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Know what the difference is in my workday? Effective trade compliance management. When everything is aligned—clear regulations, smooth processes, and the right support—I get the privilege of ensuring global trade runs like a well-oiled machine. When it’s not aligned? It’s firefighting—managing last-minute compliance checks, racing against regulatory changes, and ensuring no shipment gets stuck at the border. It’s easy to celebrate the wins, whether that’s: -Navigating complex international regulations -Securing seamless customs clearance -Ensuring compliance with export controls -Preventing costly delays for customers But it’s also important to acknowledge that not every business has the same resources to manage trade compliance effectively. When I started out, compliance felt more like ‘survival mode.’ So if your business has well-defined processes and your shipments flow smoothly, take a moment to appreciate that. It didn’t happen overnight. And if trade compliance still feels like an uphill battle every day? You’re not alone—many businesses face that same challenge. Just remember: there’s always a solution. Sometimes, it’s just about finding the right one. You’ve got this. 💪 (And hey, as the weekend rolls in, don’t forget to recharge. You’ve earned it—Monday will be ready when you are! ☀️)

Logistics and Trade Compliance The relationship between logistics and trade compliance lies in their integration to ensure smooth and efficient operations within the organization. Trade compliance relies on effective logistic operations to provide the necessary data and information for reporting and documentation required by regulatory bodies. Trade compliance also requires the use of advanced logistic techniques to track information and control operations accurately, facilitating compliance with laws and regulations. Success in both logistics and trade compliance also necessitates close collaboration between different departments within the organization, such as logistics, finance, and legal. In summary, logistics and trade compliance complement each other to ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to trade and industry, as well as to achieve efficiency in the flow of materials and goods within the organization. #Logistics #TradeCompliance #Operations #Collaboration

💡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘊𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 💸 When people think of trade compliance, they often focus on avoiding penalties and staying on the right side of the law. But have you considered how effective compliance strategies can unlock cost-saving opportunities in your supply chain? Here are a few ways trade compliance can boost your bottom line: 🔑 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 Understanding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and preferential duty programs can reduce or eliminate tariffs on eligible goods. A compliance professional ensures your company maximises these savings without risking violations. 🔑 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 Companies often overlook the opportunity to reclaim duties on imported goods that are later exported. A strong compliance function ensures these refunds are claimed efficiently. 🔑 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Misclassification of goods or incorrect customs valuation can lead to overpaying duties. A skilled trade compliance team ensures your products are classified correctly, optimising costs while maintaining compliance. 🔑 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 Non-compliance can lead to costly shipment delays, storage fees, or hefty penalties. A proactive compliance strategy prevents these hidden costs from eating into your profits. Having recently worked on Trade Compliance roles, it’s clear how integral these professionals are—not just in keeping businesses compliant but also in driving cost efficiencies across global supply chains. If you’ve seen the value trade compliance has brought to your organisation or have insights to share, I’d love to hear your thoughts! #TradeCompliance #SupplyChainSavings #CostOptimisation #Logistics #Recruitment #GlobalTrade

IMPROVING LOGISTICS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMPLIANCE 1. Evaluate your existing logistics and trade compliance procedures to identify areas that need improvement. Look for bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and potential compliance gaps. 2. Development of procedures that outline the logistics and trade compliance requirements for your company regularly updated to reflect changes in regulations. 3. Train your employees on logistics and trade compliance principles, regulations, and best practices. Make sure they understand their roles and responsibilities in ensuring compliance throughout the supply chain. 4. Implement technologies and systems that provide real-time visibility into your supply chain like tracking shipments, inventory management, and data from suppliers, partners, and logistics providers. 5.  Establish a supplier management program to ensure your vendors and partners adhere to trade compliance regulations. 6. Use software solutions that automate compliance processes, generating accurate trade documentation. These tools can help reduce human error and improve efficiency. 7.  Perform internal audits and assessments to identify any compliance gaps or areas for improvement. These reviews should include both logistical processes and documentation accuracy. 8.  Maintain International Trade Documentation, accurate and complete documentation is critical for trade compliance. Implement a system to ensure proper record-keeping, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, export/import licenses, and customs declarations. 9. Stay Updated on Regulatory Changes: Monitor changes in trade regulations, tariffs, sanctions, and customs procedures. 10. Encourage a culture of compliance throughout your organization. Communicate the importance of adhering to regulations, provide resources for employees to seek guidance, and foster open lines of communication for reporting potential compliance issues. Remember, trade compliance is a complex and evolving field. It's important to consult with legal experts or trade consultants who specialize in logistics and trade compliance to ensure you meet all legal requirements and best practices specific to your industry and region. Let´s talk Mauricio Barraza International Trade Compliance Specialist

Trade Compliance isn’t about paperwork moments before export of products. Everything changes and I think many companies get the importance nowadays. (Some still seem to refuse to acknowledge Trade Compliance though, just waiting for a legal big bang) It has become a strategic pillar to conquer the right markets in the right way. Ensuring well-planned market access, it keeps sales flowing while safeguarding exporting entities. When executed properly, Trade Compliance ensures sustainable revenue streams, establishing a lasting global presence. Unlike questionable one-off sales with unrealistic margins that can turn into nightmares for sales reps, GMs, and brand reputation.

