Global Importers

The U.S. market remains the world’s leading economy and the largest importer of goods. U.S. importers (food importers, cosmetic importers, importers of housewares and food related products, medical device importers, and importers of drugs and biologics) remain the major categories of FDA-regulated product importers. In Fiscal Year 2022, total lines of products imported was about 51.24 million and imports continue to steadily increase. With our legal expertise and regulatory compliance services, U.S. importers have support in ensuring regulatory compliance, responding to enforcement issues, and finding new buyers and partners.

Importing into the United States requires compliance with various federal, state and local regulations. For imports of foods, dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care products, medical devices, Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs, animal and veterinary products, beverage alcohol, and more, this includes compliance with U.S. entry under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Proposition 65, and other agency and/or state regulation, as applicable.

Compliance with U.S. import requirements helps reduce import delays, including U.S. FDA, USDA, or CBP holds, examination or sampling. It also helps mitigate costs associated with testing, storage, shipment delays, frustration to ultimate purchasers caused by unpredictable trade flow, and reputational damage. By complying with U.S. import requirements, importers have a greater likelihood of fostering positive trade flow, a healthy relationship with regulatory agencies such as CBP and FDA, boosting consumer confidence and adding to their bottom line.