Product Labeling for Importers in USA
Product Labeling is an aspect of importing that many first time importers overlook. I know this first hand due to the number of questions I receive about the topic, and more importantly, my own experience! When I first began my importing career I turned a blind eye to the need to have my company’s products labeled with “Country of Origin” markings. $5000 later, I learned a very costly lesson.
This article is meant to give an introductory overview of different labeling considerations. It is written from the perspective of the United States and will not address every country and every product. However, most countries, especially those in the West, have similar rules and at the very least, this article should give you a good starting point for further research.
In the U.S., there are several different agencies that govern what must be labeled on a product in order for it to be imported into the United States. These agencies include:
- Customs and Border Protection
- Federal Trade Commission
- Food and Drug Administration
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms