Explainer: Why businesses work with Customs compliance consultants
At Cole International, we believe that the more you know, the better your goods will go. Our Explainer posts provide valuable information from customs compliance consultants that you should know about before you make your next move.
We understand that the logistics industry involves complex processes, regulations, and definitions that can be overwhelming to navigate. Cole's Explainer series breaks down key concepts into bite-size knowledge that's easy to consume.
In this Explainer, we’ll examine reasons why businesses work with Customs consultants and the benefits of accessing the experience of a trusted broker.
When to work with a Customs compliance consultant
Businesses typically work with Customs compliance consultants when importing goods from other countries. Consultants track changes in rules and regulations, ensuring that you stay compliant and avoid problems at the border. A consultant also keeps you updated on the latest trade verification priorities and trends that importers should know before shipping goods. 
Customs consultants help you navigate rules and regulations and understand the many nuances of importing goods across national borders. This includes admissibility requirements, compliance requirements, duties and taxes, entry procedures, paperwork, product classification, and the valuation of goods on all types of imported items.
Companies can leverage the experience of Customs consultants to implement strategic business improvements and more efficient trading processes. Importers can also authorize consultants to conduct a range of different transactions on the importer’s behalf.
Business benefits of Customs compliance
The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other agencies can enforce compliance by conducting inspections and taking control of shipments of imported goods. For example, the CBSA can decide to store many types of non-perishable goods for up to 40 days while determining their admissibility.
A trusted Customs compliance consultant can work with businesses and interact with Customs agents to prevent problems and ensure a smooth delivery of your imported goods. Additional benefits of Customs compliance include:
• Reduced costs and fines
• More predictable supply chain processes
• Greater efficiency and less time with paperwork
• Better customer and supplier relationships
• Reduced risk and enhanced competitiveness
Businesses that experience importing problems can reach out to Consulting & compliance teams to solve a variety of issues that may arise when moving goods across the border. Companies can also choose to take a more proactive approach to compliance.
Proactive compliance with Customs consultants
Importers can improve the way they deal with rules and regulations by switching from reactive to proactive compliance. A proactive approach helps to prevent foreseeable issues while becoming more efficient in achieving compliance. Typically, a reactive approach only responds to compliance issues when they arise, which leads to problems and reduced efficiency.
A Customs compliance consultant is an ideal partner for businesses seeking to improve the way they handle compliance issues. Delaying customs compliance can lead to a higher risk of audits, misclassified goods, and higher duties and taxes paid.
Proactive compliance helps importers reduce the risk of audits and reassessments, ensure accurate goods classification, and mitigate penalties. In the event of a verification, proactive businesses will be prepared to show compliance while reactive businesses will scramble to put together the paperwork and details needed to comply with the verification request.
The more you know!
We invite you to continue growing your knowledge base by exploring our earlier Explainer posts:
Explainer: Filling out your Cole Proforma Invoice (U.S. Customs)
Explainer: How do Schedule B numbers, HTS codes, and HS codes work?
Explainer: Container shortage and price increases for ocean cargo
U.S. Customs. It's what we do.
