To import fasteners to the USA from India, you match the fastener to the right ASTM or SAE grade, make sure head markings and country of origin are correct, obtain mill and test certificates, and check the current duty and trade measures with a customs broker. Fasteners are heavily checked in the US because failure can be dangerous.
This is a general guide. Federal and customer requirements change, so confirm them before you order.
Many US distributors also ask for lot-level packaging with barcodes, and they check the count in each box, so agree pack size and labelling in the order.
If you resell to contractors, ask whether your customers need Buy American or domestic-content documentation for public projects. Indian fasteners will not meet such a requirement, so know this before you bid.
Grade marking and standards
US buyers specify fasteners by standard and grade, such as ASTM or SAE, and many are particular about the markings on the head. Under federal fastener law, certain fasteners must carry a manufacturer's identification mark and a grade mark. Ask your broker or lawyer which of your products are covered.
A bolt that has the right dimensions but the wrong marking will be rejected. Read fastener grades and standards to understand the grade system, and compare with the types in bolts, nuts, studs and anchors.
Country of origin and importer duties
The importer of record is responsible for declaring origin, value and classification correctly. Fasteners are often marked with the country of origin, either on the part or on the smallest pack, depending on the product and size.
Trade measures on steel products, including some derivative goods, have changed more than once in recent years. Check the current position with your broker for each fastener type before you quote your customer.
Test certificates and traceability
US customers, especially in construction and automotive, ask for mill test reports for the steel and lot test reports for the finished fasteners. The tests include tensile strength, hardness and sometimes proof load. Read reading a laboratory certificate to see what to check.
Ask the manufacturer to keep the steel batch traceable through forging, heat treatment and plating. If the supplier cannot identify the steel source, you cannot defend the lot if it fails.
Coating and corrosion
Coatings are often the cause of complaints. Zinc plating, hot-dip galvanising and other finishes have thickness and salt-spray requirements. Ask for the coating specification in the order and test results in the pack.
High-strength bolts can suffer hydrogen embrittlement if plated incorrectly. A supplier who knows this and bakes parts after plating is a better bet than one who has not heard of it.
Packing deserves attention too. Fasteners are heavy, so boxes split. Agree carton strength, pallet size and strapping, and ask for photographs of loaded pallets before the container is sealed.
Next step
We find and audit fastener makers, check samples and certificates, have lots tested, and supervise loading. Book a free sourcing review with your standards and quantities, and we will say what a US-ready supplier needs to show.