Compliance Dept – Organization

Questions and answers about Compliance Dept – Organization

  • Import Compliance SOP

    Question: My company is an IOR into Canada and the US (not NRI’s).  We were looking to combine our Import SOP for Canada and the US into one document just to make it easier to maintain. We’d be sure to note processes specific to each country where applicable. For example, our OGA section would be […]

  • Customs Power of Attorney

    Question: We are a Customs broker.  If our client changes their name but maintains the same EIN#, do we need to secure a new POA? Thank you for your reply. Answer 1: You may notice that the POA format prescribed by Customs in 19 CFR 141.32 does not even provide for a EIN, though I […]

  • Trade Compliance RACI

    Question: Hello compliance community, Do any members have a RACI they’d be willing to share? General to Trade Compliance responsibilities…hoping to leverage one covering import, export and sanctions compliance. And including trade operations, of course.  Thank you in advance! Answer 1: A single one?  No.  I have MANY – the RACI is at the beginning […]

  • Customs Business Commercial Invoice Review

    Question: Our US-based company has employees (not U.S. citizens) in different parts of the world in various branch offices.  Our Purchasing department in the US would like to outsource document reviews to one of the foreign branch offices. Those employees would be reviewing the commercial invoices that are used for the import of goods into […]

  • Trade Compliance Vs Customs Compliance

    Question: Hi there! Can someone please advise what the difference is between Customs compliance and Trade compliance? Is there a difference? I’m asking because my team is wanting to split up roles as Customs compliance and Trade compliance and in my eyes I looked at it as Trade compliance just including export compliance and customs […]

  • Org. Structure

    Question: Looking for insight regarding reporting structure.  Our company structure is currently aligned as follows… the Quality Assurance Dept and Social Responsibility Dept that report into Legal; and the International Transportation Dept and the Trade Compliance Dept that report into Supply Chain.  All 4 teams interact daily, as well, as work very closely with each […]

  • Best resource for South America Compliance program

    Question: Hello everyone! My company deals with South America business and wondering if you can recommend the best resources to learn about South America Compliance program. Thanks in advance for your insights. Answer 1: I would request a Country Commercial Guide published annually by the International Trade Administration.  Here is an example for Brazil.  It […]

  • Trade Compliance Corporate Manual

    Question: Does anyone have a guide or even template for writing a company policy compliance trade manual? Thank you Answer 1: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/compliance-training/export-management-compliance/1256-emcp-guidelines-november-2013/file Most companies would not share their EMCP outside of their company. BIS offers a decent template that needs to be tailored to your business. Do not just regurgitate these guidelines or the regulations. […]

  • Defining Trade Compliance vs Import Operations, Classification, Shipment Resolution

    Question: Has anyone seen a good explanation of Trade Compliance vs Import Operations.  I have been discussing these terms with team members in order to clarify roles within the org structure.  Many consider shipment resolution (addressing an issue that is causing a delay in customs entry or release). I define Trade and Customs Compliance as […]

  • CORPORATE TRADE COMPLIANCE

    QUESTION: I recall reading something somewhere about how centralized corporate trade compliance roles being allowed to provide trade compliance advice and carry out trade compliance functions for different business units that fall under the corporate umbrella but have different EIN/IRS/IOR #s only if that role was/is part of a Cost Sharing Agreement.  Is that correct? If […]

  • ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE ROLE

    *EXTERNAL SENDER* QUESTION: Is it common to incorporate the Ethics & Compliance role into the Trade Compliance role? My company wants to combine this role into mine (TC mgr) and I have no experience in this area.  We don’t have a legal dept. nor we have a single attorney working here. If anyone has this […]