Do I need to charge Sales Tax on Imports I'm shipping to US customers?

Thanks for the detailed explanation! So if I understand correctly, as a small seller I probably don't need to worry about collecting US sales tax at first? Those economic nexus thresholds sound much higher than what I'm expecting in my first year. Do you know if there's any way to make the import duties process smoother for my customers? I'm worried they might get surprised by unexpected fees when their snacks arrive.

You're right that you likely won't need to collect sales tax initially with your expected volume. Just keep track of your sales by state so you'll know if you start approaching thresholds. Regarding import duties, you can make things easier for customers by using a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping option where you pay all import costs upfront and build it into your product price. This way customers don't get surprised by extra fees. Many e-commerce sellers find this increases customer satisfaction despite slightly higher product prices. You might also want to clearly state your shipping policies on your website so customers understand exactly what to expect.

That sounds interesting. How accurate is it though? Does it actually handle international seller situations specifically? I tried a sales tax calculator once that kept assuming I had a US business address.

Did it help with figuring out the HS codes for your products? I'm looking at exporting Korean skincare products and those classification codes are so confusing. Also wondering if it helps with the FDA compliance stuff since I'm dealing with cosmetics.

I've found it to be incredibly accurate for my international seller situation. It specifically has options for foreign sellers shipping to US customers and doesn't assume you have a US business presence. It asked for my country of operation and tailored everything from there. Yes, it actually does help with HS codes! You can enter your product types and it suggests the appropriate codes to use. For your Korean skincare products, it would definitely help with classification. It also has sections covering FDA compliance requirements for different product categories including cosmetics, which would be super relevant for your business. It saved me tons of research time.

How does this actually work though? Seems sketchy that they could somehow get you ahead in a government phone line. Are you sure this is legitimate?

Does this work for calling the IRS too? I've been trying to sort out my ITIN application for weeks and can't get through to anyone. Also, did they charge you for this service?

It doesn't put you ahead in line - they use automated technology to call and navigate the phone system, then hold your place in queue. When they detect a human agent is about to pick up, they connect you. It's completely legitimate - they're just handling the waiting part for you. Yes, it absolutely works for IRS calls too! That's actually what they're best known for. I've used it for both CBP and IRS. For my ITIN questions, I got through in about 25 minutes instead of the 3+ hours I spent previously trying on my own. They do charge for the service, but I can't discuss pricing here - you can check their website for current rates. For me, it was worth every penny considering the time saved.

That's a good point I hadn't considered! My products are mainly dried fruits, rice-based snacks, and some packaged candy/cookies. No meat or dairy. Do you know if these would likely need FDA registration? I was planning to properly label all ingredients in English.

Based on what you've described, your products would likely be classified as "low-risk" food items, but you would still need to ensure they comply with FDA labeling requirements (ingredient lists, allergen warnings, nutritional information in US format). For dried fruits and shelf-stable snacks, you probably don't need facility registration, but you will need to file Prior Notice with the FDA before shipping each commercial entry. The good news is that many rice-based snacks, dried fruits, and packaged goods generally fall under the "food product" exemption in most states, meaning they wouldn't be subject to sales tax even if you did reach nexus thresholds. However, specialty candies sometimes get classified differently, so it's worth checking the specific classification of your product line.

ePacket is definitely the way to go for small items! Just be aware it can be slow (2-4 weeks sometimes). I offer my customers both ePacket for cheaper shipping and DHL as a premium option. That way they can choose based on their budget and timeline.

Thanks for sharing your experience with Thai textiles! The payment processor requirements are something I definitely need to look into more carefully. I'm currently using Stripe but hadn't thought about how international seller policies might be different for refunds and disputes. Your point about communicating shipping times upfront is so important. I was thinking of creating a simple FAQ page that explains the typical delivery timeline and what customers can expect during the import process. Did you find that helped reduce customer service inquiries? Also curious - have you run into any issues with Thai customs on the export side? I'm still figuring out what documentation I need to provide when shipping out from here.