E-Commerce & Digital SellersAnswered

What customs and import duty rules apply when my foreign LLC imports products for e-commerce?

LV
linh_vn_b245new member
June 8, 2023 1,123 views 1 answer
customsimport dutiestariffsforeign LLCimportingCBPe-commerce

My foreign-owned LLC (Florida) imports products from my home country (Vietnam) to sell in the U.S. I'm importing handmade furniture and home decor items. Some shipments are worth $5,000-$15,000.

I'm confused about customs duties, tariffs, and how they interact with my LLC's tax obligations. Do I need a customs broker? What is the difference between duties and sales tax? And how do I account for these costs on my tax returns?

I've heard there are special tariff rates for Vietnamese imports and I want to make sure I'm not overpaying.

Related Questions

EcommerceAnswered

What bookkeeping records must my foreign-owned e-commerce LLC maintain?

I've been running my e-commerce business through a foreign-owned LLC for two years and my bookkeeping is a mess. I have sales on Amazon, Shopify, and eBay. Payments come through multiple processors. I...

AC
andres_co_bf2d·Aug 25, 2021
1,6781
EcommerceAnswered

Can I still ship my Shopify orders under the $800 de minimis to skip duties?

My old plan was to keep inventory at the factory and ship each Shopify order to the US customer under the $800 de minimis so it comes in duty-free. Someone told me that doesn't work anymore. Is the $8...

TH
Tobias H.·May 9, 2026
2,3101
EcommerceAnswered

How is affiliate marketing income taxed in my foreign-owned LLC?

I run several niche websites through my foreign-owned Wyoming LLC. My revenue comes from affiliate commissions — Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, ShareASale, and some direct brand partnerships. I'm fr...

PT
pim_th_3aee·Aug 3, 2021
1,3451
EcommerceAnswered

I sell on eBay through my foreign-owned LLC — what are my U.S. tax obligations?

I'm based in Canada and I have a Florida LLC that I use for selling vintage electronics on eBay. I ship items from Canada to U.S. buyers. Some items I keep in a storage unit in Florida and ship from t...

DC
daniel_ca_ebdc·Jun 10, 2019
1,5231
EcommerceAnsweredFeatured

How do I determine if my foreign-owned LLC's e-commerce income is effectively connected income (ECI)?

I've read through all the threads here about ECI and I'm still confused. Everyone says 'it depends on the facts' but no one explains how to actually analyze those facts. I run three different business...

MA
martin_ar_841f·Aug 14, 2023
2,8901
EcommerceAnswered

How is Google AdSense and advertising revenue taxed for my foreign-owned LLC?

I operate content websites through my foreign-owned LLC (Delaware) and earn money primarily from Google AdSense, Mediavine, and sponsored posts. I'm from Nigeria and everything is managed from Lagos. ...

CN
chidi_ng_4bb0·Jul 2, 2022
1,4561
EcommerceAnswered

How does Stripe handle tax reporting for my foreign-owned LLC?

My foreign-owned LLC uses Stripe to process payments for my online business. I'm from India and the LLC is in Delaware. I submitted my W-8BEN-E to Stripe during onboarding. Will Stripe send me a 1099...

A8
arjun_8dd4·Sep 20, 2025
2,2101
EcommerceAnswered

I use Upwork and Fiverr through my foreign-owned LLC — what are my U.S. tax obligations?

I'm a web developer from Ukraine working through my Wyoming LLC on Upwork and Fiverr. I earn about $85,000/year from U.S. and international clients through these platforms. All work is done remotely f...

DU
dmytro_ua_3149·Jul 23, 2021
1,5671
EcommerceAnsweredFeatured

What is the 1099-K reporting threshold and does it apply to my foreign-owned LLC?

I keep seeing conflicting information about the 1099-K threshold. Is it $600? $5,000? $20,000? It seems like it changes every year. My foreign-owned LLC receives payments through Stripe and PayPal for...

PF
priya_fa0a·Sep 14, 2022
2,6781
EcommerceAnsweredFeatured

What are my tax obligations as a foreign LLC owner selling on Amazon FBA?

I'm a non-US person from the UK running an Amazon FBA business through a Wyoming LLC. I source products from China and ship them to Amazon's fulfillment centers in the US. Last year I did about $180,0...

JG
james_gb_a434·Jul 25, 2020
2,8471

Have a similar question?

ForeignLLCTax members get expert answers with IRS citations. One CPA consultation costs $200+. Full access is $9.99/month.

Become a Member — $9.99/mo

Disclaimer: All content on ForeignLLCTax.com is created by a tax professional and is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or accounting advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Every tax situation is different — for advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a licensed CPA, Enrolled Agent, or tax attorney. By using this website, purchasing a subscription, or accessing any tools or services, you acknowledge that no client-professional relationship is established between you and ForeignLLCTax.com or its operators. This website is not affiliated with the IRS.

Watch the walkthroughs