Most agricultural imports require a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. Depending on the commodity, additional documents may include a phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country's national plant protection organization, an import permit from USDA APHIS, and FDA prior notice for food products.

Tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) allow a specified volume of a commodity to enter at a lower in-quota duty rate; imports above that threshold face a higher over-quota rate. TRQ administration varies by product — some are managed on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require licenses — so importers should confirm quota status before finalizing purchase contracts.