China Sourcing for US Buyers
China sourcing for US buyers means buying goods from Chinese factories and clearing them through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) — a process shaped by Section 301 tariffs (7.5–25% on top of MFN duty), US import fees (Merchandise Processing Fee 0.3464%, Harbor Maintenance Fee 0.125%), and US product compliance (CPSC, FCC, FDA). A US-aware China sourcing agent translates factory capability into US-compliant, customs-cleared shipments, handling HS-code classification, compliance verification, Amazon FBA prep, and DDP delivery to US warehouses or FBA centers.
US Import Cost Components
Landed cost for a US shipment stacks well beyond the EXW factory price. Below are the components for a typical China-to-US import:
| Component | Basis / Rate |
|---|---|
| EXW unit price | Factory price |
| China inland + export clearance | $80–$300 per shipment |
| Sea/air freight to US port | $0.50–$9.00/kg by mode |
| MFN duty | HS-code rate, 0–10% typical |
| Section 301 tariff | 7.5–25% on goods value (List 1–4) |
| MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee) | 0.3464% of customs value (min $31.67, max $614.35) |
| HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee) | 0.125% of customs value (sea only) |
| Customs broker / entry | $50–$200 per entry |
| Inland delivery to warehouse / FBA | $150–$1,200 by zone |
Section 301 tariffs apply to China-origin goods regardless of which port they enter through. For the latest 2026 List 1–4 rates, see our Section 301 tariffs guide.
US Compliance by Product Category
US product safety is regulated by multiple agencies, and non-compliance leads to seizure, destruction, or CPSC/CBP recalls. The key regimes:
| Product | US Regulator | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Toys & children's products | CPSC | CPSIA testing (lead, phthalates), tracking label, Children's Product Certificate |
| Electronics (RF) | FCC | FCC ID for intentional radiators; SDOC for unintentional radiators |
| Food contact / cosmetics | FDA | FDA facility registration, Prior Notice, GRAS / cosmetic ingredient review |
| Medical devices | FDA | 510(k) or Q-Submission, Establishment Registration |
| Apparel & textiles | CBP / FTC | Country-of-origin label, fiber content, care instructions |
| Battery / electronics safety | CPSC / UL | UL/ETL listing where required; UN38.3 for shipping |
For electronics, FCC testing must be done by an accredited lab; a factory self-declaration is not enough. See FCC certification from China for the full process.
Worked Example: US Amazon Seller, 2,000 Electronics Units
A US Amazon FBA seller imports 2,000 units of a consumer electronic gadget. EXW China price is $4.00/unit, DDP freight to the US is $1.50/unit, and the HS code carries a Section 301 tariff of 25%.
| Cost line | Per unit (USD) | Total (2,000 units) |
|---|---|---|
| EXW goods | $4.00 | $8,000 |
| DDP freight China → US | $1.50 | $3,000 |
| MFN duty (assume 0%) | $0.00 | $0 |
| Section 301 tariff (25% on goods) | $1.00 | $2,000 |
| MPF (0.3464% on goods+freight+duty) | $0.02 | $38 |
| HMF (0.125% on goods+freight+duty) | $0.01 | $14 |
| Customs broker + FBA prep | $0.27 | $540 |
| Total landed cost | $6.80 | $13,592 |
A product that costs $4.00 at the factory lands at $6.80/unit in the US — a 70% uplift driven almost entirely by the 25% Section 301 tariff and DDP freight. Model this before setting your Amazon price; under-pricing against Section 301 is the most common US launch mistake.
De Minimis, Importer of Record, and Customs Clearance
- De minimis ($800) eliminated for China in 2025 — every China-origin shipment now enters formal customs with duty, MPF, and HMF. Low-value express shipments that previously cleared duty-free are now fully dutiable.
- US importer of record (IOR) — the entity legally responsible for the import declaration, duty payment, and compliance. This can be you (the US buyer) or your agent's US entity. Being IOR means liability for misclassification; choose an agent with a US IOR option for first imports.
- DDP vs DAP — DDP means the shipper (agent) pays duty, MPF, HMF, and clearance to your door; simplest for first imports and Amazon FBA. DAP means you clear and pay yourself, enabling better cost control but requiring a US broker and IOR setup.
- USMCA note — USMCA rules of origin do not apply to China-origin goods; they enter the US under MFN plus Section 301 rates regardless of any USMCA routing.
