ARE YOU SURE YOU KNOW THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR YOUR GOODS

With the increase in free trade agreements with the United States and other countries, we are also seeing an upswing in enforcement activities by Customs in verifying the correct country of origin. Although, these agreements can provide real benefit in your business, not understanding these agreements and substantiating the claim can be costly not only in additional duties, interest but the possibility of penalties and fines.

Each FTA contains different eligibility rules and tariff phase-out schedules that must be observed in order to qualify. The mere fact that goods might be exported from a country eligible for either free or reduced duties and/or fees does not mean the value of the product or its manufacturing processes meet all the requirements necessary to fall under the FTA and makes informed compliance challenging.

John S. Connor strives to ensure these compliance challenges are adhered too. For this reason, we will be increasing our efforts to solicit information to establish whether or not your products comply with all the necessary requirements of the FTA being claimed. These additional efforts are being done to assist and guide you through the entry process to ensure complete compliance and reasonable care.

If you have any questions, please contact your account representative or local import manager.