As the new year begins, many will make New Year’s resolutions to save money, lose weight, get in shape, travel more, read more books, learn a skill or hobby and a whole host of other goals. But New Year’s resolutions don?t have to just apply to personal health and wellness.
Importers and Exporters are encouraged to set some New Year’s goals for their logistics program, seeking to build a more robust compliance program. The following is a short list of some New Year’s resolutions for 2019 that can make every future year just a little easier to manage:
If you do not have a procedural manual in place, think about creating both a print version and electronic version. If you already have one, now is a great time to review and update any ‘outdated’ regulations and instructions. Your manual should include the following:
This will help you work with customs to protect your supply chain. By participating in CTPAT, you will be able to benefit in the following ways:
Click here to learn more about CTPAT.
This will allow you to receive real-time reporting of international shipping activity. You will gain access to various instructional tools, including an ISF management tool. Click here for more information.
Make sure that you and your broker audit all classifications and procedures. Specifically, make sure to pay attention to review classifications and any other formal processes.
If you do not have a procedural manual in place, think about creating both a print version and electronic version. If you already have one, now is a great time to review and update any “outdated” regulations and instructions. Your manual should include the following:
Additional tools can be found here.
Throughout the export process, you will want to ask the following questions to make sure you know your product inside and out:
CTPAT is also available to exporters. By participating in CTPAT, you will be able to receive many of the same benefits that importers receive. You can continue to work with a supply chain expert, receive priority slots for inspections and reduce the number of required examinations.
Click here to learn more about CTPAT for exporters.
Make sure that you and your forwarder review all important export rules and regulations such as incoterms, the Schedule B and any country specific requirements that have changed. As part of the process, you will also want to review your bond and marine insurance.
Let us know how we can help you on your journey to trade compliance excellence. Contact our team today or speak to your Ascent Global Logistics representative directly.
Ascent Global Logistics’ compliance team is willing and able to come and speak to your international staff about a host of topics that might be helpful in fulfilling some of these goals. From Import 101 to Export 101, Incoterms, Red Flags of Exporting, Documentation, Classification and many other topics, we can provide services through webinars, seminars, one on one discussion or group training to improve your team?s understanding of the many regulations and guidelines.