1. Your category in United States
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for United States: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (115 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
The first gate an exporter has to clear. In the US this gate is not a customs wall — customs will clear uncertified goods — but a commercial one: retailers, distributors, utilities and insurers require a recognised safety listing before they will stock or connect the product. Budget for it as a cost of market entry, not as paperwork.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRTL safety listing (UL 1741 / UL 9540) | Expected in practice | Grid-tied inverters are listed to UL 1741 (with the SA/SB smart-inverter addenda); energy-storage systems to UL 9540 with the battery module under UL 1973. Listing is issued by a Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory (UL, TUV, Intertek, CSA) | 8–16 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| FCC Part 15 (EMC / radio) | Mandatory for electronics | Unintentional radiators under Part 15 Subpart B (verification / SDoC); wireless functions additionally need an FCC ID under the certification procedure | 4–8 weeks | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (MFN) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff is around 2.7% (2022, weighted mean). Rates vary widely by HS line; confirm at HS-code level | — | On customs value | Pending |
| Additional duties (Section 301) | Origin-dependent | Goods of Chinese origin are subject to Section 301 additional duties on top of MFN — commonly 25%, and higher for some categories such as lithium batteries. This is the line that most changes the landed cost for a Chinese exporter, and it changes by policy cycle | — | 25%+ (origin-dependent) | Pending |
| Sales tax / use tax | State-level | There is no federal VAT. Sales tax is levied by state and locality, averaging around 7% combined and ranging from 0% (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware) to above 10%. Import-stage federal duty and state sales tax are separate charges | — | 0–10%+ by state | 2026-10 |
| Country of origin marking | Mandatory | Goods must be marked with their country of origin in a conspicuous place, legibly and permanently, for the ultimate purchaser (19 CFR Part 134) | — | — | Pending |
| Customs bond & importer of record | Mandatory | A US importer of record and a customs bond are required; a foreign exporter cannot be the importer of record for a commercial entry. Most first-time sellers therefore ship DDP through a US partner or a licensed customs broker | 1–2 weeks | Pending | Pending |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
Every company below is a real business in United States taken from our own buyer research, and we have verified that its website is reachable. Names and business types are public; decision-makers, direct emails and phone numbers are reserved for members of the Buyer Directory.
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. US procurement is specification- and reference-led — a listing certificate, a UL file number and a named reference installation convert far better than a price sheet.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in the United States — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: the US is the single largest destination for static converters, with imports running in the tens of billions of dollars a year across the category.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China, Mexico, Vietnam, Germany and Japan lead the source list, with Mexico and Vietnam gaining share as tariff engineering shifts assembly.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: US buyers are less price-driven than most markets — the decisive variables are listing status, warranty terms and lead time.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for the United States. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios — for China-origin goods, add the Section 301 layer to the duty field.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need UL listing to import into the United States?
Customs does not require it, but the market does. Retailers, distributors, utilities and insurers expect a Nationally Recognised Testing Laboratory listing — typically UL 1741 for grid-tied inverters and UL 9540 (with UL 1973 for the battery module) for storage systems. Without it you can import, but you will struggle to sell.
What is the import duty on my product?
The average applied MFN rate is around 2.7%, but the rate depends on the HS line. Goods of Chinese origin are additionally subject to Section 301 duties — commonly 25% and higher for some categories such as lithium batteries. Confirm both the MFN and the Section 301 position for your HS code before you quote.
Is there VAT on imports?
No. The United States has no federal VAT. Sales tax is charged by state and locality at the point of sale, averaging around 7% combined and ranging from 0% to above 10% depending on the state.
Who can be the importer of record?
A US importer of record and a customs bond are required, and a foreign exporter cannot act as the importer of record for a commercial entry. First-time sellers usually ship DDP through a US partner or appoint a licensed customs broker.
What payment terms are normal?
Open account is standard for established buyers, with T/T for first orders. L/C is used but less common than in Africa or South Asia. Invoice in USD.
Which port should I ship to?
Los Angeles / Long Beach is the largest gateway and the usual choice for western destinations, with New York / New Jersey for the east coast, Savannah for the southeast and Houston for the gulf. Tell us the final destination and we will quote to the right port.