U.S. and Canadian customs procedures, FDA registrations, and hazardous materials logistics often come into play together in the same shipment. In this article, we examine each of these three aspects separately and highlight the connections between them.
1. FDA Registration Process and Amazon Sales
Companies wishing to send food, food supplements, cosmetics or medical products to the United States must first complete FDA (Food and Drug Administration) registration procedures. These registrations are mandatory to ensure the safety of products, ingredient compatibility and accuracy of labeling information. FDA compliance is critical for selling on platforms such as Amazon and Walmart.
The registration process usually includes the following items:
- Food Facility Registration (FDA Food Facility Registration)
- Cosmetic Establishment Registration (FDA Cosmetic Facility Registration)
- US Agent Representation
- Product content and label compliance review (Label & Ingredient Review)
- FDA Product Registration
We recommend that you review FDA Registration Certification and FDA Process for Selling Food and Cosmetics to the US.
2. Hazmat (Hazardous Product) Logistics
Some products such as perfumes, aerosol sprays, essential oils and similar products are considered as hazardous materials (Hazmat) in air transportation. In the logistics of these products, most cargo companies may have problems with hazmat logistics. However, our partner logistics company:
- Hazmat certified transportation
- Prepares customs declarations completely
- Completes last mile delivery within the US
- Ensures the transportation of products in accordance with Amazon FBA
3. Food and Cosmetics Exports to Canada
Authorities such as Health Canada, not the FDA, are in charge of exports to Canada. However, the process is structurally similar. Our partner in Canada offers support in the following areas:
- Canada Customs Representation
- Food/Cosmetic Product Label Review
- Product Compliance Consulting for Canada
- Product transportation and FBA support for Amazon.ca
Food and Cosmetics Exports to Canada: A Compliance and Customs Guide for Turkish Exporters may be of interest to you.
4. U.S.-Canada Customs Procedures: Bond, Agent, DDP
For shipments to the USA and Canada, the customs clearance process must be carefully planned. Having your company established there allows you to pay customs costs directly.
If you do not have a company, you need to send the goods as DDP (Delivery Duty Paid). With this method, all customs duties and taxes are borne by the sender. Especially for Amazon sellers:
- In the US, customs duties are usually exempt under 800 USD, but this exemption has changed after 2025.
- In Canada, taxes are mostly charged according to the value of the shipment and the type of product.
- If necessary, a 'bond' can be obtained and exported continuously.
5. Tax and Tariff Brackets for Shipments Under $800 in the U.S.
On August 29, 2025, the tax exemption for shipments valued at less than 800 USD was suspended. The suspension applies to all countries; there is no special exception for Turkey. With two CBP interim final rules published on June 24, 2026 (Federal Register 2026-12670 and 2026-12669), the suspension became indefinite, and its legal basis is now 19 U.S.C. § 1321(b) rather than an executive order. The exemption will be removed from the statute on July 1, 2027. As part of this process, Entry Type 86 has also been eliminated, meaning the simplified declaration process used for low-value shipments is no longer available.
The rate, however, has changed. The 15 percent reciprocal tariff established at that time is no longer in effect. Executive Order 14389, dated February 20, 2026, repealed the additional ad valorem duties imposed under the IEEPA (Federal Register 2026-03832). The reciprocal tariff is no longer applied after this date. We’ve explained the current structure of the tiers and how the calculation is performed step by step in our article on U.S. customs duty calculations for Amazon sellers.
The definitive duty rate currently in effect for products originating in Turkey is 12.5 percent, imposed under Section 301 (Federal Register 2026-15181, CBP CSMS 69326983). This rate is added to the product’s normal customs duty rate; it does not replace it. The 150-day period for the 10 percent temporary additional duty under Section 122 expired on July 24, 2026; however, there is no record in primary sources indicating whether it has been extended or has ended. It is advisable to confirm the current status of this item with your customs broker.
Example: For a shipment worth 500 USD, the Section 301 tax alone amounts to 62.5 USD. The product’s own duty rate is added to this, so the total may be higher. If your company is based in the U.S., you can pay this duty directly. Otherwise, for DDP shipments, a DDP fee of 25–30€ per shipment is paid to the carrier. This can reduce profitability on small shipments.
The Section 301 ruling is based on the grounds that Turkey has not imposed an import ban on goods produced through forced labor. This does not imply that there are allegations of forced labor in Turkish production; the two are distinct issues.
Food, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and home textiles are not covered by the general exemption. Exceptions may apply on a product-by-product basis in supplementary lists, so it’s best to check your specific HTS code separately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it FDA certified?
No, the FDA does not approve products, it only manages the registration and declaration processes.
- Does Amazon require FDA registration?
In categories such as food, food supplements and cosmetics, yes, it is necessary.
- Can Hazmat products be shipped to Amazon?
Yes, correct packaging and declaration is possible in hazmat logistics.
- Does the FDA apply in Canada?
No, Health Canada is the competent authority.
- Do customs duties apply to every product?
No, it depends on product type, value and shipping method.
- Under 800 USD tax-free?
That used to be the case, but on August 29, 2025, this exemption was suspended and became permanent under the CBP regulations effective June 24, 2026. There is no exception for Turkey. The 15 percent rate specified at that time is no longer in effect; the IEEPA reciprocal tariff has not been applied since February 24, 2026. The rate currently in effect is the 12.5 percent under Section 301, and this rate is added to the product’s own customs duty. To determine the exact amount, you’ll need to look up your product’s HTS code.
