What an International Trade Compliance Specialist Does

The international trade compliance specialist is able to develop an export compliance program that does the following:

* Captures the company's compliance policies
* Corresponds to current business processes
* Builds compliance measures into daily activities

Creating an export compliance program requires expertise and practicality, whether you run a small company or a large one. Customs violations can hit a company hard, but by developing a comprehensive, company-wide export compliance program, you minimize your chances of unwittingly violating international trade compliance regulations.

International Trade Compliance Audits

An independent audit of your company can show where your biggest risks are for violating trade regulations. It is a great way to ensure that your compliance policy is effective and that you shore up those areas of vulnerability uncovered during the audit. An independent trade compliance audit should address the following areas:

* Compliance risk analysis
* Accuracy of written compliance procedures
* Training and awareness in compliance policies
* Recordkeeping
* Supplier screening procedures
* Corrective actions

Compliance Training

Employee training must include all employees who have anything to do with imports or exports. Too many companies only send key personnel to training programs on trade compliance. When all pertinent employees receive training, the risk of violations drops. Compliance specialists can create in-house seminars and workshops so that all relevant employees receive the training they need without the expense of travel. Many specialists will work with you to create staggered training sessions so that you don't lose the services of the entire staff during training. Training can be tailored to your industry, your products, and your markets, and it can also be customized for the needs of specific job functions.

Product Classification

When your products and services are classified properly, you can have confidence that you are applying the right export regulations. Compliance specialists will ensure the proper commodity jurisdiction is assigned and that the right Schedule B numbers are attached to exports that require a license. Classifications change, and the only way to be certain your products are classified correctly is to enlist in the help of an expert who knows the regulations and knows the penalties for mistakes. By taking a proactive approach with product classification, you not only minimize current risk, but also are better prepared to deal with changes in classifications quickly and accurately.

Licenses and Agreements

Some industries and markets must export under State Department or Commerce Department licenses while others may only need a license for certain products or when they want to employ someone from a foreign country. Licensing rules can be confusing, but export compliance consultants can help you make the right licensing determinations and even help you in applying for the necessary licenses.

Compliance with all international trade requirements should never be left to chance. What worked two years ago may be completely out of date today. Even if you have a small business, export violations can lead to big problems, and your best approach is to prevent problems and make sure all employees understand the importance of compliance with trade regulations.