Buy from the United States: Product Sourcing and Export Procurement Guide

Buying from the United States starts with the product, intended use and receiving market. Wigmore Trading can assess a supplier-search, procurement or logistics enquiry when the requirement is clear. US dispatch does not by itself establish US manufacture, product eligibility or a confirmed supply relationship.

Choose a guide for the product you need

Use the directory below to build a specification and identify the supporting evidence to request. Each guide covers related purchasing requirements while keeping individual grades, models and regulated applications distinct. A product appearing in a guide is not a stock listing or a binding offer.

• Engines, Turbines and Transmissions
• Industrial Chemicals and Processing Ingredients
• Industrial, Agricultural and Construction Machinery
• Electronics, Computers and Telecom Equipment
• Electrical Equipment, Motors and Batteries
• Industrial Minerals, Ores and Recycling Materials
• Pharmaceutical and Biological Products
• Measuring, Surveying and Laboratory Instruments
• Paints, Adhesives, Cleaning Products and Lubricants
• Plastics, Resins and Rubber Materials
• Furniture, Appliances and Consumer Goods
• Steel, Copper, Aluminium and Fabricated Metal Products
• Cars, Trucks, Buses and Motorcycle Parts
• Precious Metals, Stones and Jewellery
• Medical Devices, Dental and Laboratory Supplies
• Civil Aviation, Marine and Rail Equipment
• Energy Commodities and Industrial Fuels
• Packaged Foods, Beverages and Vegetable Oils
• Cotton, Textiles, Apparel and Technical Fabrics
• Wood, Paper and Packaging Materials
• Grains, Produce, Nuts and Planting Seeds
• Meat, Seafood, Dairy and Livestock Products
• Beauty, Haircare, Perfume and Shaving Products
• Fertilisers and Crop-Protection Products
• Animal Feed and Animal-Derived Industrial Materials

Turn a product idea into a comparable enquiry

Identify the manufacturer or model where known, technical specification, quantity, destination, intended use and required arrival date. Explain whether you are buying for resale, production, a replacement part or a new installation. Include drawings or an existing catalogue reference when it will prevent an unsuitable substitution.

Ask suppliers to identify actual origin, condition and any proposed alternative. For used equipment, establish an inspection and acceptance process. For production inputs, define batch evidence and sample approval. For branded goods, check authenticity, lawful distribution and destination presentation before requesting a commercial order.

Compare the delivered scope

Separate the product price from collection, export preparation, inspections, freight, insurance, destination charges, duties, storage and final delivery. Ask for the named delivery point, currency, quote validity, payment milestones and handling of non-conforming goods. If commissioning, training or certification is required, specify it explicitly rather than assuming it is included.

Resolve export and import requirements

The exact item, destination, parties and end use determine the assessment required. The International Trade Administration’s export-licence overview explains why classification alone is not the whole decision. Use the official Consolidated Screening List and appropriate specialist checks for a proposed transaction.

Coordinate destination acceptance with the appointed importer before committing funds. Medicines, food, plant products, chemicals, used goods and transport equipment should follow their product-specific pathway. Nuclear items, weapons, ammunition and tobacco are outside this directory.

Prepare cargo details early

Ask the supplier for packed dimensions, weights, handling conditions and a proposed collection date. Tell the forwarder about batteries, liquids, temperature sensitivity and other special characteristics. Use the US commercial shipping guide to choose the next planning step. For a different sourcing market, see the Japan sourcing directory.

Reviewed 1 November 2026. Images illustrate trade logistics and do not establish stock availability.