Importing argan oil from Morocco to the United States is a lucrative business opportunity. Argan oil is known worldwide for its numerous advantages in skin and food applications. However, importing this liquid gold into the American terrain involves customs procedures and taxes. The customs process may seem complex and time-consuming but is manageable with the right preparedness. Customs procedures for importing products into the U.S. are overseen by several agencies, primarily the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration. The following are the key steps involved: Registration Requirements and Licensing; Filing the Importation Entry Declaration; and Inspection of the Merchandise. The taxation on imported argan oil products is mainly determined by the trade treaties between the U.S. and Morocco.
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1. Tariffs and Duties:
In the HTS, Argan oil classifies as this or sometimes cosmetic. These are subject to different duty rates which vary depending on the specific classification within that category. But the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can largely eliminate or diminish tariffs on Moroccan goods, including argan oil.
With the FTA, many goods receive preferential tariff treatment western importers could possibly not have to pay your full tradition duty rate on everything. It must for that purpose comply with the rules of origin regime established under this agreement in order to qualify as argan oil. For more information please visit the [World Trade Organization (WTO) FTA page](https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/rta_e.htm).
2. Sales Tax and Import Fees:
In addition to these customs duties, importers may also be subject to other charges such as the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) and Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF). These fees are industry standard for imports into the US so need to be built in your costs.
Also, once the argan oil arrives in your parcel you may need to pay a sales tax depending on where it is going. The taxes differ from state to state, and they will need to be factored into your product pricing.
Free Trade Agreements (Criteria) and Regional Trade Agreements
FTAs and RTAs are tools to help open the doors for trade, helping economies by lessening or eliminating tariffs, improving cross-border customs systems and building a closer relationship between countries. The U.S., for example has a host of FTAs such as the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement. For details on the agreements and associated benefits refer to [WTO Regional Trade Agreements page](https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/region_e.htm).
With these agreements, businesses may benefit from huge savings on the costs of imported goods like argan oil from Morocco provided that products meet certain criteria set forth in respective agreement.
Conclusion
As observed, successful importation with regard to argan oil from Morocco to the U.S. relies heavily on knowledge of the customs and requirements in terms of duties, taxes, and fees as stipulated by the regulations. Moreover, FTAs particularly the U.S.-Morocco FTA are essential to ensure minimal tariffs and maximized revenues. In this view, adequate preparation and strict adherence to the U.S. rules would be the ultimate guarantee for a commercially successful importation from Morocco to the U.S. if you wish to receive more detailed insights on the FTAs and their effect on international trade, you can visit the [WTO website](https://www.wto.org) and go to respective pages dedicated to RTAs and FTAs.