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✈️How to start exporting to the US? 5 key steps for companies entering the market.

Exporting to the US is a huge opportunity for growth, but it also poses logistical and formal challenges. Different regulations, lengthy customs procedures, tax requirements — all of this can seem overwhelming, especially at first.

Arkadiusz Włodarski, Air&Sea Freight Director, who manages export processes to the US on a daily basis, emphasizes that the key to successfully entering this market is not only solid knowledge, but also a well-developed action plan.

If you want to export overseas but don’t know where to start, below are five things you need to have in place before your goods set off on their journey.

Where to start?

✔ Choosing a market and customers – The US is a huge market, and each state may have different regulations, certifications, and restrictions – what works in California may not necessarily work in Texas. That is why it is crucial to determine exactly where you want to sell and who your customers will be. Exporting to retail chains requires different planning than exporting to distributors or direct customers.

✔ Customs formalities and documents – You cannot ship goods to the US without an ISF declaration, HTS code, or appropriate customs declarations. An error in the documentation means delays and additional costs.

✔ Transport and logistics – Sea freight is just the beginning. After arriving at the port in the US, the container must still be reloaded and transported further – by truck, sometimes intermodally.

It is worth planning:

– free time at the port,

– availability of local transport,

– the possibility of demurrage/detention charges,

– coordination with customs clearance and customs agency.

Lack of planned logistics = delays and unforeseen costs.

✔ Taxes and regulations – The US does not have a single tax rate. Both federal customs tariffs and state taxes apply. Some products may benefit from trade agreements and preferential rates, while others – such as steel, alcohol, and electronics – are subject to increased tariffs or additional requirements.

It is worth checking how your goods are classified and what this means financially, as it can have a direct impact on the profitability of your exports.

✔ Goods insurance – Container damage, lost cargo, or downtime can generate huge losses. Good insurance protects you against losses that may result from downtime, damage, or operator errors.

It is worth taking care not only of the value of the goods, but also the costs of transport, storage, and possible delays – a well-structured policy can save your margin.

Exporting to the US involves many variables, but you don’t have to go through them alone.

We have guided many companies from the industrial, food, and technical sectors through this process, step by step. Instead of wasting time searching for information, you can focus on sales—write to us, and we will take care of the rest.