Since 2013, we have been a facilitator in international trade, importing quality standard and OEM fasteners into the United States.

Our contribution has bolstered various sectors, including automotive, construction, furniture manufacturing, electronics, marine, renewable energy, agricultural machinery, railways, telecommunications, aerospace, medical device, and dental implants.

We source for the industrial and manufacturing sectors in the United States.

Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction sets us apart as a trusted partner for sourcing, importing, and coordinating the delivery of fasteners tailored to the unique requirements of each sector.

Management

U.S. Fastener Import & Trading Company was founded by Vivian Chen. Growing up in Southern California and studying business at Cal State Long Beach, she got an insider’s view of international trade routes — rumbling freight trains, long lines of big rigs, and the sight of cargo ships.

Throughout her time at Cal State Long Beach, Vivian had searched for opportunities to start her own business but did not find anything suitable. It wasn’t until 2012 when a family friend was visiting from Taiwan to attend the National Industrial Fastener & Mill Supply Expo in Las Vegas (now known as International Fastener Expo) and encouraged her to look into the fastener industry.

Vivian launched U.S. Fastener Import & Trading Company in 2013 to source and import fasteners for American manufacturers and distributors. Shortly after the launch, the business received an inquiry from a Fastenal branch manager in Kentucky. After weeks of back-and-forth, the business received its first order: 10,000 oversized step bolts. The order arrived at the Port of Long Beach and was successfully delivered to Fastenal’s distribution center in Anaheim, California. The branch manager was later promoted to district manager and referred colleagues to inquire with U.S. Fastener.

Vivian continues to educate herself about fasteners while building the trading company, completing courses from Fastener Training Institute. Since launching U.S. Fastener in 2013, the company has worked with customers in a variety of industries and established relationships with suppliers domestically and worldwide. 

Where We Source & Import From

As a fastener importer based in Los Angeles, we pride ourselves on our extensive and established relationships with some of the finest fastener manufacturers throughout Asia. In particular, Taiwan has been a cornerstone of our supply chain, where we've forged strong ties with renowned manufacturers over the years.

Our hands-on approach to partnership involves regular visits, rigorous quality checks, and a mutual commitment to excellence. This ensures that our customers receive only the best in quality and reliability. Our steadfast collaborations in the region not only reflect our dedication to sourcing top-notch products but also our commitment to fostering global connections that stand the test of time.

  • Taiwan is renowned for producing a variety of high-quality fasteners. Taiwan's fastener industry is versatile and caters to a wide array of industries worldwide. Here are some of the types of fasteners that Taiwan specializes in producing and the industries where they're most commonly used:

    Screws: This includes a wide range of screws such as machine screws, wood screws, self-tapping screws, and more. These are used in a broad array of industries, including construction, furniture manufacturing, electronics, and automotive.

    Bolts: This includes hex bolts, carriage bolts, flange bolts, etc. Bolts are used extensively in industries such as construction, automotive, and heavy machinery.

    Nuts: From hex nuts to lock nuts and flange nuts, these are used in combination with bolts in virtually all industries that require fasteners.

    Rivets: Rivets are typically used in industries where high-strength joins are necessary. This includes aerospace, automotive, and construction.

    Washers: These are used in combination with screws and bolts to distribute load and prevent damage. They are used across all industries that use fasteners.

    Specialty Fasteners: Taiwan also produces a variety of specialized fasteners, designed for specific applications in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and high-tech manufacturing. This includes everything from specialized automotive fasteners to tiny, precision fasteners for electronics.

    Anchors: Used in construction and masonry to secure structures to concrete, brick, or other hard materials.

    Pins: These include dowel pins, spring pins, and cotter pins used in machinery, automotive and other industrial applications.

  • Vietnam is increasingly gaining recognition for its production of a wide range of high-quality fasteners. The fastener industry in Vietnam is versatile and supplies to diverse sectors worldwide. Here are some of the types of fasteners that Vietnam excels in producing and the industries where they're most commonly used:

    Screws: This encompasses an extensive range of screws such as machine screws, wood screws, self-drilling screws, and more. These are utilized in numerous industries, including construction, furniture manufacturing, electronics, and automotive.

