Tariffs, Trade & Transformation: Unlocking U.S. Markets for Indian Exporters

Held on May 14th, 2025 Virtual Talk

On May 14th, Entry India | Entry USA hosted a focused webinar titled "๐“๐ก๐ž ๐ˆ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐š๐œ๐ญ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐”.๐’. ๐“๐š๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฌ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐‘๐ž๐๐ฎ๐œ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐“๐š๐ซ๐ข๐Ÿ๐Ÿ๐ฌ ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฉ๐š๐ง๐ข๐ž๐ฌ," in collaboration with Grunfeld Desiderio Lebowitz Silverman Klestadt (GDLSK) and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).

With the U.S. announcing a new wave of tariffs and a temporary 90-day pause, this session couldnโ€™t have been more timely. Indian exportersโ€”both established and emergingโ€”are looking for clarity, compliance, and cost-saving solutions.

170+ Indian companies participated.

Key Topics Covered:
  • Customs 101: U.S. import basics
  • Pre-Trump vs. Post-Trump tariff landscape
  • America First Trade Policy: what changed
  • Reciprocal Tariffs & their ripple effects
  • How foreign exporters and U.S. importers are responding
  • First Sale Duty Exemption โ€“ a strategic tool
  • Creative & legal strategies to reduce duty impact
Speakers

- Navin Pathak, CEO at Entry USA
- Manish Kulhary, Consul (Trade), Consulate General of India, New York
- Unnikrishnan Kottekkat, Joint Director General, FIEO
- Choudhary Dharmendra, Partner, GDLSK
- Ned Marshak, Partner, GDLSK
- Charlene Riley from JW Allen

Below are the presentation of the webinar

Download Presentation

FAQ's

  • Can a non-resident company be an importer of record (โ€œIORโ€)?
    Yes, a non-resident company can be an importer of record. An ultimate consignee must be provided to U.S. Customs and this entity must be based in the U.S.
  • What are the responsibilities of an importer of record?
    The importer of record is responsible for ensuring the imported goods meet all the import laws and regulations of the United States.
  • What is reasonable care?
    According to Section 484 of the Tariff Act, an importer of record must use reasonable care to ensure the entry being presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (โ€œCBPโ€) has the correct value, classification, country of origin in addition to the proper descriptions and documentation to enable CBP to determine that the product meets applicable laws and proper duties paid to the U.S.

    This means that the importer of record must have an individual(s) who are knowledgeable with the laws and regulations with the products it is importing into the United States. Reasonable care means that the importer does its due diligence in complying with the laws and regulations on the imported products.
  • How can I establish reasonable care as a non-resident importer?
    Yes, a non-resident importer can establish reasonable care as a non-resident importer. It would be critical as a non-resident importer that it relies on expertise by a custom broker and a customs attorney. This is a team that works on behalf of the importer of record.
  • What documentation is required by the customs broker to submit entries on behalf of a non-resident IOR?
    At the very least, a non-resident Power of Attorney and a CF5106-Create/Update Importer Identity Form. Each broker would also have their own set of on boarding documentation.
  • Does CBP require an import license from the non-resident importer?
    No, CBP does not require an import license from companies that import into the USA. However, various government agencies that monitor various products, these number over forty, do require permits and licenses. These permits and licenses require entities to be domiciled in the USA, so the ultimate consignee would be the party to obtain the license or permit.
  • What is a customs bond?
    Every entry requires a customs bond. This is basically an insurance policy the IOR takes out to ensure duties are paid to the US government should the product found to be prohibitive. Entry bonds are obtained through the customs broker. A very high percentage of importers have an annual or continuous bond as this covers all shipments for a period of one year, although there are exceptions.
  • Do I need to be involved with the customs process in the US if I am not the importer of record?
    Classification is a very technical issue so many times the importer requires information from the supplier to properly classified products. In addition, certain products might require the suppliers to be certified.

    Due to the complexity of importing into the US, the best advice I can give is for entities interested in importing into the United States to contact a broker or attorney.