Importers must be prepared to demonstrate that the material qualifies as industrial hemp under federal law, including evidence that THC concentration in the plant material does not exceed the legal threshold. CBP may require certificates of analysis, phytosanitary certificates, and documentation of the growing program or origin. Consulting a customs broker with experience in hemp fiber imports is strongly recommended before the first shipment.

As with flax, water retting produces cleaner, finer hemp fiber suited to textile applications, while dew or field retting yields coarser fiber more appropriate for rope, geotextile, or composite uses. The retting method does not change the classification of the fiber as 'raw or retted,' but it is a key quality specification that should be confirmed in supplier contracts.