COMPLIANCE

We partner with our clients to provide the resources needed to ensure full and complete compliance with all import, export, drawback and related Customs and Border Protection requirements.

Compliance

Charter Brokerage is able to minimize the need for expensive trade consultants and attorneys.

The Customs Modernization Act of 1993 mandates that “reasonable care” be exercised in merchandise importation, and, since then, procedures that reflect “informed compliance” have been imposed on the trade community. Charter makes its substantial experience and expertise available to ensure its clients comply with the ever-growing and increasingly complex rules and regulations that govern international trade and customs processes.

Charter Brokerage’s team of customs attorneys, international trade attorneys, licensed customs brokers and expert staff assist our clients in understanding their import, export and drawback obligations and guide them on the adoption and implementation of policies and procedures that ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. In this way, Charter can minimize the need for expensive trade consultants and attorneys, resulting in the most cost-effective service over the long term.

Compliance

All merchandise imported into the U.S. is subject to the customs laws related to entry and duty assessment.

All merchandise imported into the United States is subject to the customs laws related to entry and duty assessment, as set forth in the Tariff Act (19 U.S.C. § 1202 et seq.). The two-part entry process consists of the filing of information and documentation (1) to secure release of the goods from the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and (2) to enable CBP to assess duties, collect accurate statistics and determine whether all requirements of the law are met. The law requires that importers exercise “reasonable care” in the entry of merchandise (19 U.S.C. § 1484), and it imposes penalties for failure to comply (19 U.S.C. § 1592). In addition, importers must maintain records to support their customs activities (19 U.S.C. § 1508).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has identified several “focus areas” for compliance including tariff classification, appraisement, country of origin, quantity, record keeping, and eligibility under free-trade agreements and special duty programs, among others. Charter has specific and detailed knowledge concerning CBP’s requirements, and we partner with our clients to provide the resources needed to ensure full and complete compliance with all import, export, drawback and related Customs and Border Protection requirements. In addition, Charter has implemented its own internal compliance program based on CBP-suggested “best practices,” which include documented procedures, ongoing training of in-house customs personnel and periodic, multi-level internal reviews of randomly selected transactions.

Compliance

Charter Brokerage’s commitment to compliance goes beyond our client services

Further, our commitment to compliance goes beyond our services and internal operations. Recognizing Charter’s commitment to compliance, CBP has enlisted our expertise in its efforts to fashion programs that apply to broad industry segments, including the following:

The Importer Self-Assessment Program. Charter worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) Program, which encompasses all CBP compliance requirements. Our experience in this effort has proved invaluable in providing our personnel with insights into how CBP views an importer’s compliance obligations. We have worked with several multi-national companies to prepare, implement, and maintain their ISA Programs.
The Broker Self-Assessment Program (Customs and Border Protection pilot program). U.S. Customs selected Charter as one of only four brokers in the United States to participate in the pilot Broker Self-Assessment Program. U.S. Customs did not institute the program.
ISA Pre-Certifier (Customs and Border Protection pilot program). Charter is one of only nine brokers in the US designated by CBP as an “ISA pre-certifier,” and, as such, we are qualified to advise, review, and provide precertification of an importer’s ISA application. U.S. Customs did not institute the program.

All the above constitute significant recognition by U.S. Customs of Charter’s competence and its commitment to the highest standards of customs compliance. We are duty-drawback experts and the authority on global trade services.

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