USA Step-by-Step Guide to Importing a Roll Forming Machine (New & Used)

Decide who will be the Importer of Record (IOR) (your company name/address must match across all documents).

Step 1 — Confirm your “Importer setup” before you pay a deposit

Do

• Decide who will be the Importer of Record (IOR) (your company name/address must match across all documents).

• Choose your US customs broker early (don’t wait until the ship is on the water).

• Decide if you need a single-entry bond or a continuous bond (if you’ll import more than once, continuous is often cleaner operationally).

Don’t

• Don’t let the supplier use a different consignee name “for convenience.” Mismatched names cause holds.

Step 2 — Lock the Incoterm + who pays what (this prevents surprise bills)

Pick one and put it on the proforma + final invoice:

• FOB (common): supplier gets it on the vessel; you control ocean freight onward.

• CIF: supplier books freight + minimum insurance to US port (you still handle US port charges + clearance).

• DAP: delivered to your site but you typically still handle import clearance/duties unless contract says otherwise.

• DDP: supplier handles duty-paid delivery (simple, but often least transparent).

Do

• Put in writing who pays demurrage/detention, port storage, exam costs, and “destination charges.”

Step 3 — Build a “CBP-friendly” product description (reduces HS-code disputes)

Use this formula on the commercial invoice:

Condition + control type + material + function + model + serial + industrial use

Example:

“New PLC-controlled steel roofing panel roll forming line for cold-forming galvanized steel coil, Model XX, Serial ####, includes hydraulic shear and decoiler, for industrial panel production.”

Do

• Include serial numbers (or at least nameplate photo).

• List major line components (decoiler, servo feed, punch, shear, stacker).

Don’t

• Don’t use “roll forming machine” only. It’s too vague.

Step 4 — Collect the exact document pack your broker will need

Send these to your broker before vessel arrival:

• Commercial invoice (Incoterm, currency, description, origin)

• Packing list (crates, weights, dimensions, component breakdown)

• Bill of Lading (B/L)

• Insurance certificate (if separately insured)

• Serial/nameplate photos

• Manuals + electrical/hydraulic drawings (recommended for “industrial machinery” clarity)

Common doc errors that trigger delays

• Invoice description ≠ packing list description

• Missing origin statement

• Wrong/missing consignee address

• Weight mismatches vs B/L

Step 5 — Ocean freight to the USA: file ISF (10+2) correctly and on time

If shipping ocean to the USA, the Importer Security Filing (ISF / 10+2) must be submitted no later than 24 hours before cargo is loaded at the foreign port.

Do

• Give your broker/forwarder the supplier, factory address, stuffing location, container stuffing party, etc., early.

Don’t

• Don’t “guess” ISF data. Bad ISF info creates avoidable holds/penalty risk.

Step 6 — Understand US charges: duty is only one line item

A) Duty (HTS/HS-based)

Your broker confirms the HTSUS classification and duty rate using the official schedule.

B) MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee) — almost always applies

MPF is charged on most imports; CBP publishes the FY2026 minimum and maximum and confirms the ad valorem structure.

C) HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee) — ocean cargo at US ports

HMF is a port use fee of 0.125% of value on commercial cargo loaded/unloaded at covered ports.

Do

• Budget MPF + HMF + destination/terminal charges, not just duty.

Step 7 — Pre-calc your “CBP import cost” (simple working example)

Assume:

• Machine value (invoice): $120,000

• Duty rate (example): 2.5% (your broker confirms)

• MPF (ad valorem with min/max per CBP FY rules)

• HMF (ocean): 0.125%

Estimated

• Duty: $120,000 × 2.5% = $3,000

• HMF: $120,000 × 0.125% = $150

• MPF: depends on the MPF formula and min/max caps (your broker will calculate from entry value).

Then add: broker fees, terminal charges, delivery order fees, chassis/trucking, and unloading/rigging.

Step 8 — Vessel arrives: what happens at the US port (the real timeline)

1. Container discharged to terminal

2. Terminal “free time” clock starts (demurrage/storage risk)

3. Broker files entry/release steps

4. If selected: CBP exam/inspection

5. CBP release → truck pickup

6. Inland delivery → unload → container return

Entry summary timing
CBP explains that an entry summary must be filed and estimated duties deposited within 10 working days after entry.

Step 9 — Avoid the #1 budget killer: demurrage & detention (USA reality)

Do

• Pre-clear documents with broker before ETA

• Have duty/fee payments ready

• Book trucking and unloading in advance

• Plan container return depot and hours

Don’t

• Don’t wait until the last “free day” to move the container.

Step 10 — Inland delivery in the USA: plan the right truck + site access

Choose based on what’s shipping:

• Container on chassis (most common)

• Flatbed/step deck/lowboy (oversize/heavy or after transload)

Do

• Confirm gate width, turning radius, overhead lines, ground bearing, and crane/forklift capacity before pickup.

Step 11 — Receiving + unloading: protect your claim rights

Before you sign anything

• Photograph container number + seal

• Photograph inside before moving cargo

• Note damage/missing crates on delivery paperwork

• Keep blocking/bracing/packaging until accepted

(If you sign “clean,” claims get harder.)

Step 12 — Compliance basics (USA)

At minimum, ensure you receive:

• Nameplate/rating info (voltage/phase/Hz/serial/year)

• Manuals + electrical diagrams

• Safety labels/guards installed as supplied

(If your machine will be used in regulated workplaces, your EHS team/installer should confirm site safety expectations before commissioning.)

USA “Do & Don’t” (quick list)

Do

• File ISF correctly and on time for ocean shipments.

• Budget MPF and HMF (ocean), not just duty.

• Hit the 10 working day entry summary timing with your broker.

• Plan trucking, unloading, and container return before arrival.

Don’t

• Don’t accept vague invoices or missing serials.

• Don’t rush sign-off on delivery.

Compliance document request list (USA) — copy/paste to suppliers

1. Commercial Invoice (Incoterm, full description, origin, currency, model/serial)

2. Packing List (crate-by-crate weights/dimensions; components listed)

3. Bill of Lading (draft for approval before release)

4. Insurance certificate (if applicable)

5. Nameplate/serial photos

6. Manuals (operator + maintenance)

7. Electrical drawings + hydraulic schematics

8. Spare parts list + included accessories list

9. Packing photos (blocking/bracing + moisture protection)