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All Documents You Need to Know Before Starting to Sell
Selling on Amazon US offers a serious growth opportunity for brands when set up correctly.
However, the most critical point of this process is not the operation, but document management.
A missing, incorrect, or incompatible document can lead to your shipment being rejected, stuck at customs, or incurring high additional costs.
Therefore, it is necessary to set up the process correctly from the very beginning.
In this guide, you can find all the critical documents needed for the export process to the US and the points to consider, one by one and in a simple manner.
The Right Start: E-Archive Invoice
The first step in exporting goods abroad is to issue the correct invoice.
The most common mistake made here is proceeding with an e-invoice. However, an e-archive invoice should be used in this process.
There are some critical points in this process:
The invoice type must be e-archive, Exception Code 311 (Export of Goods) must be selected, and VAT must be billed as 0%.
In addition, seller and buyer information must be complete; the GTIP code, delivery term, and address information must be added.
Also, the invoice must include the phrase “Of Turkish Origin”, must be issued in TRY, and must be perfectly compatible with the ETGB.
🔴 To see the E-Archive sample document, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Critical Role at US Entry: FDA Requirements
A large portion of products sent to the US are subject to FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations.
Therefore, necessary compliances must be met according to the product category.
For example, registration is mandatory for food products, notification may be required for cosmetic products, approval is required for medical products, and the process in the pharmaceutical category is completely dependent on mandatory approval.
In addition, it is mandatory to have a US Agent in this process, and products must comply with labeling rules.
🔴 To see the FDA requirements document sample, click here
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To see the FDA preparation steps in detail, click here
Mandatory Step in Food and Cosmetic Shipments: FDA Prior Notice
If you are sending food products to the US, the products must be notified to the FDA before they arrive in the country.
This process is called FDA Prior Notice and is mandatory.
An FDA Registration Number is required to make this notification.
Additionally, the generated confirmation number must be present on both the invoice and the box.
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Environmental and Chemical Compliance: TSCA
Compliance with US environmental legislation is mandatory for products with chemical or wood content.
In this scope, TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) comes into play, and the process is managed by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
The most critical point here is choosing the correct certification and specifying the HS / HTS code correctly.
Additionally, the TSCA declaration must be perfectly compatible with all other documents.
🔴 To see the TSCA document sample, click here
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Product Safety: MSDS
For products containing chemicals, cosmetics, or batteries, the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is of great importance. This document contains the content information and safety details of the product.
The MSDS must be prepared in English and must have been updated within the last 2 years.
It is usually obtained from the manufacturer and requested prior to flight.
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To review the details, click here
Electronic and Medical Products: Radiation Declaration
Additional declarations are requested for certain product groups.
For electronic and medical products, a Radiation Declaration showing that the product contains no radiation may be requested.
This document is typically obtained from the manufacturer and may be requested by Amazon or the carrier.
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To review the details, click here
Amazon Shipments: Diamond / Jewel Declaration
Within the scope of US sanctions, origin checks are performed especially on diamond products.
Therefore, a Diamond / Jewel Declaration must be prepared.
If there are no diamonds in the shipment, the relevant box is checked.
For company shipments, it must contain a signature, stamp, and date.
🔴 To see the Diamond/Jewel Declaration sample, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Food Safety Process: FSVP Importer
The party responsible for the safety of food imported into the US is the FSVP Importer.
This process is carried out under the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).
It is mandatory for every food shipment and is filled out by the importer located in the US.
Additionally, a DUNS Number is required in this process.
🔴 To see the FSVP Importer document sample, click here
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Global Identity: DUNS Number
In systems operating in/with the US, your company's global identity is the DUNS Number.
This number consists of 9 digits and is actively used on platforms like FDA and Amazon.
The application process is free and mandatory for many operations.
🔴 To view the official website, click here
Battery Products: Lithium Battery Shipping
Products containing lithium batteries are evaluated within the scope of Dangerous Goods.
Therefore, the shipping process is conducted according to IATA rules.
The battery type, capacity, and packaging style must be clearly specified.
🔴 To see the Lithium Battery document sample, click here
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Metal Products: Section 232
A Section 232 Form is used for metal products shipped to the US.
This form ensures that the proportions of steel, aluminum, and alloys in the product content are correctly declared.
In case of missing or incorrect information, an additional tax of up to 200% may occur.
🔴 To see the Section 232 document sample, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Wood and Botanical Products: Lacey Act
A Lacey Act Form is mandatory for plant, wood, and wood-derived products sent to the US. In this form, the product's:
Plant genus/species (Latin name)
Country of origin
Quantity must be specified in detail. The purpose is to prevent illegal logging and illegal trade.
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Pre-Control Tool: APHIS Guide
The compliance of products to be sent to the US must be checked before shipping.
At this point, the APHIS Core Admissibility Guide is an important reference.
Published by USDA APHIS, this guide contains critical rules especially for food, plant products, and wood packaging.
Checking it before shipment significantly reduces the risk of rejection.
🔴 To see the APHIS Guide document sample, click here
🔴 To view the official website, click here
🔴 To download the document, click here
Organic Products: USDA AMS Organic (NOP)
To sell with the
