Furniture, Appliances and Consumer Goods from the United States: Export Buying Guide

Buying furniture, appliances and consumer goods from the United States starts with a clear specification and an identified receiving market. Wigmore Trading can assess a sourcing or logistics brief and clarify what is needed for a written offer. A guide or product list is not confirmation of stock, supplier appointment or approval to trade a particular item.

Define the requirement before requesting prices

Build a stock list with models, variants, quantities and target customer. Furniture needs dimensions, materials, finish and assembly information. Appliances need destination-compatible power, capacity and service arrangements. Sports goods, toys, games, bags and stationery should be specified by their actual use, age group where relevant and retail presentation.

Approve a sample and the packaging

Confirm that the sample reflects the planned commercial product. Record carton size, units per carton, protective packing, labels and assembly parts. For appliances, check available spares and warranty support in the destination market. For toys and sports products, establish the safety evidence required for the intended customer and use; a supplier statement alone may not answer the importer’s requirements.

Products to distinguish in your enquiry

The following are separate specification lines. Identify the exact product, grade or model and intended use rather than requesting an undifferentiated mixed shipment.

• Paintings
• Seats
• Air Conditioners
• Refrigerators
• Other Furniture
• Sports Equipment
• Video and Card Games
• Electric Heaters
• Glass Mirrors
• Light Fixtures
• Other toys
• Other Domestic Electric Housewares
• Sculptures
• Trunks and Cases
• Plastic Housewares
• Vacuum Cleaners
• Developed Exposed Photographic Material
• Iron Stovetops
• Photographic Film

Separate artworks from ordinary retail inventory

For paintings, sculptures and collectible photographic materials, request provenance, ownership evidence, condition reports and a packing plan appropriate to the object. Do not assume art can travel under the same documentation as household supplies. Compare the landed cost per saleable unit, including fragile handling, storage, final delivery and likely damage or returns.

Compare the full commercial scope

Ask each supplier to quote the same specification, quantity, condition, packing basis and named delivery point. List the currency, quote validity, inspection scope, payment milestones and treatment of non-conforming goods. Request actual packed dimensions and gross weights before comparing freight options.

Keep product price separate from collection, export preparation, freight, insurance, destination charges, duties, storage and final delivery. Identify the party responsible for each stage. Do not pay for a shipment whose destination acceptance or essential technical specification is still unresolved.

Prepare a sourcing brief

Send the specification or catalogue reference, quantity and expected repeat demand, receiving location, required date and any supporting drawings or quality requirements. Say whether the enquiry is for an approved replacement, a new production input or resale. Ask for the manufacturer and origin to be identified; a source-country dispatch address alone does not establish origin.

Use the US sourcing directory to compare related product guides, or the US commercial shipping guide when preparing cargo details.

Reviewed 1 November 2026. Gallery images illustrate procurement and logistics; they do not identify offered stock.