Trade Compliance Survival Guide

Hosted by Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy on

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

Responses from the Q&A Portion of the Broadcast

This information has been provided by the webinar presenter,Suzanne Richer of Amber Road.

Do you have any recommendations for where we can find a template or example of an import manual to ensure we include all the key elements?
See CBP's website for more information.

How is a check of 35,000 items done? How long does it take? Could you please share some details about the process?
For a large classification review, select up to 10% of all items for a classification check. If the error rate is significantly high, continue auditing or consider a program to review it in its entirety.If only a low error rate is detected, consider the root cause and use this to advance new or updated classification procedures and initiate training around the results.
Can you suggest any training seminars for export compliance? Specifically, 40-80 hours per year.
Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy offers many export training programs and webinars. They have an Export Controls Specialist course (EXCS) that is also a certification program. For more information, see our website or contact their Director at .
What seems to be the right percentage of doing an audit, import or export?
Ideally, firms will have ongoing internal check points and an annual external assessment with a clear gap analysis report issued afterwards with prioritized goals, based on your firm's strengths, weaknesses and gaps. Contact our consulting team for more information at .
When an importer is selected for a focused assessment, how do they select entries to be reviewed?
CBP will review your importing history, your industry issues, and select entries they feel represent the highest degree of risk for your firm, your product line, and your industry.
How many tier 3 companies are there?
CBP has noted that there are less than 300 nationwide. Securing Tier 3 requires the importer to demonstrate best practices in their program and meet all of the minimum-security guidelines.
Will you be doing the seminar for advance textile classification this year?
We have a 3-day advanced course available throughAmber Road’s Global Trade Academy.

Is C-TPAT certification by location or by tax ID? We have several locations with the same importer tax ID, but only want to certify one location.
C-TPAT is by the importer's tax ID, so every location under that single number is part of your application.
What was the message we must include in our export invoice to avoid risk regarding qualification for FTA?
Include the Destination Control Statement –as it was recently updated, check the Customs Export website for the most up-to-date wording.
Is there a real benefit to importers for tier 3 vs tier 2 C-TPAT?
Yes, Tier 3 firms receive the CBP published benefits, as well as an unknown benefit - Federal Government limited liability under the Safe Port Act. The Tier 3 company must apply online for this benefit.
I give a NAFTA certificate and Excel spreadsheet, so am I also responsible for uploading info into the customer’s website?
No, you can provide them electronically or via hard copy to the customer.
Are there good resources that detail the classification changes for the next year?
Please see our webinaron WCO changes scheduled June 28th.
How can we use ACE if we have a custom broker who has their own ACE system?
Every importer can apply for an ACE account through CBP directly.The positive side of getting access to your information is that it covers all of your importations, even when using multiple brokers. So it's a far more complete picture then seeking this information from each broker you hire.
Are you going to demonstrate how to pull out the data in ACE?
Please see our webinar listing for ACE training topics.
Does C-TPAT help with FDA clearance or does it only apply to customs?
C-TPAT participation opens the door to joining the voluntary trade compliance program, Importer Self-Assessment (ISA). ISA participation gains your firm the title of Trusted Trader and opens the door to expedited cargo release through this process. Working with the appropriate CEE supports this as well, once you've earned the Trusted Trader Status.
What are your thoughts on broker recommended importer? If we are already C-TPAT and ISA participants, what is the benefit?
ISA is the number one program an importer can join; there is no need to work towards other programs that cannot supersede the benefits you have under ISA.

We currently use trade data provided by our broker's internal system (entry data) quarterly - how quickly is ACE updated?
ACE is fairly up to date, though at month or quarter end, it may be up to 2 weeks delayed in its postings.

To learn more about Amber Road’s training capabilities, please visit ourwebsite. For more information on Amber Road’s Trade Advisory Practice, please download ourbrochure.