Trade Innovations, a partner of TRG Direct, was launched as a practical alternative to traditional consulting and law firms. Since the company's founding in 2005, they have steadily built a portfolio of satisfied clients. Through carefully crafted strategic alliances they have the ability to provide world class service in the areas of customs and import compliance consulting, export compliance, training, C-TPAT programs, surety bonds, direct-filing of customs entries and Importer Security Filings (ISFs), marine insurance, and carnets.
To commemorate the company's 5 year anniversary Trade Innovations recently refreshed and updated their web site (www.tradeinnovations.com). In addition to their Blog, they added all of today's social media links so now you can follow Trade Innovations on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Make sure to visit them online and sign up for their monthly newsletter. It is full of insightful information.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Do you have multiple manufactures or suppliers on an Importer Security Filing?
A common questions among, new ISF direct filers is, "what do I do if I have multiple manufacturers, ship to parties, etc on one ocean shipment?"
The initial thought from most importers is that they will need to file multiple ISFs. However, this is not the case. The direct filer will actually be able to file just one ISF and enter the multiple parties. TRG Direct makes this very simple.
If you are using the ISF Excel template and uploading the document to TRG Direct, you will simply insert as many extra rows in the template as needed. If you are entering the information manually into the system you will simply choose add another party and a new field will appear.
Fill out the ISF and file as you normally do and you are all taken care of!
The initial thought from most importers is that they will need to file multiple ISFs. However, this is not the case. The direct filer will actually be able to file just one ISF and enter the multiple parties. TRG Direct makes this very simple.
If you are using the ISF Excel template and uploading the document to TRG Direct, you will simply insert as many extra rows in the template as needed. If you are entering the information manually into the system you will simply choose add another party and a new field will appear.
Fill out the ISF and file as you normally do and you are all taken care of!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Import & Export Recordkeeping Best Practices
Import/Export Recordkeeping Best Practices by Mike Laden
TRG attended another successful event hosted by the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) this past March. With educational sessions ranging from the Pros and Cons of Direct-filing to Understanding Incoterms, attendees were buzzing about the depth of knowledge presented at this conference. Mike Laden of TRG Direct presented Import/Export Recordkeeping Best Practices.
Recordkeeping Best Practices
Electronic – Keeping your records in an electronic format will allow you to expedite the document retrieval process as well as implement the following best practices. This will also allow your information to be stored in a “on-demand” centralized location. Electronic storage will need to be approved by Customs & Border Protection (CBP). *Your policies and procedures should require you to keep the originals for 120 days and all electronic records a minimum of 5 years!*
Policies & Procedures Comprehensively Documented – CBP expects to see that you have policies in place prior to an audit. The policy must ensure the preservation of integrity, readability, and security of the information contained in the original records. Include in your procedures a standardized retrieval process for your records.
Completely Crossed Referenced – If the document relates to information elsewhere, be sure to make that connection.
Exception Files – Your import/export records should be able to “tell a story”. Policies should require that any and everything be stored. If there was an email about it, store it. When in doubt, store it!
Audited Before Storage – Set up a procedure for internal auditing of your documents as they move to storage. Penalties may result for negligence and failure to maintain records. This could be $10,000 per violation and each missing document could be considered a violation!
Award Winning TRG
2009 Pros to Know
Mike Laden and Kelby Woodard of TRG Direct have been acknowledged as Supply & Demand Chain’s 2009 Pros to Know. Recipients of this award have personally helped clients address the challenges of the recession and prepare for the recovery ahead. Congratulations and well deserved!
ICPA Founders Awards
We can’t say we were surprised this March when Greg Hodge of TRG was awarded the 2009 ICPA Founders Award at the annual conference. A true advocate of the ICPA, Greg referred the most new members to the ICPA in 2009.
TRG attended another successful event hosted by the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) this past March. With educational sessions ranging from the Pros and Cons of Direct-filing to Understanding Incoterms, attendees were buzzing about the depth of knowledge presented at this conference. Mike Laden of TRG Direct presented Import/Export Recordkeeping Best Practices.
Recordkeeping Best Practices
Electronic – Keeping your records in an electronic format will allow you to expedite the document retrieval process as well as implement the following best practices. This will also allow your information to be stored in a “on-demand” centralized location. Electronic storage will need to be approved by Customs & Border Protection (CBP). *Your policies and procedures should require you to keep the originals for 120 days and all electronic records a minimum of 5 years!*
Policies & Procedures Comprehensively Documented – CBP expects to see that you have policies in place prior to an audit. The policy must ensure the preservation of integrity, readability, and security of the information contained in the original records. Include in your procedures a standardized retrieval process for your records.
