HOW TO SET UP AN IMPORT EXPORT COMPANY IN THE US

LekshmiGPilllai · May 22, 2025

Thank you for the insightful breakdown on setting up an import-export business in the U.S.
The clarification on whether forming a company is even necessary at early stages is especially helpful—many overlook that step in the excitement of entering a new market. The practical advice on location and the rationale behind incorporating in Delaware versus the operational state was also valuable.

Looking forward to more detailed discussions on licensing, customs procedures, and how to find reliable U.S. distributors or partne
rs.

Dhruv Bindhani · Jun 25, 2025

DigitizeBrand said:
Today’s presentation is on How to Set Up an Import Export Company in the U.S., so if you want a piece of the $4.9 trillion of trade the U.S. does each year, you’re in the right place.

import export course is joined online today by YYichen Ma from our Marketing Team. Yichen will be handling the Q & A today, speaking of which we’ve had lots of questions already and we’ll answer as many as we can during this webinar.

If you have any questions as we go, please click on the Q&A button on your screen. And before you ask, yes, a recording of the webinar will be made available afterwards. Right. I know you’re keen to learn the Ins and Outs, so over to you.

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?

Now, to get started, the first thing we’re going to talk about is whether you do even need to set up a U.S. company at all? It may sound odd for someone from the company formation industry to suggest you might not need a company, but you know it’s better for you to think about this now than further down the road after you’ve invested a lot of time for that reason.

And actually the key thing is, how big is your import export course in delhi company going to be? Will it be big enough to justify all the overhead of maintaining a company as well as trying to support a business in another country? So will you be earning enough based on what you think you’ll be able to sell?

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

So let’s worry about where you’re going to physically locate your business, assuming that you’re going to be setting it up physically within the United States. So you have the choice of 50 states. Two are missing from this map, but chances are if you’re importing, you’re going to be in the continental United States.

So that’s going to be a lot of decisions to make. And at the end of day, a friend of mine is a location consultant and he likes to point out that, you know, we can provide a lot of data, but it’s really what the client wants that’s going to determine it.

Some people like warm weather and want to be in Florida, some people like the culture that you will get in New York City. Some people like the laid back atmosphere of California. Some people like the Wild West, or going to Texas. So you never know.

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION

Next step is to cross into that second box from before. Do you want to be incorporated in the same state that you just picked or pick another state, which usually ends up being Delaware.

Would that be better for you? It’s going to cost you more, no question about it, if you incorporate in a different state

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.

This content provides guidance on establishing an import-export company in the U.S., emphasizing that the U.S. engages in trillions of dollars in trade annually (noting $4.9 trillion, though recent data indicates higher figures, e.g., over $7 trillion in 2022).

Key considerations include:

Necessity of a U.S. Company: It's important to assess if a U.S. company is even needed, especially for smaller operations (under $50,000/year revenue), where working with distributors or consignment dealers might be more efficient to avoid overhead.
Requirements: Setting up a U.S. business involves several steps beyond just company formation.
Choosing a Location: Selecting a physical location in one of the 50 states is a personal choice influenced by factors like climate, culture (e.g., Florida for warm weather, New York City for culture, California for a laid-back atmosphere, Texas for "Wild West").
Incorporation State: After choosing a physical location, deciding whether to incorporate in that same state or a different one (often Delaware) is the next step. Incorporating in a different state generally costs more.
Reasons for Delaware Incorporation: Delaware is often preferred by venture capitalists and large angel investors due to its business-friendly legal system and extensive corporate case law, which offers predictability and certainty in corporate disputes. It also provides privacy benefits regarding the disclosure of directors' and officers' names and potential tax advantages for companies not conducting business within the state.

HOW TO SET UP AN IMPORT EXPORT COMPANY IN THE US

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.

LekshmiGPilllai

Member

Dhruv Bindhani

Active member

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.

HOW TO SET UP AN IMPORT EXPORT COMPANY IN THE US

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?​

​

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.​

​

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA​

​

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.​

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.​

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS​

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION​

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE​

​

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.​

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.​

LekshmiGPilllai

Member

Dhruv Bindhani

Active member

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?​

​

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.​

​

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA​

​

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.​

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.​

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS​

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION​

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE​

​

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.​

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.​

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.

DO EVEN NEED TO SET UP A U.S. COMPANY AT ALL?

If the amount is below, let’s say $50,000 per year, you may not have enough to make it worthwhile. In that case, you can work with a distributor, or work with consignment dealers, or there’s different arrangements so you could make so you don’t go through all the overhead.

REQUIREMENTS TO SET UP A BUSINESS IN THE USA

So, assuming that the answer after getting through the scary first part here, assuming that you still want to go, this is a summary of the requirements that you’ll have to go through to set up a business.

First, you set up the company, but then you’ll have to set up the rest of the processes and procedures of generating business and getting going. So we’re going to go through the steps, of which the first one of course, is location.

CHOOSING A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR LOCATION

WHY TO INCORPORATE IN ANOTHER STATE

So at the end of day, over the years, these are the main reasons that people don’t incorporate in the same state where they are located.

You know, if you’re looking to get venture capital then chances are the venture capitalists and a quite a few large angel investors, they want you to be in Delaware. We’re going to Delaware’s benefits shortly, but that’s just the way it is.