As supply chains grow more sophisticated and import requirements proliferate, importers face a daily challenge in meeting and maintaining their import compliance responsibilities. Arent Fox assists companies in developing systems and tools that are tailored to meet their unique circumstances, manage their compliance risks, and facilitate a smooth supply chain.

Arent Fox customs professionals routinely conduct risk assessments for companies of all sizes and develop rational compliance systems and all of the materials necessary to implement such systems. Based on a company’s import profile, we develop training materials that we present onsite or via web-based applications. And we work with its key supply chain partners including brokers, shippers, freight forwarders, and vendors to facilitate the smooth implementation of these systems and procedures. We also are well versed in the challenges facing new and small importers, and advise on issues such as the right to make entry, bonding requirements, evaluating and selecting customs brokers, and powers of attorney.

In addition, Arent Fox works with clients to properly classify and value imported merchandise, considered the “nuts and bolts” of importing. Our experience advising clients in virtually every major sector has provided us with a breadth of product knowledge that, coupled with our extensive classification capabilities, helps clients secure classifications with the lowest, legally correct, duty rate. The evolution of sophisticated supply chains raises complex valuation issues including related party transactions (transfer pricing), royalties, offshoring R&D, assists, and others, and our decades of experience position us to provide informed advice in these areas. We also work with clients’ tax advisors in developing valuation strategies that rationally achieve a company’s tax objectives and customs compliance obligations.

As we better understand our clients’ priorities and risks, our clients call upon us to evaluate the growing number of customs/trade programs, including Importer Self Assessment (ISA), C-TPAT, Simplified Entry, and Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEE). We are well positioned to prepare companies for entry into these programs.