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Platton Insights
19 published guides
Alibaba shipping to the USA explained: who books the freight, what EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP leave to you, cost and transit by method, and the duty you owe.
Canton Fair 2026 for US buyers: phase dates, the free buyer badge, visa or 240-hour transit, and how orders from several suppliers ship home.
What a factory audit checks at a supplier in China, Vietnam or India: quality, social and CTPAT audits, the checklist, the report, findings and cost.
US import restrictions explained: which goods are prohibited, which need a permit, registration or prior notice from FDA, USDA, TTB, ATF or FWS, and when.
Import tax from China to the USA as of November 9, 2026: duty rates on Chinese goods, MPF and HMF fees, a worked example and how to check a rate.
Import tax from Vietnam to the USA as of November 9, 2026: the 12.5% Section 301 duty, AD/CVD orders, MPF and HMF, a worked example and how to check a rate.
What an importer of record is, who can act as IOR under 19 U.S.C. 1484, EIN vs CBP-assigned number, CBP's 2026 Form 5106 notice, duties and penalties.
Importing samples into the US after de minimis: the duty and CBP fees a sample owes, the four duty-free routes from HTS 9811 to ATA carnet, and invoice rules.
Pre-shipment inspection for China orders: what the inspector checks, how AQL sampling decides pass or fail, man-day costs and when to book before loading.
US tariffs by country on November 9, 2026: the Section 301 rate for all 60 listed economies, extra duties on China, Brazil and Canada, and Section 232 rates.
FBA meaning for importers: how Fulfillment by Amazon works, the published fees, FBA vs FBM, and what changes about your freight before the FC door.
What the US imports from India, the duty and tariff layers in 2026, the origin paperwork Indian shipments need, and how the sourcing call plays out.
Why containers get stuck at US ports: the five causes, what each day at the terminal costs, and the steps that get a box released and delivered.
DDP shipping explained for US importers: what Delivered Duty Paid includes, DDP vs DAP and FOB, what the price hides, and the two customs risks to check.
How to start importing into the US: the decisions before your first order, a budget table, supplier terms, timelines, and the mistakes to avoid.
Continue exploring
Freight Forwarding, Explained for US Importers
US Import Customs and Compliance, Decoded
Ocean Freight Knowledge Hub
Air Freight Knowledge Hub
Trucking & Drayage Knowledge Hub
Documentation & Incoterms Knowledge Hub
Industry Knowledge Hub
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