US Market Entry Insights & K-Brand Success Stories
As of October 2026, US sales tax is set by each state, and a seller with no US office has sales tax nexus once it passes a state threshold. California and Texas use $500,000. Amazon, Walmart and TikTok Shop collect on most marketplace orders, but direct sales and US inventory need their own check.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, lithium batteries generally must be a type that passed UN 38.3 testing. Air-shipping limits depend on battery type and packaging. Ask the manufacturer for test information and check the carrier's rules.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, the USPTO charges $350 per class for a Section 1 or 44 trademark application. Missing information adds $100 per class, and a free-form ID adds $200. Applicants domiciled outside the US or its territories need a US-licensed attorney.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, Amazon charges FBA sellers a returns processing fee only on units returned above a category threshold, from 2.9% for Grocery to 12.8% for luggage. Apparel and shoes pay on every return. Refund administration, removal and return label costs come on top.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, most packaged foods, including imports, need a US Nutrition Facts panel unless an exemption applies. The panel uses FDA serving sizes and Daily Values. An incorrect label can lead to detention or refusal.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, under Incoterms DDP the seller handles US import clearance and pays the duty, and under DAP the buyer does. DDU is not one of the 11 Incoterms 2020 rules. A seller who quotes DDP must be able to act as the US importer of record.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) charges a per-unit fee that includes delivery and stores each inbound shipment free for 60 days. Brands that ship from their own 3PL must get each order to In Transit within 2 business days.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, Amazon Brand Registry is free, but the trademark owner must enroll with a mark from an office Amazon accepts. For the US store that is the USPTO. A pending filing qualifies only "in some cases," and the verification code goes to the contact on the trademark record.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, Walmart Marketplace has no sign-up or monthly fee. Sellers pay a referral fee on each sale (8% or 15% in beauty) and must ship from a US warehouse with returns or use WFS. A Korean company can apply with a W-8BEN-E and its Business Registration Certificate.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, a $24.99 beauty product sold through a distributor to a specialty retailer invoices at $9.37 in our example. After trade terms and Net 60 payment, the brand nets $7.86 per unit, so landed cost must stay at or under $5.50 for a 30% margin.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, not every US entry needs a customs bond. CBP has proposed, not finalized, a bond on every informal entry of $2,500 or less (Entry Types 11 and 13). Comments close December 7, 2026. Formal entries already need a bond.
Read MoreAs of October 2026, the ISF importer or its customs broker files 10 data elements for ocean cargo, 8 due 24 hours before loading abroad and 2 due 24 hours before US arrival. CBP can claim $5,000 per late or inaccurate ISF, and a 2026 executive order calls for stricter penalty standards.
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