What are the implications of exporting sweets to the United States?
Question
Hi,
We are a custom branded promotional merchandise distributor based in the UK, and we have had an enquiry from an international hotel chain in the United States for some custom branded sweets.
Because we are based in the UK and our sweets are manufactured in mainland Europe I would like to know if it is worth pursuing the enquiry, taking into consideration customs and food standards.
I don’t know how large the order will be at this stage.
Many thanks,
Steve Millard
Grove Promotions Ltd
Answer
Hi Steve
Firstly I would say it is definitely worth perusing the order, even if it is a relatively small order!
In my experience large hotel chains will order goods for each hotel, so this could be an opportunity to really develop your international business and enter the US market.
If I were in your position I would connect with UK Trade & Investment in the first instance. UKTI will have an International Trade Adviser on staff that specifically deals with this region and will know the intricacies of the market.
If you would prefer to just get a general feel / foundation knowledge of the US market the “U.S. Customs and Border Protection Organization” (or CBP as they are more commonly known) have published an extensive guide on how to import into the US:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/iius.ctt/iius.pdf
There is no general licensing of imports into the US and almost all UK goods may enter freely. This is also the case for some EU countries but without knowing exactly which European country you manufacture in it is difficult to be more precise with this.
The requirements/considerations I know of for food / sugar based goods are:
– Special invoice declarations
– Special labelling requirements
– Certificate of Origin (required for items containing animal byproducts)
You can find out more on the above items by contacting:
United States Customs Attache
31 Grosvenor Square
London
W1A 1AE
T: 0207 499 9000
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Answer
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You may also find support / guidance from the following contacts:
Embassy of the United States of America (commercial section)
T: 0207 894 0419
E: [email protected]
www.buyusa.gov.uk/en
BIS Country Desk
Contact : Oliver Parsons
T: 0207 215 4608
Food / Foodstuffs exporters to the US are also advised to visit the following website, although in honesty I did not find it a useful resource:
http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
@ExportExpertUK
[email protected]
www.export-expert.co.uk
Answer
Information on the Customs requirements for exporting is given in HMRC Public Notice 275. All notices can be found on our website www.hmrc.gov.uk under Quick Links > Library > Official Statistics – Publications – Notices, Info Sheets & Other Reference Materials > Import, Export & International Trade. The Public Notices are in numerical order.
I would also suggest that you contact the American Customs Authorities to ascertain if there are any import restrictions on such items.
HM Revenue & Customs
Customs International Trade & Excise
www.hmrc.gov.uk/contactus