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Wholesale for United States

Wholesale Promotional Gifts for the United States: Importing Small Lots from China

Buyers in the United States who order wholesale promotional gifts from China are usually small businesses, event agencies, schools, clubs and online shops buying a handful of items, tens to a few hundred pieces each. This page covers what is different about importing mugs, tote bags, badges, keychains, gift boxes, gift sets and stationery into the United States in small lots, and how a first order can be organized across several sellers.

Importing into the United States turns on the importer of record, the tariff classification of each item and the origin of the goods. Duty depends on the HTS classification, and goods of Chinese origin can carry additional tariffs that have changed several times, so the current rate for the exact code has to be checked. Rules and rates change and should be confirmed with a customs broker before ordering.

What to know before you import promotional gifts into United States

Duty follows HTS code and origin

Duty depends on the HTS classification of each item and its country of origin. Goods of Chinese origin can carry additional tariffs on top of the base rate, and those have changed several times. Customs value, the transaction value, generally excludes international freight and insurance. Ask your broker for the current rate for each exact code before you set a retail price.

Importer of record and customs broker

Importing commercially means being the importer of record, and a customs broker usually files the entry. If you are a small reseller, line up a broker before the goods leave China and ask which documents they want, such as a commercial invoice and packing list with clear product descriptions. The broker normally proposes the HTS classification.

Consumer product safety rules for gifts

Consumer product safety rules apply to many gifts and homeware items, and the buyer is responsible for compliance in the United States. For promotional gifts, check whether rules touch children's items, products that hold food or drink, and gift sets with cosmetics or toiletries. Confirm requirements per product with your broker or the national authority.

Landed cost and the US$2,500 line

Landed cost adds inland China freight, international freight, insurance, duty and clearance, port and delivery charges to the goods price. Those fixed charges weigh more per unit on small lots. Shipments above US$2,500 generally need a formal entry and a customs bond, while below it informal entry applies for most goods, so total your goods value first.

What to confirm before you order

Before placing the order, confirm the HTS code and current rate for each item, whether additional tariffs apply, whether the total crosses US$2,500, and which product rules apply. Do not assume any low-value duty exemption covers a commercial wholesale order. Rules and rates change, so ask your broker to confirm again close to shipment.

Customs rules, rates and product requirements change. Treat this page as orientation and confirm the current position for your exact product with a licensed customs broker or the national customs authority before you order.

Routes and timing for United States

Typical sea routes from South China reach Los Angeles and Long Beach on the West Coast, and New York, New Jersey and Savannah on the East Coast. Port-to-port sea time is roughly two to five weeks depending on the coast and service, and LCL consolidation and clearance add time. Air freight takes roughly four to eight days door to door. For a small mixed shipment of gifts, sea LCL suits non-urgent stock, while air suits a sample or a deadline.

A small wholesale plan for United States

  1. Order samples and check the HTS code

    Buy one sample per item through us, inspect it, and ask your broker to classify it before you commit. Use the sample to confirm material, size and any printed marks that product rules may touch.

  2. Build a mixed first lot from several sellers

    Combine three to five items such as mugs, totes and badges from different sellers into one purchase. Check the total goods value against the US$2,500 formal-entry line so you know which entry and bond to arrange.

  3. Consolidate, then ship by sea or air

    We receive, inspect and consolidate everything in China, then ship to the port or address you choose. Share your broker's details early so the paperwork matches, and allow for clearance time after arrival.

Listings buyers in United States ask about

Wholesale promotional gifts for United States: questions

Do I need an importer of record to bring promotional gifts into the United States?

Yes. A commercial importer needs to be the importer of record, and a customs broker usually files the entry for you. If you are reselling or giving the goods to customers as a business, plan to use a broker. Ask the broker which documents they need from us before the goods ship.

Is there a duty-free allowance for small wholesale gift orders to the US?

Do not assume one applies. Commercial wholesale orders should not count on any low-value duty exemption, and duty depends on the HTS classification and origin. Goods of Chinese origin can carry additional tariffs that have changed several times, so ask your broker for the current rate for your exact code before you price the goods.

What changes if my shipment is worth more than US$2,500?

Shipments valued above US$2,500 generally need a formal entry and a customs bond, while below that informal entry applies for most goods. A mixed order from several sellers can cross that value, so total the goods price first. Customs value generally excludes international freight and insurance. Ask your broker how the bond is arranged.

Which US port suits a small gift shipment from China?

The right port follows where your buyer or warehouse is. Typical sea routes from South China go to Los Angeles and Long Beach for the West Coast, and to New York, New Jersey and Savannah for the East Coast. Sea time is roughly two to five weeks port to port, with LCL consolidation and clearance on top.

Importing to another market?

Planning a first order for United States? Tell us the items, the quantities and the delivery address and we return an itemised delivered price, with the sample-first option laid out.

Plan a small order