    Bolts: This category includes hex bolts, carriage bolts, structural bolts, and more. Bolts are extensively used in sectors like construction, automotive, and heavy machinery.

    Nuts: From hex nuts to wing nuts and lock nuts, these are used in conjunction with bolts in virtually all industries that require fasteners.

    Rivets: Rivets are commonly used in sectors where durable joints are critical. This includes industries like automotive, construction, and shipbuilding.

    Washers: These are used in combination with screws and bolts to distribute load and prevent damage. They find application across all industries that use fasteners.

    Specialty Fasteners: Vietnam also excels in the production of various specialized fasteners, designed for specific applications in industries like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and high-tech manufacturing. This includes everything from specialized automotive fasteners to tiny, precision fasteners for electronics.

    Anchors: These are used in the construction industry to secure structures to concrete, brick, or other hard materials.

    Pins: This encompasses dowel pins, spring pins, and cotter pins that find wide applications in machinery, automotive, and other industrial settings.

    Vietnam's strategic location, cost-effective labor, and rapidly developing infrastructure make it an ideal source for importing fasteners. Furthermore, the Vietnamese government's commitment to improving the industrial sector and maintaining a business-friendly environment is evident in the growth and quality of its fastener industry. Therefore, sourcing and importing fasteners from Vietnam is a compelling option for businesses worldwide.

  • Japan is known for its high-quality manufacturing and precision engineering:

    Automotive Fasteners: The Japanese automotive industry is a major consumer of fasteners, and Japanese manufacturers produce a range of products designed for automotive applications.

    Electronics Fasteners: Japan has a strong electronics industry, which requires a range of specialized fasteners. This includes everything from tiny screws for smartphones to larger fasteners for home appliances.

    Aerospace Fasteners: Japanese manufacturers also produce high-quality fasteners for aerospace applications.

    Precision Fasteners: Japanese manufacturers are known for producing highly precise, high-quality fasteners for a range of applications.

  • Germany is distinguished for its precision-engineered and high-quality fasteners, reflecting the country's longstanding reputation in manufacturing excellence. The German fastener industry is characterized by its focus on innovation, quality, and reliability, catering to demanding industries worldwide. Here are the types of fasteners Germany excels in producing and the industries they are primarily used in:

    Screws: Germany offers a sophisticated array of screws, including precision machine screws, wood screws, self-tapping screws, and security screws. These are employed in various sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and high-end electronics, where quality and precision are paramount.

    Bolts: The production of bolts in Germany includes specialized items like high-strength structural bolts, eye bolts, and wheel bolts, serving industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and heavy machinery with a focus on safety and durability.

    Nuts: With a production range that includes precision lock nuts, self-locking nuts, and coupling nuts, German fasteners are integral to applications requiring high precision and strength, utilized across automotive, machinery, wind energy, and aerospace sectors.

    Rivets: German-engineered rivets are designed for applications where durability and strength are critical. These include solid rivets, blind rivets, and multi-grip rivets, widely used in aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery manufacturing.

    Washers: Germany produces high-quality washers, such as flat washers, Belleville washers, and conical washers, designed to distribute load, reduce vibration, and prevent loosening in critical applications across all industries utilizing fasteners.

    Specialty Fasteners: Reflecting Germany's innovation in engineering, specialty fasteners are developed for specific, challenging applications in industries like renewable energy, medical devices, automotive, and aerospace. This includes fasteners for wind turbines, surgical implants, and lightweight construction in automotive and aerospace engineering.

    Anchors: German anchors, including chemical anchors, mechanical anchors, and wall plugs, are designed for high-performance in construction and engineering projects, ensuring secure fastening in concrete, masonry, and stone.

    Pins: Including precision dowel pins, clevis pins, and grooved pins, German pins are essential for mechanical assemblies where high accuracy and strength are necessary, used in automotive, machinery, and aerospace applications.

    Germany's fastener industry is renowned for its commitment to quality, precision, and engineering innovation, serving as a cornerstone in the global supply chain for industries that demand the highest standards in fastening solutions.

