Import License Requirements
Licenses are not needed to import most kinds of personal and business goods that come into the United States. The goods must be declared and taxes must be paid on these goods. However, certain government agencies may require specific licenses for certain goods, particularly those deemed potentially dangerous. Import license requirements are enforced by the United States Customs and Border Protection.
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EAR
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Export Administration Requirements (EAR) import licenses are required by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for non-weapon items that may be used for a military purpose. Licenses are issued on the basis of an item's "technical characteristics, the destination, the end-user and the end-use," according to the U.S. Council for International Business (see References 1). More information about applying for these import licenses can be found on the BIS website (see Resources 1).
Weapons
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Certain weapons and arms may not be imported into the U.S. without a license, as stipulated by the Arms Export Control Act (see References 1). This includes any heavy artillery and test data or software relating to military defense. Typically, import licenses for these materials will only be issued to those authorized by the State Department. Licenses are not generally necessary for personal consumers or firearms dealers, particularly in the case of antique firearms and ammunition parts (see References 1).
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Nuclear Weapons
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A different kind of import license is required for nuclear materials and weaponry. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issues these licenses based on the specific materials being exported, the amount and the final destination and purpose (see References 1). If materials are deemed to be threatening to the U.S., licenses will not be issued. More information about these import licenses can be found on the NRC website (see Resources 2).
Live Plants and Animals
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Because the importation of live plants and animals can be dangerous to local ecosystems, an import license is required by the U.S. Department of Agricultural Animal and Plant Health Service (see References 1). Importation licenses help to ensure the protection of animal and plant health and to monitor what is being brought into the U.S (see References 2). The re-importation of live animals into the U.S. also requires a license which is issued based on a number of factors. This includes the countries visited and the amount of time the animal spent in each (see References 1).
Endangered Animals
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Another specific license is required for the importation of endangered species. These licenses are known as CITES, based upon an international agreement established to protect endangered species (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). Endangered species must be declared, and anybody seeking to import these animals or plants must also have documentation authorizing the species to be removed from its nation of origin (see References 1). CITES are issued by the International Management Authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see Resources 3).
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References
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