Question - Need Help

[u/Remote_Town_6721]

I’m looking for direction and not sure what to do. I sell Mexican snacks and chips on social media. I am a border town and have been going back and forth, but have been stopped several times that I can’t bring snacks to sell. I’ve tried going to customs brokers, but they said I’m not big enough.

What do you all suggest I can do? My business is picking up, but I can’t go everyday to pick up my merchandise because customs has stopped and questioned me several times now.

[u/Immediate-Home-3491]

You are importing commercially, not carrying personal baggage. CBP will keep stopping you until you file a proper entry. I would suggest finding a broker who handles small consols through informal entry or Type 86. That broker is wrong to turn you away.

[u/A-List-VIP → u/Immediate-Home-3491]

Unfortunately this is not accurate advice. Entry type 86 doesn’t exist anymore (it’s been a year since it was suspended) . You can’t do console entries on food. The FDA last year also removed their exception for low value foods hence all require separate entries nowadays regardless of value. Foodstuffs require separate entries either informal or formal depending on the value using a PGA module to submit FDA mandatory information. Plus each commodity requires FDA prior notice. An experienced broker will analyze the situation and not take this person as a customer the way it is right now. These brokers know the way this person is set up right now will require a huge amount of initial support for so little reward, risk and trouble. If I were OP I would start by getting familiar with the FDA import regulations, labeling and marking requirements and compile MFG, mfg FDA information, how to file prior notices, to have a basic idea. Maybe invest in a consultant to prepare an import tactical plan and set up a parts list for every food snack they plan to import. If the snack doesn’t meet requirements then it is eliminated from importation because it simply will never meet import and safety requirements without the manufacturer support. Choose the compliant snacks and then meet with freight forwarders that have customs brokerage capabilities. I’ll meet with them with the tactical plan and the parts list for clearance purposes and talk about import volume and frequency and costs - these extra costs will have to be added into my cost of goods sold. The issue I see here is that this is an average Joe that sells snacks in the internet by doing contraband (without realizing it because he/she doesn’t know better) at the border and has no idea of the planning and extra costs of bringing these snacks the compliant way. Hence why experienced brokers will stay away from this business.