The wholesale of optical frames is a very profitable business that will supply retailers with a wide variety of styles and materials at prices competing in the market. But, diving into the import rules could be complicated, and this business has some difficulty tied around it, knowing these regulations is essential to make sure you are compliant which will keep you out of trouble legally and make the import process straightforward. This blog gives a detailed manual on understanding those regulations to ease the navigation of compliance issues for imported wholesale optical frames.
Regulation on Tariffs
The most important step to be taken when bringing in optical frames is learning about the tariffs and duties. Tariffs are fees charged on incoming products, dependent on their origin nation and specific product type. The value-based import duties are determined through HTS where the rates are provided as well.
Meeting the Quality Standards
There are specific quality standards and regulations for eyewear that are meant to ensure consumer safety and product reliability. In the United States, optical frames fall under the FDA regulation as medical devices— hence domestic frames have to be impact resistant in compliance with the FDA standards for medical devices. Imported frames must also meet these standards along with those related to lens safety and proper labeling. The European Union also has its own set of stringent regulations through the CE marking system— any optical frame destined for sale within EU markets must satisfy requirements on safety, health, and environmental protection.
Partner with a Reliable Supplier
Establish good connections with reliable suppliers for the imported frames in quality and conformity. Some due diligence should be conducted; which should be comprehensive, that is visiting suppliers, inspecting their manufacturing process, and verifying their certifications. Reliable suppliers are already aware of the international standards and regulations plus they can provide necessary documentation to assist in the importation process. This includes details about their facility: location and size, pictures showing production lines and equipment with capacity levels as well as staff composition ratios (engineers versus operators), copies of quality control procedures being followed at production sites along with any third-party audit reports or certificates obtained so far.
