1. Verify the company and the product
Create an evidence pack: legal company name, registration, factory location, production categories, machinery, capacity ranges and relevant trade documents. Distinguish factory-owned production from subcontracting. Record the scope, issuer and expiry date of every certification; do not label a factory 'certified' based on an unverified PDF or sales claim.
2. Match U.S. compliance to the exact product
U.S. import rules depend on commodity classification and agencies beyond customs. Food, cosmetics, textiles, electronics and children's goods face different requirements. Confirm HTS classification, labeling, testing, restricted materials, country-of-origin marking and any agency permits with a qualified customs broker or specialist. This publication is informational, not legal or customs advice.
3. Demonstrate repeatable quality and delivery
Before quotations, prepare a current specification sheet, sample approval process, inspection plan, test reports where relevant, packaging data, realistic lead time, minimum order quantity and Incoterms proposal. A product photo is not a substitute for batch traceability, documented quality controls or independent verification. Build a corrective-action route for defects.
4. Confirm counterparties, pricing and logistics
Screen buyers and intermediaries, validate payment terms and review landed-cost assumptions. Freight can enter through the gateway that suits the destination — not necessarily Miami. BEEP's proposed factory qualification is an internal evidence-review program, not a U.S. government approval or substitute for a third-party inspection.