From Product Link to Customs Clearance: What Global Sellers Need to Check Before Shipping to the US

Recent changes to US import rules and tariff requirements have highlighted how many different compliance considerations can sit behind a single shipment.

In September 2026, for example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced changes affecting certain Section 301 China product exclusions and HTSUS reporting classifications. The changes demonstrate how tariff treatment can depend on the specific classification and characteristics of a product.

At the same time, CBP has placed increased emphasis on the accuracy of importer information. CBP Form 5106 is used to establish an Importer of Record in its Automated Commercial Environment, and the information collected supports processes including the release and entry of merchandise.

For global sellers, this raises a practical question:

What should businesses check before their products cross the US border?

1. Identify the product correctly

The first step is understanding exactly what is being imported.

Product descriptions, materials, intended use and other characteristics can all be relevant when determining how merchandise should be classified for customs purposes.

The classification matters because it can determine the applicable duty rate and whether additional trade measures apply.

CBP notes that importers have legal responsibility for declaring the value, classification and rate of duty applicable to their merchandise.

2. Check the applicable tariff and duties

Once the product has been classified, businesses need to determine which duties may apply.

This can include the standard tariff rate as well as additional duties or trade measures associated with the product's country of origin or classification.

Recent CBP guidance on Section 301 exclusions demonstrates how these requirements can change. In some circumstances, changes can also affect previously filed entries and create potential opportunities for corrections or refunds.

For businesses with large catalogues, keeping these calculations accurate across hundreds or thousands of SKUs can become a significant operational task.

3. Understand the Importer of Record requirements

Businesses importing into the US also need to establish who is responsible for the import.

The Importer of Record is responsible for ensuring that imported merchandise complies with applicable customs requirements.

CBP's Form 5106 is used to register an entity as an IOR in the ACE system.

This makes accurate importer information an important part of the import process, alongside product and tariff information.

4. Check permits and product requirements

Tariffs aren't the only consideration.

Depending on the product, businesses may need to identify applicable permits, certificates, licences or other regulatory requirements before importing or selling in the US.

These requirements can vary significantly between product categories, which means businesses cannot necessarily rely on the same compliance checklist for every SKU.

5. Consider intellectual property risks

Businesses expanding internationally also need to consider whether their products, branding, designs or other intellectual property could create potential risks in a new market.

A product can be correctly classified for customs purposes and still require additional IP or regulatory checks before it is launched.

For sellers expanding large product catalogues internationally, checking these issues individually can quickly become difficult to manage.

6. Keep monitoring after the initial check

Perhaps the biggest challenge is that compliance doesn't necessarily end once a product has been cleared for sale.

Tariff schedules, classifications, exclusions and regulatory requirements can change.

CBP's recent updates are a good example of why a product's compliance profile may need to be reviewed over time rather than treated as a one-time exercise.

For global sellers, the process therefore looks less like a single customs check and more like an ongoing compliance workflow:

Product → Classification → Tariffs → IOR → Regulations → Customs → Ongoing monitoring

How Gloco can help

Managing these requirements manually can be challenging, particularly for businesses selling large numbers of products across multiple markets.

Gloco is built to help global sellers manage these compliance considerations from one platform.

Businesses can provide a product link and use Gloco's AI-powered platform to identify potential IP, licensing and tariff considerations.

Gloco also supports customs duty calculation, documentation, certificates and permits, helping businesses identify the requirements associated with their products before they enter a new market.

And because regulations can change, Gloco provides ongoing monitoring and alerts to help businesses stay informed about compliance risks and deadlines.

For businesses looking to expand into the US, the customs process starts long before a shipment arrives at the border.

The more products and markets a business manages, the more important it becomes to have a clear, repeatable way to assess and monitor compliance.

Gloco helps global sellers bring those checks together, from product-level tariff and IP analysis to customs requirements and ongoing compliance monitoring.