Business Excellence Consortium

Preparing for a Customs Audit

All importers are subject to the regulatory authority of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and risk being audited by the agency. CBP has two primary audit formats: Focused Assessment and Quick Response Audits. While each of these is intended to be light and unobtrusive, importers have found audits can be disruptive to their normal business processes and they can result in severe regulatory action if they are not prepared.

This day-long program is divided into three sections designed to prepare you for an audit:

1. A review of import regulations that Customs explores during an audit.
2. A in-depth view of the processes Customs uses to audit an importer
3. A discussion of steps importers should be taking to raise import compliance competencies and awareness within their companies.

What will be covered:

• A review of reasonable care standards
• A review of the core import competencies of value, classification, country of origin, duty, and recordkeeping
• In-depth discussion of the CBP audit process and standards
• A discussion of steps importers can take to prepare and defend themselves during an audit
• A review of an import compliance manual
• Development of a plan for self-auditing a corporate import program

Who should attend?

This course is designed as a follow-on course to the US Import Fundamentals Course, but all importers with some experience are invited to attend. The course is targeted at:

• Individuals with responsibilities for controlling the import process in their organization
• Import supervisors
• Import managers
• Internal auditors
• Financial controllers
• Senior operations management.
• Trade compliance professionals will find this an excellent opportunity to review their control strategies for their import programs.
• Strategic business and functional leaders will find this course provides perspective regarding the often overlooked trade compliance risks associated with importing.

Upon completion, you will:

• Have a better understanding of regulatory risks
• Know what to expect within a Customs audit
• Know how to design a policy and procedure manual
• Be able to develop an outline for identifying trade compliance risks within your organization
• Be able to evelop an action plan for addressing trade compliance risks within your organization

Attendees will also receive a comprehensive study guide.

About the instructor

John D. Goodrich is an International Trade Consultant and Licensed Customhouse Broker with twenty-five years of experience in international trade. He is an engaging trainer, speaker, and writer on a variety of international logistics and compliance subjects including:

• NAFTA
• US Import Regulation
• US Export Regulation
• Harmonized Tariff Classification
• Letters of Credit
• International Logistics
• INCOTERMS 2000

Mr. Goodrich has written six books incorporating these subjects. He is also a frequent contributor to online newsgroups.