My friend and I are considering a small US-Serbia import-export business. How should we proceed?

You should contact U.S. Customs in your city, a customs broker who can handle your merchandise as clearing it yourself is far more complicated then you will expect and a forward who can handle your business. Do not go with the first company you find as bigger is not always better. They will forget about the little man. Profitability is by doing your homework and understanding each charge you are being charged for. Some Customs Brokers charge per line classification, FDA, USDA, you cannot ignore duties and taxes as those definitely have to be paid. Go to www.uscustoms.gov or give them the commodity you are considering importing/ exporting they will provide you with the classfication and the duty rate.