What are the Safety and Importing Regulations For Outdoor Furniture to the US?
When importing outdoor furniture from China to the US, You must follow several safety regulations to ensure the safety of both the products and the consumers.
The US and China created this regulation to standardize the quality of outdoor furniture imported into the US. The Chinese and US governments put the regulations in place, covering various topics.
The regulation regarding importing outdoor furniture from China to the US was first implemented in 2007.
Introduction
In 2007, the United States and China’s government agreed to implement new regulations surrounding the import of outdoor furniture from China to the United States.
The reason for these regulations was to help standardize the quality of imported outdoor furniture, as there had been a dramatic increase in the amount of outdoor furniture imported from China to the US.
The article will mention the safety regulations and regulations that must be followed when importing outdoor furniture from China to the US.
Paying Applicable Import Duties
The import duty is a tax levied on goods imported into the US from another country.
The amount of import duty that needs to be paid will depend on the type of imported product and the country it is from.
Check Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States
Customs Tariff
One of the main regulations that must be followed when importing outdoor furniture from China to the US is the customs tariff.
The customs tariff is a tax that is placed on goods that are imported into the US. The amount of customs tariff you have to pay will depend on the value of the imported goods.
To ensure the customs tariff is paid, all importers must submit a declaration to US Customs and Border Protection.
This declaration must include the value of the imported goods and the country of origin.
Click the photo to download Chapter 94 of Custom Tariff
Registering with CBP
All outdoor furniture importers from China to the US must register with US Customs and Border Protection. You can do this by filling out a short registration form on the CBP website.
This form generates a distinct importer identification for CBP and is necessary for all formal entries. Submissions for commercial purposes or worth more than $2,500 are known as formal entries.
Before your outdoor furniture can be sent to the United States, you’ll need to provide the IRS import number and your social security number or tax identification number.
Once registered, importers will be given a unique importer number which must be used on all formal entries.
Importing Wood Furniture
Importing wooden furniture requires a USDA APHISÂ Lacey Act Declaration form. The Lacey Act requires importers to state that the wooden furniture has been made from wood legally harvested in the country of origin and that it complies with all US laws and regulations.
The Lacey Act also requires that the importer provide a detailed description of the imported wooden furniture and the country of origin.
Importing Wooden Furniture Made of Composite Materials
The EPA Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) declaration certifies the composite wood materials are Title VI Section 13 compliant, and the furniture must be labelled as such.
The TSCA form is required for all composite wood products, including those made entirely of synthetic materials.
Safety Regulations for Importing Outdoor Furniture to the US
Several safety regulations must be followed when importing outdoor furniture to the US. These regulations are in place to ensure that the outdoor furniture being imported is safe for use.
Some of the safety regulations that must be followed when importing outdoor furniture to the US include:
- The outdoor furniture must be made from materials that are safe for use.
- The outdoor furniture must be free of any sharp edges or points.
- The outdoor furniture must be sturdily constructed and should not risk tipping over.
- The outdoor furniture must be designed to prevent it from being a tripping hazard.
- The outdoor furniture must be suitable for use outdoors and should not be made from flammable materials.
- The outdoor furniture must be safe for use by children and should not contain any small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
- The outdoor furniture must be made from materials that are weather resistant and will not rot or degrade the outdoors.
- The outdoor furniture must be made from materials that are non-toxic and will not release harmful fumes or chemicals.
- The outdoor furniture must be made from environmentally friendly materials that can be recycled or reused.
These are just some safety regulations that must be followed when importing outdoor furniture to the US.
It is crucial to ensure that you are familiar with all the safety regulations before you begin importing outdoor furniture to the US.
If you failed to follow the regulations?
Failure to comply with these safety regulations could result in outdoor furniture being recalled or banned from being sold in the US. In some cases, you may also be subject to civil or criminal penalties.
Importing outdoor furniture with harmful substances
Several substances are banned from being used in outdoor furniture.
These substances are considered to be harmful and can pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Some of the substances that are banned from being used in outdoor furniture include:
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Chromium VI
- PVC
All furniture must meet SPSC standards. The SPSC standards are a set of safety standards used to ensure that all furniture is safe for use.
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act is a crucial step in the process. This includes product packaging as well. PIn many jurisdictions; products must not be packaged with heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Importing Upholstered Furniture
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates the flammability of upholstered furniture. The CPSC has established flammability standards that all upholstered furniture must meet.
The California Technical Bulletin 117 (TB117) is the most common flammability standard. The TB117 standard requires that all upholstered furniture be treated with a flame retardant chemical.
Sofa fire label
All upholstered furniture must be labeled with a sofa fire label. The sofa fire label is a small tag attached to the furniture. You can find it at the edge of the item. Otherwise, you won’t be able to donate the furniture to the charity.
The label must contain the following information:
- The manufacturer of the furniture.
- The date that the factory manufactured the furniture.
- The address of the manufacturer.
- The type of flame retardant chemical that was used to treat the furniture.
- The name of the testing laboratory that conducted the flammability test.
- The flammability rating of the furniture.
Furniture not labeled with a sofa fire label may not be legal to sell in the US.
bs 5852
The BS 5852 standard is a set of flammability tests used to test upholstered furniture’s flammability.
The most common BS 5852 test is the match test. The match test involves setting a small flame on the furniture and observing how the furniture burns.
Furniture that passes the BS 5852 match test is considered to be safe for use in the home.
Quoting from pcbusa.com
Import Fundamentals:
- You will be acting as the Importer of Record. Therefore, you are the party ultimately responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the import declaration, as well as the payment of applicable duties and taxes into the US.
- Duty and tax must be paid upon importation into the US.
- The rate of duty is determined by the tariff of the commodity being imported, the value of the goods and, the origin of the goods.
- Certain import documentation is required to be presented to the border services officer at the port of entry.
- Your import may be subject to a customs review, inspection or audit prior to, at the time of, or after the importation. The Government of the US may levy additional fees for these services.
- You are required to keep your import records for five years following the import date and can be audited by Customs at any point during this time.
To download the full guide on furniture regulations.
Conclusion
Importing outdoor furniture from China to the US can be a complex process. A number of regulations must be followed to ensure that the furniture is safe for use and meets all safety standards.
It is important to ensure that you are familiar with all the regulations before importing. Yoho outdoor furniture is ready to help you import outdoor furniture from China to the US.
