Standard set for commercial ocean shipments:

• Commercial invoice
  • Seller/buyer info;
  • Detailed product descriptions (not just “parts”);
  • HS code suggestion;
  • Unit price, total price, currency (USD recommended);
  • Trade term (FOB/CFR/CIF, etc.).
• Packing list
  • Package count and type;
  • Net/gross weight per package;
  • Volume; container number.
• Bill of Lading (seaway bill or negotiable B/L).
• Certificate of Origin (for correct duty treatment; China origin should be clear).
• Product‑specific certificates where required, e.g.:
  • Health/sanitary/phyto certificate for food, plants, some animal products;
  • MSDS for chemicals;
  • Compliance/technical specs for electrical goods.

Delays usually come from:

• Very vague descriptions (“electronic goods,” “hardware”) that don’t match HS codes;
• Invoice missing unit prices or realistic value;
• No supporting docs for sensitive products (food, chemicals, pharma, seeds, etc.).

Work with the buyer’s customs broker in Pago Pago before shipping to confirm if their customs requires any permits or extra certificates for your product.

American Samoa has its own tariff schedule and applies:

• Import duty based on HS code and CIF value;
• Possible excise or special taxes on certain goods (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, vehicles, some consumer goods).

To avoid surprises:

• Ask your buyer to have their local customs broker:
  • Confirm the HS code they will use;
  • Provide duty + any excise + local taxes for that code.
• Use that info to help the buyer pre‑calculate landed cost at CIF price you agree.

Do not guess duty with U.S. rates or assume “duty‑free because it’s a U.S. territory.” That’s a common and costly misconception.

This is a common structure, especially when the importer or their agent is in the USA:

• Scenario A – U.S. company is your buyer:

  • You ship CFR/FOB to Los Angeles (or other port).
  • The U.S. buyer acts as importer into the U.S. (pays U.S. duties + handles compliance).
  • Then they move goods as domestic freight or export to American Samoa.
  • You don’t get involved in the American Samoa side at all.

• Scenario B – Buyer is in American Samoa but uses a U.S. forwarder:

  • You deliver to a designated U.S. forwarder/warehouse.
  • They handle U.S. arrival and subsequent sea/air leg to Pago Pago, often via long‑standing contracts with island carriers.

Pros:

• Many more sailings and competitive rates to U.S. West Coast;
• Forwarder or trading company in the U.S. may handle all complexity.

Cons:

• The first leg becomes a real U.S. import (with its own duty and regulatory burdens), unless they use complex in‑bond arrangements;
• Two customs regimes instead of one, if not managed correctly.

For you as a Chinese exporter, the safest contract model is often to sell FOB/CFR to a U.S. port if the buyer chooses to route via the U.S., and let them handle everything beyond that point.

On a small, remote island with its own customs system, DDP is very hard for a Chinese exporter to manage correctly.

More practical choices:

• FOB Chinese port / CFR Pago Pago

  • You handle export and main carriage;
  • Buyer nominates forwarder or broker in Pago Pago to clear and pay duties/taxes.
  • Very common and low‑risk for you.

• CIF Pago Pago

  • Same as CFR but you also buy marine insurance.

• DAP (Delivered at Place, duties & taxes unpaid)

  • You pay for transport to a named place in American Samoa;
  • Buyer handles local customs and tax payment.
  • Only consider this if your forwarder has a reliable agent there.

• DDP (you pay everything including duties/taxes) is usually not recommended unless you:

  • Have an excellent local logistics partner with transparent pricing;
  • Fully understand American Samoa’s duty and tax regime;
  • Are ready to absorb valuation disputes and regulatory changes.

For a first few shipments, CFR or CIF Pago Pago is typically the safest.