Acquire necessary permits and licenses - China Goods Importation Tutorial

Work with your customs broker to identify which licenses and permits you will need, if any. Apply for them through the appropriate US government channels and wait for your application to be accepted before placing an import order.

You will need a specialized license to import items that fall under certain categories, such as food products, plants, animal products, prescription medication, trademarked items (brand name or designer goods), and copyrighted items (CDs, DVDs, etc.).
The specific licenses needed for each good may come from different government agencies. You can find which licenses you need by visiting the US Customs and Border Patrol's website and searching for licenses and permits.