free online import mini-audit

Get a free "snapshot" of the state and condition of your customs/import and export compliance programs. Done completely online. Available 24/7. It takes about five or ten minutes for you to complete. There is no registration required. We provide you with an analysis of your compliance efforts, along with helpful suggestions for improvements. It's fun, helpful, and free!

Your information will be evaluated by an international trade lawyer from GRVR Attorneys.

This service is purely informational. There is no client-attorney relationship created by submitting a snapshot or through our firm's analysis of a snapshot.

WANT AN AUDIT OF YOUR EXPORT COMPLIANCE?

Please provide us with your contact information.

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Classification - Unless the goods are exempted from entry, importers must classify the goods they import under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Tariff classification determines the amount of duty that an importer owes, whether the goods are under quota, subject to antidumping duties, or qualify for duty-savings programs. Tariff classification helps our government prepare trade statistics.

1. Do you have a complete, accurate, and current classification database under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States for all the merchandise and items that your company imports into the United States? *

Yes. We have a classification database that we mostly or completely created internally. Yes. We have a classification database created by a customs broker or other third party. No. We do not have a classification database. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

2. Classification - If you have a third party like a customs broker assisting with your tariff classifications, do you independently and periodically audit their work? *

Yes No. We do not use outside consultants or brokers to help us classify our imported products. No. While an outside broker or consultant helps us with tariff classification, we do not monitor or audit for accuracy. Other.

Feel free to elaborate *

3. Classification - Do you have complete and accurate records, and accompanying procedures, regarding all entry documents needed to support your tariff classifications? *

Yes. We keep all such records internally. Yes. We rely on our customs brokers or other consultant to keep all our entry records. No. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

4. Classification - Do you request and obtain ruling requests (official interpretations) from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to supplement your compliance efforts? *

Yes. We have ruling requests and we have procedures ensuring that we comply with those ruling requests. Yes. We have ruling requests, but we do not have procedures to ensure compliance with those requests. Yes. We have ruling requests, but I am not sure whether we comply with them. No. We do not have ruling requests, but don't need them. No. We do not do ruling requests, but I do not know why we don't do them or it is a compliance area that needs attention. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

Special Programs: If it qualifies, an importer may (but is not required to) use a tariff classification or special trade program to avoid paying duties (and sometimes fees). The programs that allow this kind of special treatment include: The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), Harmonized Tariff Classification 9801 and 9802, NAFTA, and other special programs.

5. If you make duty saving claims under any of these special programs, do you verify that the merchandise qualifies, including creating a complete and accurate paper trail (for example, obtaining any certificates of origin or repair itemizations) of the transaction? *

Yes. No. We do not make any such claims. No. While we take advantage of one or more of these programs, we do not verify that the merchandise qualifies. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

6. Special Programs: Do you use or operate in a Foreign-Trade Zone? *

Feel free to elaborate. *

Valuation: An importer must provide and report to US Customs and Border Protection the value of imported merchandise.

7. In determining the value of imported merchandise, do you consider assists, packing costs, proceeds of subsequent resale, direct or indirect payments, after-the-fact adjustments, payments for purchased quota, payments for locally obtained tooling, currency rate fluctuation adjustments pegged to a contract, commissions, or royalties? *

Yes. We routinely appraise imported goods internally, and consider all of the above. Yes. But we depend on our suppliers to provide us with the correct valuation. No. We do not do this because we do not have any of these additions to our imported goods. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

Valuation: Manufacturing assists are items such as material components, molds, equipment, tools, and dies that the importer provides to the foreign manufacturer at a reduced cost or free of charge for use in producing the imported merchandise. Design and development costs undertaken in a country outside of the United States are also assists.

8. Do you have manufacturing assists? *

Yes. Our compliance program verifies that all assists are reflected in the value reported to CBP. Yes. But there are gaps in how we report these assists to CBP. No. I am sure we do not have assists. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

Record Keeping: Importers are required to keep or retain records on file. CBP will penalize an importer for failing this duty.

9. Which of the following most accurately reflects how your company retains import records? *

We have a centralized record-keeping system and keep all records as required by the (a)(1)(A) list for at least 5 years. Our record-keeping system is decentralized and we keep all records as required by the (a)(1)(A) list for at least 5 years. We have a good record-keeping program, but I'm not sure how we long we retain records. We applied for and received permission from CBP to keep our records electronically. All our import records are kept by a record-keeper certified as such by CBP. We depend on our customs broker to keep all our records. We do not have much of a record keeping program. Other.

Feel free to elaborate *

10. Training -- Does your company provide regular (at least annual) training to all employees involved in importing merchandise? *

Yes. No. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate *

11. Training -- Please describe the type of training you provide to your import personnel. Please include delivery method (webinar, in-person, seminar, in-house training, intranet lessons), how you keep record of the training, and topics covered. *

12. Country of Origin -- Which of the following best describes your company? *

We confirm the country of origin of every item we import. We think we know the country of origin, but we do not independently confirm it. We do not know the country of origin of our imported goods. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

13. Country of Origin -- Which of the following best describes your company? *

We make sure that our imported goods are prominently and visibly marked with the correct country of origin. We mark our imported goods with the country of origin, but I'm not sure how good of a job we do. We do not mark our imported goods with the country of origin as we should. Our imported products do not require country of origin marking. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

14. Customs Broker Management - Which of the following most accurately reflects your contract and power(s) of attorney with your customs broker(s)? *

We negotiated a contract and power of attorney under terms and conditions to fit our particular needs, and we limit and track the number of powers of attorneys to brokers. We signed a contract and power of attorney that the customs broker provided. We do not track or limit our powers of attorney. We do not have a contract with our customs broker(s). We do not use customs brokers. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

