Most first-time importers lose their first shipment to something that should have been set up weeks before the goods ever shipped, not a last-minute paperwork problem at the port.
Get the bond type right before you need it
A single-entry bond only covers one shipment, which is fine for a one-off import but wasteful if you’re importing regularly. A continuous bond covers every entry for a year at a flat annual cost. If you already know this won’t be a one-time thing, go continuous from the start, re-bonding per shipment adds cost and delay you don’t need.
Check agency holds before the goods ship, not after
Products regulated by FDA, USDA, CPSC, or other agencies can be detained at entry even with duty paid and paperwork in order, if the required agency filing wasn’t made. Electronics, food, cosmetics, and children’s products are common categories that trip up first-time importers who only planned for customs, not the additional agency.
Why a broker is worth it on your first shipment
A licensed customs broker catches classification and documentation problems before they become holds. The fee is small relative to the cost of a shipment sitting at the port while you sort out a problem you didn’t know existed. Even experienced importers keep a broker relationship for anything beyond the simplest entries.
Once you’re set up, use the US import duty calculator and landed cost calculator to estimate costs before your supplier ships.