Completely Crossed Referenced – If the document relates to information elsewhere, be sure to make that connection.
Exception Files – Your import/export records should be able to “tell a story”. Policies should require that any and everything be stored. If there was an email about it, store it. When in doubt, store it!
Audited Before Storage – Set up a procedure for internal auditing of your documents as they move to storage. Penalties may result for negligence and failure to maintain records. This could be $10,000 per violation and each missing document could be considered a violation!
Award Winning TRG
2009 Pros to Know
Mike Laden and Kelby Woodard of TRG Direct have been acknowledged as Supply & Demand Chain’s 2009 Pros to Know. Recipients of this award have personally helped clients address the challenges of the recession and prepare for the recovery ahead. Congratulations and well deserved!
ICPA Founders Awards
We can’t say we were surprised this March when Greg Hodge of TRG was awarded the 2009 ICPA Founders Award at the annual conference. A true advocate of the ICPA, Greg referred the most new members to the ICPA in 2009.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
TRG Direct Introduces MyFileIdea a Social Networking Site for Direct-Filers
TRG Direct invites you to engage with one another in our new direct filing forum, MyFileIdea. Modeled after popular social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, MyFileIdea offers you the ability to communicate with other users of the system in real time. Register Now!
MyFileIdea is a place to:
1) Interact with TRG Direct Users
2) Post Comments/Feedback/Ideas
3) Monitor System Updates
The greatest feature of MyFileIdea is that you can post your ideas on how to make the system work better for you.
This hub allows you to monitor the status of all the MyFileIdeas daily. Use this key to follow the progress.
Implemented: The idea was accepted and the programming changes have been completed.
Pending: The idea has been approved by TRG Direct and is awaiting implementation by the programmers.
Review: The idea is under review by TRG Direct.
Clarification: The idea needs further explanation by the user.
Alterations: The idea has been reviewed by TRG Direct and the company has some suggestions to make the idea more effective for all users.
MyFileIdea is also a place for prospective self-filers. This is not required, but we do ask that you take some time every now and then to engage with these users and help them determine if direct filing is right for them. Be honest with the experiences you have had with TRG Direct, both good and not so good.
Let’s Get Started! Register Now!
MyFileIdea is a place to:
1) Interact with TRG Direct Users
2) Post Comments/Feedback/Ideas
3) Monitor System Updates
The greatest feature of MyFileIdea is that you can post your ideas on how to make the system work better for you.
This hub allows you to monitor the status of all the MyFileIdeas daily. Use this key to follow the progress.
Implemented: The idea was accepted and the programming changes have been completed.
Pending: The idea has been approved by TRG Direct and is awaiting implementation by the programmers.
Review: The idea is under review by TRG Direct.
Clarification: The idea needs further explanation by the user.
Alterations: The idea has been reviewed by TRG Direct and the company has some suggestions to make the idea more effective for all users.
MyFileIdea is also a place for prospective self-filers. This is not required, but we do ask that you take some time every now and then to engage with these users and help them determine if direct filing is right for them. Be honest with the experiences you have had with TRG Direct, both good and not so good.
Let’s Get Started! Register Now!
Monday, February 22, 2010
ISF Day of Reckoning Arrives
ISF Day of Reckoning Arrives
It's safe to say that if your company is not filing the mandatory Importer Security Filing (ISF) for all maritime cargo bound for the US by today, that you can expect difficulty getting your shipment(s) released upon arrival in the U.S.
For more information on ISF filing and the most comprehensive easy-to-use system for filing ISF's and customs entries at a savings of up to 90% off ordinary costs please contact TRG Direct.
TRG Direct President Michael Laden has been very active attending CBP ISF Public Outreach Sessions at various venues around the country and in Europe. TRG Direct has been instrumental in working closely with CBP to ensure that all problematic system issues are addressed and remedied during this critical non-enforcement phase.
It's safe to say that if your company is not filing the mandatory Importer Security Filing (ISF) for all maritime cargo bound for the US by today, that you can expect difficulty getting your shipment(s) released upon arrival in the U.S.
For more information on ISF filing and the most comprehensive easy-to-use system for filing ISF's and customs entries at a savings of up to 90% off ordinary costs please contact TRG Direct.