Amazon FBA Routing from China
US Amazon FBA sellers can ship DDP directly from the Chinese factory to an Amazon fulfillment center (LAX9, ONT8, JFK8, etc.). The agent handles:
- FBA prep: FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bubble wrap, and case packing to Amazon's requirements.
- DDP freight plus US customs clearance with Section 301 duty paid.
- Last-mile delivery to the FBA center via Amazon-partnered or commercial carrier.
- FBA shipment creation and box-content labeling in Seller Central.
For the full FBA sourcing workflow, see Amazon FBA sourcing from China.
Why a US-Aware China Sourcing Agent Matters
US imports from China carry the densest tariff and compliance stack of any major market. A US-aware agent:
- Classifies each SKU's HS code correctly to apply the right Section 301 rate (7.5–25%) and MFN duty.
- Verifies CPSC/FCC/FDA test reports from the factory before production.
- Acts as US importer of record (or arranges one) and files the ACE customs entry.
- Ships DDP to US warehouses or Amazon FBA centers with FBA prep included.
- Operates on US East/West time-zone overlap for real-time issue resolution.
For comparison, see how US sourcing differs from EU sourcing and the broader DDP shipping from China workflow.
How Yeatru Serves US Buyers
Yeatru Sourcing ships DDP to US warehouses and Amazon FBA centers weekly. Our US-specific service includes:
- HS-code classification and Section 301 tariff modeling before the balance payment.
- CPSC / FCC / FDA compliance verification with accredited test reports.
- US importer-of-record option and ACE customs entry filing.
- Amazon FBA prep (FNSKU label, polybag, case pack) and direct DDP to FBA.
- AQL 2.5 pre-shipment QC and multi-SKU consolidation in Yiwu/Shenzhen.
- USD invoicing and US time-zone (EST/PST) support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a US sourcing agent from China handle?
A US-aware China sourcing agent handles supplier discovery, HS-code classification, Section 301 tariff modeling, CPSC/FCC/FDA compliance verification, US importer-of-record arrangement, DDP shipping to US warehouses or Amazon FBA centers, and AQL 2.5 pre-shipment QC. They turn a factory EXW price into a fully cleared, compliance-checked landed cost per unit.
2. How do Section 301 tariffs affect my China imports?
Section 301 tariffs add 7.5–25% on top of MFN duty for China-origin goods, depending on the HS code's List (1–4). They apply regardless of entry port and cannot be avoided by routing through a third country (transshipment is illegal). See Section 301 tariffs 2026 for current list rates.
3. What happened to the $800 de minimis threshold in 2025?
The $800 de minimis exemption for China-origin goods was eliminated in 2025. Previously, shipments under $800 entered duty-free with minimal paperwork; now every China-origin shipment is subject to duty, MPF, and HMF through formal customs entry.
4. How does US customs clearance work for China imports?
US customs clearance is filed through the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) system. The entry declares HS code, customs value, origin, and applicable duty (MFN plus Section 301), plus MPF (0.3464%) and HMF (0.125% for sea). A licensed US customs broker files the entry; duty and fees must be paid before CBP releases the cargo.
5. Can I ship DDP directly to Amazon FBA from China?
Yes. A US-aware agent handles FBA prep (FNSKU label, polybag, case pack), pays Section 301 duty plus MPF and HMF under DDP, and delivers directly to the Amazon fulfillment center. This skips a US middleman warehouse and cuts 3–5 days versus self-routing. See Amazon FBA sourcing.
6. Who is the US importer of record?
The US importer of record (IOR) is the legal entity responsible for the customs declaration, duty payment, and compliance — typically the US buyer or the agent's US entity. Being IOR carries liability for misclassification; first-time buyers often use their agent's US IOR option until they set up their own broker and continuous bond.
Conclusion
Sourcing from China into the US is defined by Section 301 tariffs (7.5–25%), MPF/HMF fees, dense CPSC/FCC/FDA compliance, and the 2025 elimination of the $800 de minimis. A 2,000-unit electronics order at $4.00 EXW lands at $6.80/unit once DDP freight, 25% Section 301 duty, MPF, and HMF are added. A US-aware sourcing agent handles HS-code classification, compliance verification, US importer of record, DDP to FBA, and US time-zone support so the shipment clears the first time. Get a free US landed-cost quote from Yeatru — we will model your per-unit cost including Section 301 within 24 hours.
