I am an American citizen temporarily residing in Bulgaria. I am
contemplating shipping a 20' container packed with Bulgarian
(high-fired) ceramic pottery, mostly bowls and caseroles for food
preparation, from Varna, Bulgaria, to Baltimore, Maryland. I am
communicating with a well-reputed shipping firm that seems very well
qualified to handle all permits, customs, packing, shipping, and
everything else associated with the transportation of containers to
the US. This company has had many years of successful service in the
shipping business. Their ships hold 10,000 twenty foot containers per
load and arrive in Baltimore every twenty days from world-wide ports.
The company representative suggests that the shipment in which I'm
interested is just a matter of doing their regular business and that
there is nothing to worry about. In fact, they state that payment in
full can be made to them once the container reaches Baltimore and I go
to retrieve it.
Questions: Must I have a license to import that amount of ceramic
ware? (for personal use, for gifts, for re-sale at galleries & flea
markets, for presentation to retailers as a possible future addition
to their inventory, etc.) Probably amount to approximately $5,000
worth.
Exactly what permits must I acquire?
Must the ceramic glazes for eating vessels be proven to be
chemically safe (do not leech harmful oxides)? If so, how
accomplished? Pottery manufacturers certify they are.
Would I be charged any customs or importation fees? If so, to what amount?
Just what do I need to accomplish this task? What should I know,
and do, and anticipate to make this go as smoothly as the shipping
company presents? (I ask for details.) |