TRG Direct President Michael Laden has been very active attending CBP ISF Public Outreach Sessions at various venues around the country and in Europe. TRG Direct has been instrumental in working closely with CBP to ensure that all problematic system issues are addressed and remedied during this critical non-enforcement phase.
Friday, February 5, 2010
What do I do if I get a No Bill on File Message with my ISF?
There are many reasons for No Bill on File messages when filing your importer security filing. Here are some causes and what you can do to rectify them:
1. The bill of lading will not match if you file the ISF before the BoL is entered into AMS. You do not need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
2. The bill of lading may not match right away if the goods hit several ports before coming to the US. The BoL may not match until it leaves the last port bound for the US. There is no need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
3. The BoL will not match if the wrong Bill Type is indicated. If the BoL is marked as a Straight bill in AMS but a House bill on the ISF, the bills will not match. If this is the problem, select the correct Bill Type in the Header Screen, Save changes, and retransmit the ISF.
4. If none of these solutions work and/or if the goods are about to leave the last port bound for the US and you still don't have a bill match, it is good practice to call to verify that you have the correct Bill Type, SCAC code, and Bill Number. If your BoL is wrong, update the ISF and retransmit. If all the information is correct, there is nothing you can do but wait for Customs to match it on their end. For some reason, some BoLs never match; this is why Customs will not be issuing fines or penalties for bill matches until their system is more refined.
At this time, Customs is not fining, and the way they are matching bills is still imperfect. The important thing to do at this time is to file an Importer Security Filing for every ocean entry.
1. The bill of lading will not match if you file the ISF before the BoL is entered into AMS. You do not need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
2. The bill of lading may not match right away if the goods hit several ports before coming to the US. The BoL may not match until it leaves the last port bound for the US. There is no need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
3. The BoL will not match if the wrong Bill Type is indicated. If the BoL is marked as a Straight bill in AMS but a House bill on the ISF, the bills will not match. If this is the problem, select the correct Bill Type in the Header Screen, Save changes, and retransmit the ISF.
4. If none of these solutions work and/or if the goods are about to leave the last port bound for the US and you still don't have a bill match, it is good practice to call to verify that you have the correct Bill Type, SCAC code, and Bill Number. If your BoL is wrong, update the ISF and retransmit. If all the information is correct, there is nothing you can do but wait for Customs to match it on their end. For some reason, some BoLs never match; this is why Customs will not be issuing fines or penalties for bill matches until their system is more refined.
At this time, Customs is not fining, and the way they are matching bills is still imperfect. The important thing to do at this time is to file an Importer Security Filing for every ocean entry.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
ISF Bonding Requirements by TRG l Register Now!
New bonding requirements for low volume importers
Save the date! TRG is hosting a free webinar to discuss the new bonding requirements for Importer Security Filing.
February 4th 11am CT Register Now
January 26th 2010 marked the official implementation of Importer Security Filing. Beginning this day all importers filing an ISF on their ocean cargo must have appropriate new bonding in place.
If…
1) You have a shipment entering the U.S. via ocean goods in the next year, and
2) You import using single transaction Customs bonds
…now is the time for you to take a look into purchasing a continuous import bond.
Multiple Single Entry Bonds or 1 Continuous Bond?
In the past, it was more economical for low volume importers to purchase single entry bonds. However, U.S. Customs now requires that if a single transaction bond is used to clear an entry, an additional single entry ISF bond to be in place. This increases the costs of single entry transactions; however, TRG has the solution.
Since 1991, TRG has provided continuous Customs bonds direct to importers. The continuous import bond will cover every shipment over a one year period (both entry and ISF).
Save the date! TRG is hosting a free webinar to discuss the new bonding requirements for Importer Security Filing.
February 4th 11am CT Register Now
January 26th 2010 marked the official implementation of Importer Security Filing. Beginning this day all importers filing an ISF on their ocean cargo must have appropriate new bonding in place.
If…
1) You have a shipment entering the U.S. via ocean goods in the next year, and
2) You import using single transaction Customs bonds
…now is the time for you to take a look into purchasing a continuous import bond.
Multiple Single Entry Bonds or 1 Continuous Bond?
In the past, it was more economical for low volume importers to purchase single entry bonds. However, U.S. Customs now requires that if a single transaction bond is used to clear an entry, an additional single entry ISF bond to be in place. This increases the costs of single entry transactions; however, TRG has the solution.
Since 1991, TRG has provided continuous Customs bonds direct to importers. The continuous import bond will cover every shipment over a one year period (both entry and ISF).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)