Shipment stuck in US customs - they are asking for "composition".

[charcinders]

I have a package that is currently stuck in customs in the USA en route to a customer. I have been asked by FedEx agents to provide "composition" of each item on the commercial invoice. Some of the items are electronic equipment, so a full and accurate description of the composition would take a lot of research and run to many pages. I have tried to find out from them exactly how much detail they need and what rules they are asking me to comply with, but the only reply I've had from them, in full, is "What are the items made of and there [sic] functions". Not a lot of help.
Has anyone else run into this? Is it just a FedEx thing? I've been shipping stuff to the US for 20 years and I've never been asked for it.

- Chris

 

[Deleted member 351022]

it sounds like a generic response so they can classify the goods or confirm the classification (HScode) you have provided. In the USA the broker is responsible for the classification so they probably feel there isn’t sufficient info on your docs.
I would provide composition where the materials the goods are made from is relevant and function for the electronics etc.
So for example garments , footwear, furniture, ceramics etc need composition as this is relevant in the tariff.

 

[charcinders]

I would provide composition where the materials the goods are made from is relevant and function for the electronics etc.

Thanks, that's really helpful. Function and/or composition, whichever is relevant, makes more sense.

 

[MOIC]

As @Customs Geek has mentioned, they probably require the HS Code, as well as the following:

• the type of product
• what the product is used for
• the materials used to make it

Use the following link:

Trade Tariff: look up commodity codes, duty and VAT rates

Search for import and export commodity codes and for tax, duty and licences that apply to your goods.

www.gov.uk

If your products are exported to the USA from China, there may be additional information required.

 

[Deleted member 351022]

As MOIC says the US has all sorts of additional controls /duties on many types of Chinese goods no matter where they are consigned from.

 

[charcinders]

I have received more information from FedEx. They wanted to know whether there were any aluminium parts, and if so, were they extruded parts made in China, and if so, whether they underwent further processing in Mexico, and what the chemical composition of the aluminium was . Fortunately the aluminium case was made in the UK.
They also wanted to know what metal the wires in the USB cable and power cable were made of. Seriously?!

Lesson learned - next time use DHL.