Exportation and importation is by no means a simple task. There are numerous documents to be collected, as well as e-forms, to be filled. Also, various duties, excises, and taxes are paid depending on the nature of the goods. Besides, international trade is controlled by a full host of regulations. Importers or exporters are obligated to be familiar with all applicable laws to maximize compliance.
Custom brokerage, as an industry, faces many challenges. Staying up to date, being wary of national and international security protocols, maintaining compliance with international trade regulations, and operating around many obstacles are what custom brokerage organizations must do. The overall complexity of global trade and the factors mentioned make it arduous for numerous custom brokerage companies to maintain their operations’ efficiency.
Employing effective methods for the processing of customs documents is crucial for custom brokerage, as it ensures speedy clearance of international cargo, which is necessary for a prosperous supply chain.
Custom brokerage service organizations are experts in the field, who help navigate the sea of changing regulations and understand import peculiarities related to distinct commodities. They are experts in all classification, valuation, entry procedures, admissibility, and the taxes and duties imposed on imported goods.
A broker license is required to engage in the customs business and companies, which may be at least by one licensed officer, partner, or associate. Also, as clients, your custom brokerage service agency is authorized to act on your behalf.
The Firms Achieve Custom Brokerage Services Through:
- Evaluation of commercial documents to determine if they are compliant with regulatory requirements before their submission.
- A Certain client’s goods are appropriately classified, so taxes and duties can be rightly determined.
- Help client’s goods meet state requirements, regulate import and export, and act as liaisons between clients and relevant agencies.
- The preparation and submission of the necessary client’s information and payment to custom authorities.
- Help spread the client’s business to new markets using their expertise in cases where the custom brokerage firms have a proper presence across borders.
- Provision of personalized advice.
There are many reasons custom brokerage services are considered for use, and it is dependent on the client’s business. The following reasons resonate with the clients’ needs.
Expertise to facilitate the customs clearance process
Custom brokerage service firms possess the expertise necessary to facilitate all customs clearance processes, irrespective of the port of entry.
Help avoid unnecessary costs.
There is constant change in the rules and regulations in cross-border transactions. When employed, custom brokerage services help avoid costly fines, confiscation of merchandise, delays, and other penalties
Knowledge in complex regulatory requirements
Custom brokerage services are outsourced because some businesses need personnel versed in the complex regulatory requirements regulating the transport of goods and services across borders. The customs brokerage service providers offer complete import and export services, including warehousing, logistics, freight forwarding, distribution, etc.
Convenient paperwork
Many companies prefer to work with custom brokerage agencies due to the convenience that comes with entrusting all communication and paperwork with the experts. More importantly, they are saved from making costly mistakes due to the expertise of the custom brokerage agencies.
Verification of declarations
Keeping in mind that clients are legally responsible for all customs declaration on their behalf and faulty declarations sequel fines, audits, and sanctions on businesses, this necessitates having all statements verified by a licensed customs brokerage service agency.
Correct identification of goods
Custom brokerage agencies are well-grounded in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule – a compendium of taxes or duties levied on goods on import. Each good possesses specific classification numbers divided into major groups and sub-groups to ease their identification to charge customs duty.
Easy clearance of shipments with formal entry
Formal entry and a declaration of specific information on goods imported are required for some commodities; this applies to cosmetics, agricultural and dairy products, food, pharmaceutical products, and biological and chemical materials for research and medical use. The formal entry is also required when shipments exceed specific values. Until necessary paperwork and requirements are met for the purchase, they are held at customs. For example, all shipments exceeding $2500 in value ($250 for textiles) calls for a formal entry.
Importance Of NAFTA In B3 Form Generation
Customs brokerage services are described as the system of customs clearance of imported and exported goods through check-posts and borders. A certified copy of the Canadian customs coding Form B3 is used in customs clearance.
The B3 Form is generated concerning the tariff classification, tariff treatment, importers identification, accuracy declaration, taxes, and duties calculation, to analyze the worth of cargo imported for commercial usage in Canada. Later, the goods are released under the CBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) security bond. The CBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for importing and exporting goods in Canada.
Inaccurate or ineffective processing of B3 Forms can hinder a firm supply chain, significantly impeding delivery time.
NAFTA Certificate Verification
North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA is an agreement between three countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America. The NAFTA certificate is required to be submitted at the time of B3 Form processing. In the absence of a valid NAFTA certificate, the Customs Brokerage Services firms are not permitted to run their business in a duty-free zone. The release of any shipment without producing a valid NAFTA certificate is sternly penalized by the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB).
As a part of B3 Form building processing, utilizing the benefits of free trade with firms of other neighboring countries, the NAFTA certificate verification is conducted on a mandatory basis for every US, Mexico, and Canadian company. The data entry into B3 Form begins once the good’s cash discounts, tariffs, and other related data are clear. To ensure final accounts of products and other invoice details and to allow free movement of raw materials through Canadian customs, the B3 customs entry processing is crucial to customs brokerage outsourcing companies.
