CBP is not the only agency at the border
CBP controls the entry process, while partner government agencies enforce laws for particular products. An entry may need agency-specific data, documents, permits, registrations, or review.
The four-step journey
Meet the agencies that can regulate food, cosmetics, medical devices, toys, plants, wildlife, vehicles, chemicals, and more.
- Product facts reveal agency interest
- PGA data join the customs entry
- CBP and the agency screen the line
- Release, hold, refusal, or follow-up results
What the broker checks
- Which agencies regulate the product
- Required codes, permits, registrations, or certificates
- Consistency between agency and customs data
Why it matters
A correct HTS code does not guarantee admissibility. Classification and agency compliance solve different questions.
- PGA: Partner government agency.
- Admissibility: Whether merchandise may legally enter.
Official sources
- FDA — Import Basics
- CPSC — Importing Consumer Products
- CBP — Basic Importing and Exporting