15. Customs Broker Management - Which of the following most accurately reflects how your company views the outside customs brokers it contracts with? *

Brokers are great, but we're ultimately responsible for compliance, so we check everything our brokers do. If there is a problem with classification, valuation, etc., it is the customs broker's fault, not ours. We pay them to get these things right. We do not use customs brokers. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

16. Emergencies -- Which of the following best describes how your company handles notices from CBP, for example, CBP Form 28 (Request for Information) or CBP Form 29 (Notice of Action)? *

The notice is immediately forwarded to the proper company official and calendared for possible response/action. We file it in our records, but take no action. No real policy. More ad hoc than anything. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

17. Emergencies: Which of the following best describes how your company handles voluntary prior disclosures when your company violates an import law or regulation? *

We file prior disclosures and take the necessary steps to prevent recurrence of violations. We filed prior disclosures in the past, but need to refine how we prevent violations of the kind reported in the prior disclosures. We do not file prior disclosures as a matter of policy. We do not file prior disclosures because we just haven't thought about it much. We do not file Prior Disclosures. We file Post Entry Amendments. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

18. Emergencies: If a special agent or two showed up at your company's front door with a subpoena or search warrant, which of the following best describes what your company would do? *

Our contingency plan or emergency compliance unit would kick in. We'd have to play it by ear. We don't have much of a plan, but we ARE concerned. We would consult our legal counsel. Other.

Feel free to elaborate *

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, are important to importers, manufacturers, and IPR owners. Importers must not infringe on the IPR of others. Manufacturers and owners can take steps to protect their IPR.

19. Which of the following most accurately reflects your company? *

Our company has insufficiently documented, poorly defined, or no internal controls to prevent us from importing IPR-protected merchandise. We have a great system and the right people in place to prevent us from importing IPR-protected merchandise. We try to prevent the importation of IPR-protected merchandise, but we do so informally and ad hoc. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

20. Intellectual Propert Rights - Which of the following best describes your company? *

We own important trademarks and/or copyrights that we have recorded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We own important trademarks and/or copyrights that we have NOT recorded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We do not own any trademarks or copyrights. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

C-TPAT, also known as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, is a voluntary program administered by CBP that seeks to secure the supply chain of imported merchandise.

21. What is your C-TPAT status? *

We are C-TPAT certified. We are not C-TPAT certified and are not interested in joining the program. We are not C-TPAT certified and are interested in joining the program. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

22. CBP Audits. Have you ever been the target of a Focused Assessment or some other audit by CBP? *

Yes. No. Other

Please feel free to elaborate. *

23. Does your company pay anti-dumping or countervailing duties? *

Yes. No. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

24. Is your company enrolled in and using CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)? *

Yes. No. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

25. Your Sourcing - Which of the following most accurately defines your foreign suppliers? *

We import mostly or only from a related company (parent company, sister company, joint venture partner). We import mostly or mainly from companies not related to our company. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

26. Which of the following most accurately captures why you import? *

We mostly or only sell our imported products to companies and consumers. We mostly or only use the imported goods within the company. Other.

Please feel free to elaborate. *

27. Which of the following most accurately reflects your company? *

Management at its highest levels has clearly and widely mandated company-wide compliance with import laws. Management promotes import compliance, but limited solely or only to units/groups directly involved in importing. Our company is new to importing or import compliance. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

28. Which of the following most accurately reflects your company's written import compliance procedures? *

We have written procedures, including desktop procedures, that are updated periodically and that are easily accessible by all relevant employees. We have written procedures, but no desktop procedures, that are updated periodically and that are easily accessible by all relevant employees. We have written procedures, but they are not updated periodically and are not easily accessible by all relevant employees. We do not have written procedures. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

29. Which of the following reflects how your company audits its import compliance programs? *

We periodically audit our internal controls, including post-entry reviews. We periodically audit our internal controls. The periodic audit is performed by someone within the company. Our audits of our import controls are more limited than described above. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

30. For any audit your company performs of its import procedures, does the audit include review of post-entry procedures to confirm that all information declared to CBP is accurate? *

Yes. No. Our audits do not do this. No. We do not audit. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

31. Has your company been investigated or fined by CBP? *

Yes. No. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

32. Which of the following best describes your role and responsibilities in regards to trade compliance for your company? *

I have the authority to make compliance improvements as needed, including hiring outside professionals to help. I have the authority to make compliance improvements as needed, but someone else hires outside professionals. I work with others to make compliance improvements and to hire outside professionals. I work with others to make compliance improvements, and our company does not hire outside professionals. Someone above me or in another department makes needed compliance improvements. We are currently trying to figure out who is responsible for what. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

33. Which of the following most accurately reflects your company? *

We have a pretty good and established import compliance program and are looking for minor tweaking. We are trying to overhaul an established program. We barely have a program at all, but are committed to jump-starting our compliance efforts. We barely have a program, and possibly want to take some tentative, modest compliance steps. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

34. Our law firm, GRVR Attorneys, hosts seminars, webinars, and training sessions for the business community. What is your experience with our training programs? *

We participate often and greatly enjoy your training sessions. We participated once or twice and liked the presentations. We participated before, but came away thinking you needed to improve. We never participated in one of your training programs. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

35. Which of the following best reflects your company? *

We have a law firm helping us with compliance and are not looking for a new firm. We have in-house counsel. We have a law firm helping us with compliance, but are open to possibly contracting with other law firms. We do not have a law firm helping us with customs issues, and are actively looking for one. We do not have a law firm helping us, but we are open the possibility of hiring a firm. We do not have a law firm helping us with customs, but we are not interested in hiring a law firm. Other.

Feel free to elaborate. *

36. When would you like us to contact you? What time during the business day is best for you? What day of the week? *

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