International shipping of samples
Shipping samples to a trade show requires handling customs correctly so goods clear without duties being assessed (if you use an ATA Carnet) or with correct duty assessment (if you don't). This page covers the standard process for US-bound trade show samples.
Three ways to ship samples
1. ATA Carnet (recommended)
ATA Carnet is an international customs document that lets you temporarily import goods (samples, professional equipment) without paying duties or taxes. You pay a carnet issuance fee, get the carnet, ship the goods, bring them back.
- Cost: $200-400 carnet issuance fee + shipping
- Coverage: most countries, US is one
- Time: 2-4 weeks to obtain
- Requirement: carnet issued by your local chamber of commerce
Best for: valuable samples you're bringing back, or samples you want to re-use for multiple shows.
2. Permanent import (no duty on samples below threshold)
The US has a de minimis exemption for samples of negligible value. Goods under $800 per shipment per address typically clear without formal entry. For samples valued under $800, you can ship them as commercial samples with a low declared value and avoid duty.
- Cost: shipping only, no carnet fee
- Coverage: shipments below $800 per address
- Time: 2-3 weeks shipping
Best for: low-value samples (less than a few hundred dollars total per shipment), or when you want samples to stay in the US for re-use.
3. Standard commercial import
Ship as if the goods are being sold. Declare value, pay duty, file entry. Samples become US property when they arrive.
- Cost: shipping + duty + broker fee ($200-500 per shipment in fixed costs)
Best for: low-priority samples, or when carnet cost doesn't make sense.
HTS codes for trade show samples
Even on samples, you need the right HTS code. Get it wrong and your shipment sits in customs.
| Sample type | Likely HTS chapter |
|---|---|
| Plastic household articles | 3924 (other articles of plastic) |
| Ceramic kitchenware | 6911 (tableware, kitchenware) |
| Lighting fixtures | 9405 (lamps and lighting fittings) |
| Furniture (wood) | 9403 (other furniture) |
| Textile home goods (bedding) | 6302 (bed linen) |
| Textile home goods (curtains) | 6303 (curtains) |
| Tools / hardware | 8201-8205 (hand tools by category) |
| Cookware (steel) | 7323 (other articles of iron/steel) |
Use the same HTS code you would for production goods. For help finding the right code, consult a customs broker or use the US CBP HTS lookup tool.
Shipping options
Pallet shipping (LCL or FCL)
If you have 20+ samples or bulky items, palletize and ship as LCL (less than container load). Cost per kg is much lower than courier.
- LCL Shanghai to LA: $80-150 per cubic meter
- LCL Ningbo to Memphis: $100-180 per cubic meter
- Door-to-door: 4-6 weeks including customs
Courier (DHL / FedEx / UPS)
Faster but more expensive per kg. Use for small samples or last-minute shipments.
- DHL China to US: $5-15 per kg plus $25-50 base fee
- Door-to-door: 3-7 business days
Customs paperwork you need
- Commercial invoice (samples marked as such, with declared value)
- Packing list
- HTS code per item
- ATA Carnet (if using one)
- Power of attorney for your customs broker (filed once, persists for subsequent shipments)
- Any product-specific compliance docs (if your samples require them, e.g. electronics need FCC docs on file)
What goes wrong without these
Customs hold / return-to-shipper scenarios:
- No HTS code - shipment delayed 1-4 weeks while you clarify
- Wrong HTS code - duty assessed at higher rate, broker fee up, possible re-classification penalty
- No commercial invoice - shipment held indefinitely
- Compliance docs missing - shipment refused entry
- ATA Carnet missing physical carnet when arriving - shipment treated as commercial import, duty assessed
Show-specific resources
Most major trade show organizers have an official freight / logistics partner. Examples:
- ASD Market Week uses Freeman for freight
- IHA / Inspired Home Show uses GES
- High Point Market uses multiple vendors including local carriers
- Most European shows use Messe Frankfurt logistics partners
Use the show's official logistics vendor. They handle on-site delivery, booth delivery, and have dedicated customs processes for the show. Your own freight forwarder may not handle show-specific delivery (drop-off at convention center, not at your warehouse).
Customs brokers
If you don't have a US customs broker, get one. The show's logistics partner usually offers broker services at a discount. Our preferred partners for US-bound trade show samples:
- (Reference list available - email us)