Keeping up with your customs and border protections can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the world of foreign trade. But you’re not alone, even if experienced professionals within the industry are constantly reviewing their knowledge and how to keep up with them.
To help you get started, you can use the following tips as a guide to ensure your compliance with US customs.
Know your product
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s a good place to start when it comes to being consistent and knowledgeable about the products you plan to import. For example, some questions to consider when choosing import products are:
- Are the goods subject to any regulations by government partners?
- Are there any free trade agreements in place that these goods fall under?
- Are the goods likely to be subject to anti-dumping/disposal?
- Is forced labor used in the production of this product?
Make sure you are using the correct HTSUS
Misclassification is a very common problem for importers and can result in a company owing more money to US customs if the fee is deducted. While importers often rely on their US importer to classify their goods with the correct HTSUS code, you should be sure to review the meaning of that code within the Consolidated Tax Schedule.
Ultimately, the importer importing goods into the US is responsible for classifying their goods properly and is responsible for any penalties arising from mishandling. You can ask for a Binding Decision From America If you are not sure how an item should be classified.
Vet your supplier
Before choosing an overseas supplier, you should carefully plan that supplier’s business. You should also request samples of your goods before importing.
Anti-Dumping / Countervaling can also be a direct trigger, so be sure to check ahead of time if this is the case with your chosen Sublider. If that provider charges less than its competition in its home country, antidumping and/or anti-dumping may be the reason.
Label the appropriate country
Be sure to use the appropriate label when declaring the country of origin of your goods. Remember, this is the country where the goods are made, grown, or produced and not the country you are importing directly from. If you are importing goods from a supplier in India, but the goods for sale were originally manufactured in China, the country of origin is China.
Keep records that prove you used reasonable care
Keeping records of your entry into the US can be very helpful if and when US customs require additional documentation for part of your importation. The general recommendation is to keep documents on file for at least 5 years, but, if possible, the company should establish a system to keep at least a summary of the entries on file forever.
Records kept on file must demonstrate that your company has exercised reasonable care in its dealings with US customs. Reasonable care is not defined specifically by CBP because ultimately it is more important to them what reasonable care is in a particular situation. This is why it is best for the importer to maintain their own records and not rely on an external service provider for record keeping.
Have a written compliance plan to import
Having a legal import compliance program defined by your company will help ensure that your internal team works as a unit and is aware of the risks associated with importing into the United States. Conducting a meaningful risk analysis should be part of this process, and the appropriate senior management to oversee the compliance program within your company should be involved.
Make sure your address is always up to date
Notices from US customs are sent to your company via the US postal service. Therefore, having the correct address on file with customs ensures that you will receive any communications CBP sends regarding your entry. Also, if a piece of mail is returned to CBP because your address is incorrect, they will deem your bond insufficient, preventing you from making any entries until this is corrected.
Clearly indicate the internal load
At some point during your import journey, you will receive letters from CBP regarding an entry you made or a claim issued. It is important to have a process in place to figure out how to manage this and, perhaps most importantly, who is responsible for managing these indicators within your company.
Notices from CBP are generally addressed to the company as a whole and do not include the person whose name is at the address. This can lead to important notifications getting lost in the mailroom or on someone else’s desk if it’s not clear who should receive it inside.
Respond to Customs letters promptly
If you receive a CF-28, CF-29, or any claim on your US customs balance, you must act immediately. It can take time to communicate with CBP so getting the process started early will help ensure you stay compliant and practice can cost your company money in the long run.
Be responsible for US customs in a place with sufficient bond funds
To have US enough of US culture In the file is a necessary part of the import process. If your bond is deemed insufficient by CBP, they will give you a limited time to post a bond with a sufficient amount of bond before completely banning you from importing if this requirement is not met.
The best way to ensure that you meet this requirement is to work with the bond provider That clearly communicates the bond and tracks your bond satisfaction over time. Monitoring your bond satisfaction throughout the year can help you avoid the stress of finding a physical book.
Source link
