First in a series of U.S. Import Regulation topics by:   

Martin Bloch, Vice President - Dell Will Customs Brokers (USA) Inc.

Establishing a Compliance Program to work within U.S. Customs laws and regulations.

While U.S. Customs has been working over the past few years to insure conformity between with Customs and Importers, they have come up with a new buzz-word, "compliance" and with the new regulations strictly enforced, it is imperative that companies importing into the United States understand their responsibility to read, understand, and follow these regulations.

U.S. Customs maintains an excellent website as an import resource at 
                   

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov

Presently, they have published more than sixty Informed Compliance Publications.  These range on topics from Mushrooms, Marble, and Gloves, all the way to Marking Requirements and Molds and Mold Parts.  One publication that we would like to urge all importers to print, read, and distribute is the one entitled "Reasonable Care."   While everyone should read this 12-page booklet, the importance of this checklist for compliance needs to be emphasized at this time. 

This manual contains a checklist that all importers need to have in mind before they import products into the United States.                                         

Topics covered include some from the following list:

General Questions For All Transactions

Merchandise Description & Tariff Classification

Valuation

Country of Origin/Marking/Quota

Intellectual Property Rights

Textile and Apparel Importations


As well as a section of miscellaneous questions covering other government agencies, dumping and countervailing duties, quota and visa, as well as using the right kind of entry procedure.

We urge you to visit this U.S. Customs website and start your own compliance procedures.  As stated from the checklist introduction, "The list of questions may prompt or suggest a program, framework or methodology which importers may find useful in avoiding compliance problems and meeting " responsible care" responsibilities."

Dell Will Customs Brokers (USA) Inc. can help with any specific questions that you may have and can work with you to establish a compliance program on your own.