Compliance for the Future & the Present
We have created a network of National and International Agents that will help you get through the complexity of the customs processing system. We also provide assistance with the forwarding of goods to domestic and international destinations.
The foremost contributing factors to our success are the basic ideals on which the company was founded, quality customer service and employee participation at all levels so that each operation is maximized in terms of cost and effectiveness.
Our primary goal is to build enduring and equitable relationships with our customers.
TYPES OF CUSTOMS ENTRIES
CONSUMPTION ENTRY
For shipment destine and its final destination to the United States with a value of over 2,000.00 USD.
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IT ENTRIES
- Immediate Transit -
Articles are shipped under carrier bond from the arrival of the first port of entry in the U.S. to a second U.S. port, transported by a bonded carrier. This entry is determined by encoterms. Articles will be subject to restrictions determined by U.S. customs.
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T&E ENTRY
For goods entering a U.S. port of entry to a second U.S. port to be exported under a Transportation and Exportation Entry.
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TEMPORARY IMPORT BOND (TIB)
This entry is for goods entering the U.S. temporarily with restrictions and exported within a required time frame to the originating country. This is used for repairs, samples of testing, etc.
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FTZ
A site which has been granted zone status may not be used for zone activity until the site has been separately approved for FTZ activation by local U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials, and the zone activity remains under the supervision of CBP. FTZ sites and facilities remain within the jurisdiction remain within the jurisdiction of local, state or federal governments or agencies.
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- No duties on imported goods that are later re-exported
- Production- specific benefits
- Elimination of duties on waste, scrap, and rejected or defective parts
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ISF (container shipments)
U.S. Customs requirement to be done 24 hours before the departure of the ocean shipment from the port at origin by the importer of record. If not done properly or timely, it may cause penalty, examination upon arrival at the destination port, or additional documentation requirements by Customs.
WHO IS A CUSTOM BROKER
Customs brokers are individuals, partnerships, or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by US Customs & Border Protection that involves the 'clearing' of goods through customs for importers and exporters. This requires the preparation of documents and/or electronic submissions, the calculation and usually the payment on behalf of the client, for taxes, duties and excises, and governmental authorities. Customs brokers prepare and submit documentation to notify or obtain the clearance from other government agencies such as the FDA, USDA, FCC, and many others. Customs brokers are familiar with the HTSUSA duty rates for imported items, and the regulations governing importations found in the Code of Federal Regulation Title 19. The custom broker then takes steps to affect the release of the goods in customs custody, and represents clients in custody matters, if necessary. Customs brokers normally arrange the transhipment, local delivery, or cleared merchandise through relationships with trucking companies and the Mexican or Canadian Custom Broker.
WHAT IS AN IMPORTER BOND
A continuous customs surety bond helps the importer guarantee payment of charges, levies, penalties, and duties assessed by U.S. Customs under LAW before permitting imported goods to pass into the country. The continuous bond is good for a period of one year and is renewable annually and the bond is valid for goods entering the U.S. at different ports. The continuous bond is for a sum of not less than $50,000 or 10% of the total duties paid in previous years. A single entry bond is good for the sum of the invoice and in some cases (such as with the FDA), three times the value of the invoice and is only good for one shipment.
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Continuous customs surety bonds do not protect importer nor are they intended to exempt the importer from any payment obligations as required by U.S. Customs. These bonds ensure that the assessed charges by the customs are paid in case the importer fails to fulfill the payment obligations required by law. A customs surety bond is required to be given by all importers for protecting the government and the customs department ensuring that all import FINANCIAL obligations are met even by defaulting importers.
SHIPPERS EXPORT DECLARATION
The Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is used by the Bureau of the Census to collect trade statistics and by the Bureau of Industry and Security for export control purposes. It is required for all shipments sent to foreign countries regardless of the method of transportation.
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There are several EXEMPTIONS to this requirement, the most notable being for SHIPMENTS UNDER $2,500.00 IN VALUE do not require a SED. The SED collects basic information, such as the names and addresses of parties to the transaction; The Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) (when required), the Schedule B number or Harmonized Tariff Schedule number, the description, quantity and value of the items exported, and the license authority for the export.
COMMERCIAL INVOICE
A commercial invoice, signed by the seller, or his agent, is acceptable for CBP purposes if it si prepared in accordance with Section 141.86 through 141.89 of the CBP Regulations, and in the manner customary for a commercial transaction involving goods of the kind covered by the invoice. The invoice must provide the following information, as required by the Tariff Act:
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1. The port of entry to which the merchandise is destined.
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2. If the merchandise is sold or agreed to be sold, the time, place, and name of the buyer and seller; if consigned, the time and origin of shipment, and names of shipper and receiver.
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3. A detailed description of the merchandise, including the name by which each item is known, the grade or quality, and the marks, numbers, and symbols under which it is sold by the marks marks and numbers of the packages in which the merchandise is packed.
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4. The quantities in weight and measures.
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5. If sold or agreed to be sold, the purchase price of each item in the currency of the sale.
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6. If the merchandise is shipped for consignment, the value of each item in the currency in which the transactions are usually made, or in the absence of such value, the price in such currency that the manufacturer, seller, shipper, or owner would have received, or was willing to receive, for such merchandise if sold in the ordinary course of trade and in the usual wholesale quantities in the country of exportation.
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7. The kind of currency.
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8. All charges upon the merchandise, itemized by name and amount, including freight, insurance, commission, cases, containers, coverings, and cost of packing; and, if not included above, all charges, costs, and expenses incurred in bringing the merchandise from alongside the carrier at the port of exportation in the country of exportation and placing it alongside the carrier at the first U.S. port of entry. The cost of packing, cases, containers, and inland freight to the port of exportation need not be itemized by amount if included in the invoice price and so identified. Where the required information does not appear on the invoice as originally prepared, it shall be shown on an attachment to the invoices.
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9. All rebates, drawbacks, and bounties, separately itemized, allowed upon the exportation of the merchandise.
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10. The country of origin.
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11. All goods or services furnished for the production of the merchandise not included in the invoice price.
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12. The invoice and all attachments much be in ENGLISH, or shall be accompanied by an accurate English translation.