When entering into a business relationship with a Chinese supplier, conducting thorough due diligence is crucial. This process involves requesting and verifying a series of key documents that can provide insight into the supplier's legitimacy, financial stability, and operational capacity. Here's a list of essential documents and questions you should consider: Business License: This is the most fundamental document. It proves the legality of the business in China. You should check the business name, registered address, and the business scope to ensure they match your expectations and their claims. Certificate of Approval: This document is issued by local government bodies and provides additional validation of the business's legal status and its operations. It's essential for ensuring the company is authorized to engage in the activities it claims to be. Banking Information: Requesting and verifying banking details is crucial for financial transactions. It’s advisable to confirm that the bank account is in the name of the company you are doing business with to avoid fraud. ISO or Other Quality Management Certificates: These documents prove that the supplier adheres to international quality management standards. For example, an ISO 9001 certification indicates that the supplier has a quality management system in place. Export License: If you are importing goods from China, ensure your supplier has a valid export license. This is crucial for smooth customs clearance and export procedures. Reference Letters or Testimonials: While not official documents, reference letters from previous clients can provide insights into the supplier's reliability and performance. Product Test Reports and Compliance Certificates: Depending on your industry, you may need your products to meet certain standards or regulations. Factory Audits and Inspection Reports: If possible, request recent audit reports. These can provide detailed insights into the operational capacity, labor conditions, and overall management of the supplier. Sample Evaluation: Before placing a large order, request samples or prototypes of the product to evaluate quality and specifications firsthand. Environmental Compliance Documentation: Increasingly important, documents proving environmental compliance indicate the supplier's commitment to sustainable practices. Inquiring and verifying these documents and questions with suppliers in China not only helps in assessing their credibility and capability but also establishes a foundation for trust and transparency in the business relationship. It's also recommended to engage with professionals or firms specializing in supplier verification, like BSP Sourcing, who are familiar with the local context and can navigate the verification process efficiently. #bettersourcing #smartsourcing https://wix.to/P9GxvSI

Around 2015 we were hired by a big fortune 100 Company to take a look at their supply chain for some specific materials. They had been buying from one company, but wanted to better understand a landscape of suppliers. As it turned out, the company that they were buying from, despite claiming that they were one of the manufacturers, was just a trading company that relabeled their product. it turns out they had no actual visibility into their supply chain. They didn’t know where material was coming from. It turns out that despite industry reports that they paid many thousands of dollars for, stating that there were 15 suppliers across Asia, that 13 of these companies were treaters or no longer existed. There were only two manufacturers, both in remote areas of China. Lesson is Duthie due diligence in the beginning, before you get yourself into trouble

We receive import shipments (or send export shipments) every day and have never had a problem.  There is no compliance risk. We don’t need to change what we do. A someone who has been in the trade compliance field for over 30 years, I have encountered this attitude from senior management more than once. I am not the only trade expert who has heard this (which is good and bad). At the recent ICPA Fall Conference, supply chain consultant Thomas Cook of Blue Tiger International shared two great analogies he uses to help senior management understand the risks of not paying attention to trade compliance. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝟭 If you drive to work every day at 80 miles per hour on the same highway when the speed limit is 55, do you think one day the police would pull you over and give you a ticket? The answer is usually “yes”. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝟮 You have fire sprinklers in your office building because it is required by code. The chance there will be a fire is low, but if there is, the sprinklers will help put it out and mitigate damage. You don’t think you will need them until you do. Both analogies illustrate how trade compliance is all about managing and reducing risk in the supply chain. Risk that ✔️ Needed products and components will be held at the border. ✔️ Customers won’t get the product they want when they want it. ✔️ Manufacturing schedules or sales goals will be adversely affected. ✔️ The company’s reputation will be impacted by not delivering products. ✔️ Non-compliance will catch up with you resulting in fines and penalties. Would most companies contemplate not having a strategy to deal with financial or operational risk? Well maybe some would, but they likely wouldn’t be around long. Trade compliance deals with supply chain risk.  And that is a good reason to have processes and procedures in place to ensure your imports and exports are compliant and can be cleared quickly. Seems like a no brainer to me. Do you have any analogies or stories you have used successfully to make a case for managing trade risk? _________________________________ I am Elizabeth Lomax, import/export compliance expert helping pharma and biotech companies create more efficient international supply chains. DM me or visit my LinkedIn profile to learn more. To stay updated, click the notification bell on my profile. 🔔

I am continually striving to enhance understanding among individuals outside the Trade Compliance Industry. It is crucial to delineate the importance of Trade Compliance, to internal and external customers. Drawing an analogy with the ongoing Olympic Games, one might liken an international shipment to an Olympic relay team. The objective, akin to a relay race, is to deliver our product to the end customer in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The shipment is the “baton” being handed off between relay team members. Each team member is responsible for the efficient movement of the baton through their leg of the journey. The process commences with the initial phase at the production warehouse. Here, the team prepares the shipment by gathering the necessary information, packaging, and bundling the items. The warehouse team then informs the next phase of the relay team, ensuring that all packaging materials and protective items are ready and secured for the subsequent stages. The baton in this analogy is validated through compliance filings with the exporting country’s government, which includes confirming authorization to export the product to the destination country. Following this, the baton is handed over, ideally resulting in a seamless transition, whether to an internal drayage team or an external carrier. The second phase can involve transporting the product to a major shipping hub, such as an ocean or airport. There may be another hand off to load the international shipment on to a Ship or an airplane to bring the product to the destination country. It is vital that carriers selected for this phase are aligned with the goal of ensuring smooth delivery to the customer. Upon arrival, the baton transitions to the customs broker. This phase, which may range from a few hours to several weeks, is critical. The broker must be adequately prepared to assume responsibility, which includes prior notification of the shipment and the removal of any potential regulatory obstacles. Customs officials may introduce additional delays through secondary inspections, impacting the time required for the broker to clear the goods. Once customs clearance is achieved, the baton is handed over to the final leg of the relay. The final carrier then transports the cleared goods to the customer’s destination. The race concludes only when the goods are physically delivered to the customer. Any issues encountered during the race can significantly affect the perceived performance of the entire team.