Analyst Insight: The global trade landscape is constantly evolving and, when it comes to moving materials through U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the last thing shippers need is confusion or delays.

By following the Customs checklist, you can maximize compliance, minimize risk, and maintain a smooth and efficient workflow.

Ensure names and addresses on file are updated. Always confirming accuracy of the information listed on CBP Form 5106 is a good practice. It can help ensure you don’t run into any hassles, or miss time-sensitive information or correspondence.

Verify customs broker instructions. Routinely verify that the instructions being sent to all brokers are accurate and up to date.

Assess your customs brokers’ powers of attorney. Regularly assessing the powers of attorney that you’ve given to your customs brokers, and revoking the POAs of brokers you no longer work with, sheds unnecessary paperwork and reduces confusion.

Check your bond amount. Your activity over the last 12 months tells an important tale, making sure that your bond amount is sufficient. Recent changes in import activity or anticipating a future increase could alter this amount.

Request updated certificates of origin. Keeping certificates of origin updated is a crucial step in customs compliance. Potential annual duty savings can be negatively impacted if these aren’t up to date.

Update free trade agreement instructions. Your customs broker should have instructions pertaining to free trade agreements, to help ensure it has proper direction for how to enter your organization’s files.

Review antidumping and countervailing duties products. AD/CVD are high priorities for CBP, so ensuring that all product data is accurately shared with your broker is critical.

Register for the Automated Commercial Environment portal. The ACE Secure Data Portal allows you to receive notifications and real-time updates from CBP in real time.

Access your export reports. Regularly audit your export filings for accuracy, looking for gaps in your export compliance program. Use your ACE exporter account to review your historical Electronic Export Information filings.

Look at updates to the U.S. Import Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifications and export classifications. It’s not unusual for CBP to update schedules, so you must verify any updates and ensure they line up with the right tariff number for your products. 

Request manifest confidential treatment. Maintaining manifest confidentiality is key to retaining your competitive advantage, helping to ensure that requests for access from potential competitors are denied.

Train, train, train. Employees old and new must stay current and aware of any recent changes to customs rules and requirements. Providing this training before any changes go into effect is a must for any responsible importer.

Assess risks with your denied party screening program. Regularly reviewing how and when you are screening different parties will ensure that your program matches your business objectives and mitigates any potential risks.

Be aware of CBP’s focus areas. CBP focuses on high-risk areas that can cause significant revenue loss, harm the U.S. economy, or threaten the health and safety of the American people. This now includes anti-dumping and countervailing duties products, where failure to comply can result in significant losses and reputational damage. 

Outlook: Navigating the customs and compliance process shouldn’t feel overwhelming. Taking these precautions beforehand, and working with trusted logistics partners, can help your organization maintain the streamlined operations it needs to succeed. 

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