If you are planning to start a business importing items into the USA, I suggest you read the following US Bureau of Custom’s papers

• Importing into the United States: A Practical Guide for Commercial Importers — this is a 200-page document that tells you the eligible items you can import and the invoices required, among other things
• How Cargo Flows Securely into the US
• US Embassy (look at the last page as it has a good link of websites for additional info)

Other websites worth checking are:

• CMTAC Trade Information Database http://latrade.cmtac.org/trade_info/index.cfm
• Dont’s of Importing http://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1277.asp
• Flowchart of the export process http://www.export.gov/exportbasics/index.asp
• Going Global http://www.going-global.com/articles/

These trade association websites also have loads of information on how to start an export import business:

• Federation of International Trade Association http://fita.org/index.html
• Professional Association of Exporters and Importers http://www.paei.org/

You may also want to check out the following books:

– Import/Export: How to Get Started in International Trade
– Exporting, Importing, and Beyond : How to ‘Go Global’ With Your Small Business
– Selling to the World: Your Fast and Easy Guide to Exporting and Importing
– Start and Run a Profitable Exporting Business
– Start Your Own Import/Export Business