Foil and packaging is a major aluminium market in the US. Household foil rolls, take-away containers, baking trays and lids sell through food-service distributors, grocery chains and online. For Southeast Asian converters, the product is simple. The trade rules and the economics of light, bulky cargo are not.
Food-contact compliance
- Products that touch food must comply with US FDA food-contact requirements. Keep composition data and test reports for coatings, lacquers and lid materials.
- Retail packs need country-of-origin marking on the consumer packaging — see origin marking rules.
- Some food-service buyers also ask for food-safety certificates for the converting plant.
Trade remedies: the biggest risk
The US has had AD/CVD orders on aluminium foil from China since 2018. Commerce has examined foil completed in other Asian countries from Chinese foil stock in circumvention inquiries. If your rolls or containers are made from imported foil stock, you need to know where it was rolled, and where the aluminium was smelted and cast, and be able to prove it. See origin and circumvention and AD/CVD basics.
Classification and duty
Foil up to 0.2 mm thick falls under heading 7607. Containers, trays and kitchen articles are usually classified elsewhere in Chapter 76, often 7615 or 7612, depending on the design. Section 232 applies to many of these on full value. Confirm the code before quoting — see alloy and HTS guide.
Shipping light, bulky cargo
- Nested containers and trays fill a container by volume long before weight. A 40' high-cube usually gives the best cost per unit.
- Design cartons for stacking strength. Crushed corners are the most common damage claim.
- Keep cartons dry. Moisture weakens cartons and can mark foil surfaces.
DDP to distributors and Amazon
Distributors buy on a delivered price and expect pallets built to their warehouse rules. Online sellers need FBA-compliant labels — see aluminium goods on Amazon. A DDP quote per pallet or per case helps buyers compare you with domestic converters.
Related: US food-related export rules · FCL vs LCL.