  • Mexico is a key player in the manufacturing sector, with a burgeoning fastener industry that serves numerous industries both domestically and internationally. Here's an overview of the types of fasteners Mexico is known for producing and the industries where they are primarily utilized:

    Screws: Mexico's fastener industry produces a diverse range of screws, including machine screws, wood screws, self-tapping screws, and more. These screws are crucial in various sectors, such as automotive, construction, electronics, and furniture manufacturing, reflecting the industry's versatility and wide-reaching impact.

    Bolts: The country manufactures a variety of bolts, including hex bolts, carriage bolts, and flange bolts. These bolts are integral to the construction, automotive, and heavy machinery industries, showcasing Mexico's capability to cater to the needs of large-scale industrial projects.

    Nuts: Mexico produces an extensive selection of nuts, such as hex nuts, lock nuts, and flange nuts, which are used across all industries that require robust fastening solutions. This highlights the country's ability to supply essential components for a multitude of applications.

    Rivets: The Mexican fastener industry provides rivets for industries where durable joins are crucial, including aerospace, automotive, and construction. This underlines Mexico's role in supporting industries that demand high-strength fastening solutions.

    Washers: Utilized alongside screws and bolts, washers made in Mexico are designed to distribute load and prevent damage, serving a critical function in virtually every industry that employs fasteners.

    Specialty Fasteners: Catering to specific needs, Mexico excels in the production of specialized fasteners for the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and high-tech manufacturing sectors. This includes a range of custom-designed fasteners for particular applications, demonstrating Mexico's innovative capabilities in fastener manufacturing.

    Anchors: The industry also produces anchors for construction and masonry, ensuring secure attachment to concrete, brick, or other hard materials. This is indicative of Mexico's contribution to the construction sector with reliable fastening products.

    Pins: Including dowel pins, spring pins, and cotter pins, these are manufactured for use in machinery, automotive, and other industrial applications, highlighting Mexico's ability to produce essential components for a variety of industrial uses.

    Through its commitment to quality and innovation, Mexico's fastener industry has established itself as a vital contributor to the global supply chain, providing high-quality fasteners to meet the diverse needs of various industries around the world.

Why purchase imported fasteners instead of those manufactured domestically?

  1. Cost Efficiency: Many countries, particularly those in Asia, can produce high-quality fasteners at a lower cost due to less expensive labor, lower costs of raw materials, and sometimes more favorable regulations. Global sourcing provides an opportunity for companies to take advantage of these cost differences and save money, which can be crucial in a competitive market.

  2. Scalability and Supply Chain Diversity: Importing fasteners also offers scalability and allows for a more diverse supply chain. By sourcing globally, a company can tap into a wider network of suppliers, which can help mitigate risk if there are disruptions with a domestic supplier.

  3. Product Quality: While cost savings is important, maintaining product quality is paramount. To ensure product quality, our company conducts onsite manufacturer visits and has established long-term relationships with producers. This allows us to scrutinize the manufacturing process, inspect the quality of raw materials used, and ensure that the manufacturing practices align with our standards. It is our standard practice to require sample approval before mass production.

  4. Quality Assurance Mechanisms: The overseas manufacturers and exporters we work with are ISO 9001 certified and offer Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Level 3 and laser sorting, aiming to meet quality levels and reduce defects to below 25 parts per million (ppm). This means that the potential for defective parts is very low, ensuring the highest quality standards for fastener production. PPAP Level 3 is a globally recognized standard that includes product samples and complete supporting documentation, ensuring that the producer has understood all design specifications and can meet the production process requirements consistently.

By balancing these factors, American distributors and manufacturers can reap the benefits of global sourcing while ensuring that the fasteners they purchase meet the highest standards of quality.

10 Economic Factors That Affect Pricing

Fasteners might seem like mere nuts, bolts, and screws to most, but their import to the U.S. represents a vast and multifaceted business sector. From household repairs to mega-infrastructure projects, these tiny elements play a pivotal role in holding our world together. The price of importing these fasteners is influenced by various economic factors, both global and domestic.

  1. Demand and Supply

  2. Production Costs in Exporting Countries

  3. Tariffs and Trade Policies

  4. Transportation and Logistics

  5. Currency Exchange Rates

  6. Quality and Standards

  7. Domestic Production vs. Importing

  8. Geopolitical Factors

  9. Environmental and Ethical Considerations

  10. Inventory Holding Costs