How An Effective Trade Compliance Program Saves Money

Trade compliance programs save manufacturers of goods with overseas supply chains thousands of dollars in duties, fines, and penalties.

According to a 2019 federal study, President Donald Trump’s tariffs and subsequent retaliation by targeted countries have resulted in higher costs for U.S. manufacturers.  “The [study] results indicate that the tariffs, thus far, have not led to increased activity in the U.S. manufacturing.”

Add to that the global pandemic and the worldwide economic slowdown, and it is apparent that manufacturers across all industries must look for cost-saving measures wherever they can.

Many companies may not realize that critical savings can be found through better compliance programs.

Risk Mitigation and Savings

Global manufacturers should aim for comprehensive trade compliance as a risk-mitigation measure as well as a positive value proposition.

A strong compliance program can provide employees with the tools they need to ensure they are keeping costs like duties as low as possible in order to improve the company’s bottom line. For example, procedures designed to ensure products are assigned the appropriate Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) classification and country of origin can help your company mitigate these additional costs and avoid fines for errors.  A comprehensive program can also ensure that the special rules and exclusions associated with “Section 301” duties on products from China are applied correctly in order to take advantage of opportunities to avoid high tariffs.

On the other hand, failure to have a strong compliance program can result in increased legal exposure, potentially leading to fines and penalties. For example, a proactive compliance program might have protected importer Pure Circle U.S.A., Inc. from a nearly $600,000 penalty imposed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for entering a sweetener manufactured in China with prison labor.

Compliance violations and the lack of a compliance program damage companies’ reputations and hinder business opportunities. As investigations and violation enforcements increase, investors are conducting more extensive due diligence–through extensive screenings of employees and customers, as well as audits of company records–to ensure their investment does not carry compliance liability.

Who’s in Your Chain?

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) encourages organizations subject to U.S. jurisdiction to “employ a risk-based approach to sanctions compliance.”

Compliance procedures should be based on who is part of your international supply chain. U.S. entities run the risk of fines and penalties if they use suppliers that do business with countries like Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and even China. A restricted-party screening process should be a part of your regular compliance procedures in order to flag any entities included on the U.S. government’s various lists of “restricted” entities and persons who pose threats to United States national security.

How Are Your Products Being Used?

Engaging in the global supply chain is crucial for maintaining a competitive business. However, without a deep understanding of product classification and export controls, your business could be at risk.

Licenses are required to export certain items. Whether a license is needed is determined using a product’s Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). The Department of Commerce classifies items under ECCNs based on the nature of the product and its technical parameters. A key to determining whether an export license is needed is knowing whether the item appears on the Commerce Control List. Products that do not have an ECCN and do not appear on the U.S. Munitions List are designated EAR99, but even EAR99 products are prohibited from going to sanctioned destinations.

You must also be aware of the risk associated with a “deemed export”: a release of technology or source code to a foreign person in the United States. If you release technology to someone from a sanctioned or restricted country, you could be liable.

Recommended Steps for Ensuring Compliance and Mitigating Risk

If your company has not invested in a compliance program, it should–the sooner, the better.

Effective compliance programs are predicated on five essential components: management commitment, risk assessment, internal controls, testing and auditing, and training.

Your trade compliance policy and procedures should:

• Include an independent and objective testing or audit function.
• Be updated regularly in light of constantly changing regulatory and business environments.
• Have comprehensive coverage to review all parties involved in import and export transactions.
• Avoid government-prohibited end use (even products that seem harmless can be used in ways that companies do not intend, and you are responsible for knowing how your products will be used).

Now more than ever, government offices and agencies are providing industry with guidance on how best to comply with trade regulations. The U.S. Department of Justice released updated guidance in June 2020 on evaluations of corporate compliance programs.

With all this information available, companies no longer can claim ignorance and must take preventive measures to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and provide some cover for potential violations.

Reprinted with permission from the October 16, 2020, issue of Industry Today. © 2020 Industry Today. All Rights Reserved.