In general, all articles of foreign origin, including chain, imported into the United States must be legibly and conspicuously marked to indicate the English name of the country of origin to the ultimate purchaser in the United States. If imported chain ordinarily reaches the ultimate purchaser in packaged form, the country of origin of the chain must generally be marked on the outermost container or holder.

If you sell or import foreign made chain, be aware of these restrictions:

–Chain made in a foreign country must be marked with its country of origin by a permanent means - such as die-stamping or metal tags attached to the chain at 6 to 10 foot intervals or less - so that the ultimate user will know where the product came from.

–It is a criminal offense for any person to remove or tamper with origin markings.  Penalties of up to $100,000 and/or imprisonment for one year may be imposed on conviction if any person (including retailer, distributor, or importer) “defaces, destroys, removes, alters, covers, obscures, or obliterates” a required country of origin marking with the intent to conceal such information.

–Unless imported chain is lawfully marked, its delivery is prohibited.  Improperly marked chain will be detained in the custody of the U.S. Customs Service until it is either destroyed, exported, or properly marked under Customs’ supervision.  Special marking duties may be imposed.

–In addition, Customs also has authority to impound previously released foreign chain that is not legally marked, and to require its destruction, exportation, or proper marking.

Robert A. Reinfried
Executive Director
American Chain Association
6724 Lone Oak Blvd.
Naples, Florida 34109
239-514-3441 

And to the

Commissioner
U.S. Customs Service
1301 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20029