Doing business in the USA
Find out about the numerous things you need to consider before you start exporting to the USA.
There are lots of things to consider before preparing to export to the USA.
The US announced updated tariffs on 2 April. Read more about US trade tariffs.
Tax
The US tax system is complex. Taxes can be imposed by both the US federal government and individual states, counties and cities. governs federal taxes in the US.
You鈥檒l need to get tailored advice from a certified accountant or tax lawyer if exporting to the US.
There is no Value Added Tax (VAT) in the US. Sales tax varies from state to state.
You can find out more about state tax from the .
Standards and technical regulations
You must check your product meets all legal requirements in the US and you have all the required licences.
has more information on legal standards.
relating to food and drink, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics.
Packaging and labelling
Labelling requirements for consumer commodities are enforced by the .
There are specific labelling requirements for , drugs, and .
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Export licensing and restrictions
You鈥檒l need a license to export certain goods and services to the US because the import of some items is restricted or prohibited. .
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Trade barriers
to trading with the US.
that are affecting your business so we can help fix them.
Operating in the US
You should always get qualified legal guidance before entering into any agreement to do business in the US. Ideally, your contracts should be reviewed by lawyers who understand both US and UK law. The US Embassy has a .
Intellectual property
As a first step, we advise you to speak to an intellectual property lawyer if you think you need patent protection when exporting to the US.
If you intend to sell goods or services to the US, you should consider applying for US trademark protection and check that your trademark doesn鈥檛 infringe any existing trademark.
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Payment terms
Your contract will specify the terms for payment. Any disputes will need to go through the US legal system for resolution. This generally takes place in the US state specified in the contract and follows state laws.
When agreeing terms you should decide on an exchange rate and whether to use sterling or US dollars.
Business culture
Business communications in the US tend to be very direct. Getting straight to the point is appreciated and negotiations are likely to be very focused on closing a deal. The fine detail of the legal aspects of a contract or written agreement are likely to be heavily scrutinised.
Insurance UK
helps UK companies to get paid by insuring against buyer default.
Product liability law
You should make sure you understand product liability law and implement precautionary measures to reduce risk. These involve an investment of time and money and are an in-built cost of doing business in the US.
Entry requirements
You can visit the US for business for up to 90 days through the .
This is usually valid for 2 years or until your passport expires.
If you plan to work in the US, you鈥檒l need a non-immigrant visa.
The has more visa information.