Customs & Compliance
Our customs clearance service provides expert guidance and handling of all import and export procedures, ensuring your shipments cross borders smoothly and in compliance with legal requirements. As your licensed customs broker, we prepare and submit the necessary documentation, calculate duties and taxes, and liaise with customs authorities on your behalf.
Prior to shipment arrival, we gather detailed information on your goods: commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and any permits or licenses (for controlled items). We then electronically file the import entry with customs, using correct tariff classifications (HS codes) and declaring the appropriate values to ensure accurate duty assessment.
Our team stays up-to-date on trade regulations and free trade agreements. If your goods qualify for preferential duty rates under certain agreements, we make sure to apply those benefits, saving you on import costs. We also advise on duty-saving opportunities like duty drawback or bonded warehousing when applicable.
During the clearance process, if any inspections or holds are initiated by customs, we handle all coordination. We present required documents, coordinate exams or sampling, and address any queries to resolve issues quickly. We also arrange for any required bonds or security filings (such as ISF for US ocean imports) to be in place for compliance.
Once clearance is obtained, we facilitate final delivery of goods. Our end-to-end approach means we monitor the shipment until it’s fully released and delivered to you. We maintain records of all entries and can support you in audits or compliance reviews by customs agencies, providing reports and documentation as needed.
Benefits to Your Business:
- Faster Customs Processing: With experienced brokers navigating the system, your shipments clear customs faster and with fewer delays. This speed reduces port or airport storage fees and gets your goods into market or production sooner – critical for time-sensitive shipments.
- Compliance and Penalty Avoidance: Our deep knowledge of customs regulations ensures your documentation is accurate and complete. By correctly classifying goods and complying with rules, you avoid costly penalties, fines, or seizure of goods that can result from errors or non-compliance.
- Optimized Duty Costs: We ensure you don’t overpay on import duties. Utilizing free trade agreements, proper customs valuation methods, and duty exemption programs means you pay the minimum necessary duties. Over time, these savings significantly impact your bottom line.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: We handle the complex paperwork and communications with border agencies, sparing you the headache of dealing with bureaucracy. Your team doesn’t need to become customs experts – we provide that expertise, allowing you to focus on core business activities.
- Global Trade Support: Whether you’re importing to one country or managing a multi-country supply chain, our customs clearance services scale with you. We have a global network of brokerage partners to assist in various jurisdictions, giving you consistent support as you expand to new markets and ship internationally.