteria for accurate and effective clearance:

· Clear and accurate description(s) of all article(s) being imported
· Correct value for all article(s) being imported. If the articles are being sold, the value indicated should be the price paid or payable.
· NEW – ALL shipments regardless of value require a fully completed and accurate commercial invoice – OR a pro forma invoice if the goods are not sold

NEW – Prior to shipping their goods to the U.S. fulfillment centre which does not serve as the IOR, the foreign shipper must arrange their own bond. FedEx Trade Networks (FTN) is available to assist with the procurement of a bond. FTN is the broker for FXE. This bond is required of the foreign shipper if either of the following shipping scenarios apply:

1. The total value of all the goods in the shipment is > $800USD
2. The goods in the shipment are subject to U.S. partner government agency (PGA) inspection and clearance

The bond is required to provide a surety against the potential loss of duty and taxes, or penalties that could be assessed for specific types of transactions, in addition to the other obligations. One of these additional obligations is to redeliver merchandise to Customs custody upon demand by CBP.
In addition

Shipments arriving in the USA without a Power of Attorney (POA) and bond arrangement will be IMMEDIATELY returned back to the foreign shipper at their expense. The usual “five (5) day waiting period” does NOT apply in this situation.

Shipments impacted by CBP enforcement activities will be subject to immediate return to shipper (RTS) pending CBP authorization to do so. The usual “five (5) day waiting period” does NOT apply in this situation.
================================================
New Customs Regulations – VIETNAM
Please be informed that a new government Decree has come into effective on June 05, 2018, which have lifted restrictions of Customs Clearance Checkpoint for the importation of Wine and other Alcoholic Beverages. This lifting of restrictions also applies to any shipment requiring temporary import and re-export or temporary export and re-import.

This means, origins can now offer Express and Economy services (Door to Door) to customers and do not require to arrange a special service (Door to Airport) as per previous broadcasts.
However, If the alcohol is sent as a gift the customs value should not exceed VND 2,000,000 (the threshold for tax exemption), and include the traders name and ingredient label.

Import licences are required for all shipments of wine/alcohol by enterprises, regardless of the value (i.e. no matter if it is HV or LV).

Those shipments requiring temporary import and re-export or temporary export and re-import shall be declared to Vietnam Express Customs Sub-Department under commercial clearance mode, which can be undertaken by customer(s) or customer’s broker(s).