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Our
Services
FOCUS
provides the following services:
Customs Management
One of the primary concerns of the U.S. Customs Service is
raising the compliance level of all importers. Customs’ efforts have
created a significant demand for in-house customs managers, however, there
is a definite shortage of qualified individuals.
FOCUS can
provide your company with a comprehensive customs management program. A
licensed professional from our management staff will be assigned to your
account to act as your customs manager. When necessary, additional members
from our staff will be assigned to your account creating a customs
department.
The more we understand your business, the better job we can do on your
behalf. Our personnel will become well versed in who and where your
suppliers are, fit, form and function of your purchased goods, your
manufacturing processes, your finished goods and your customers needs. Our
personnel have experience in manufacturing environments and fully
understand your just in time needs and day to day urgencies. Click here to contact us for further information.
NAFTA Services
More and more companies
have learned that outsourcing the NAFTA function is more cost effective
than undertaking the process internally. Additionally, by outsourcing the
process to a third party service provider, the work gets done more timely
and the proper back up documentation is created in the event of a customs
audit or NAFTA verification.
FOCUS
provides a complete NAFTA service which includes classification of your
purchased goods, classification of your finished goods, solicitation of
your suppliers for NAFTA certificates where necessary, NAFTA determinations
based on your bill of materials and responding to your customer requests
for NAFTA certificates.
FOCUS will
soon announce web-based solutions with secure online access to our database
enabling customers to obtain a status report on supplier response
information, number of parts certified and parts yet to be certified and
other data. Click here to contact us for more
information on NAFTA.
C-TPAT
Click here to contact us for more information
on C-TPAT.
Internal Compliance Reviews
An internal compliance review identifies two very important
issues for your company. First it identifies problem areas where you may
have an exposure to customs fines and penalties. Secondly, it can also
identify areas where costs savings may be realized.
In either case, an internal compliance review will almost always pay for
itself through penalties that may be avoided or where applicable, a refund
or reduction in duties. Areas that FOCUS will examine during a compliance review
include classification, record keeping, accounts payable, NAFTA, assists,
marking, valuation, etc. Click here to contact us
for more information on Internal Compliance Reviews.
Focus
Assessments
U.S. Customs has been increasing the number of Focus Assessments
done each year. If you have been selected for a Focus Assessment, it is
important you devote the proper resources to the task of preparing for the
review from the onset.
In preparing for a review, FOCUS will assist in the coordination and review
of the data requested in the customs questionnaire. This information
gathering process will usually identify areas of potential concern. FOCUS will provide the
company with information relative to prior disclosures and implement
procedures to prevent the same situation from recurring. Click here to contact us regarding more information
on pre-CAT reviews.
Valuation Review
Is the amount declared to customs the correct dutiable value? Do
you know the definition of an assist? Is the amount declared the same value
actually paid to your supplier?
Traditionally, valuation reviews by U.S. Customs discover areas of
non-compliance, resulting in payments of additional duties related to
assists. Assists are tools, dies, molds, monies, components, and charges
for R&D that are provided free or at a reduced cost and must be
included in the value declared to customs or separately declared to U.S.
Customs. FOCUS
can help you identify assists and other valuation issues that affect the
dutiable value of your imports. Click here for
more information on Valuation Reviews.
On-Site Training
FOCUS conducts on-site
training for your internal personnel. These training sessions are designed
to provide various departments within your organization customs information
specific to their needs. Many times companies don’t realize all the
different departments that can impact customs events. On-site training can
be very detailed on any one area or it can be geared towards teaching what
issues constitute "red flags". Areas of training include basic importing
requirements, NAFTA, other trade programs, marking regulations, valuation,
etc. Click here for more information on On-site
Training.
Classification Review
Proper classification of your imported goods is essential in
maintaining a high level of compliance with U.S. Customs and also in
lowering the landed cost of your purchased materials. A FOCUS classification
review involves a detailed examination of your imported goods and
discussions with various plant personnel.. FOCUS will properly classify all your
imported goods and provide you with a part number database as a finished
product.
In certain circumstances, FOCUS may suggest a binding ruling be sought from
U.S. Customs. Click here for more information on
Classification Review.
Duty
Drawback
Click here for more information on Duty Drawback.
Customs Policies and Procedures
FOCUS will write a customs
policies and procedures manual specific to your company. This manual will detail
your company’s policies and procedures concerning customs responsibility,
classification procedures, broker selection, audit guidelines and much
more. Click here for more information on Customs
Policies and Procedures.
Broker Review and Selection
Are you using the best customhouse broker for your particular
needs? Are you paying a competitive rate for their services? Are they doing
what you pay them to do? FOCUS has years of
experience dealing with customhouse brokers throughout North
America. FOCUS
can conduct a review of the services and fees charged by your current
broker(s) and make recommendations as to how you should better manage your
broker. Click here for more information on Broker
Review and Selection.
On-Loan Staff Support
FOCUS can provide you with
short term or long-term staff support. Fully trained individuals can be
placed in your facility to assist in your day-to-day customs operations.
Many companies find this an attractive option to hiring a full time
employee. Click here for more information on
On-loan Staff Support.
Recruiting
If you’re looking to hire a full time employee for your
customs department, check with FOCUS first. Our extensive network can help you
find the right person for the job. It’s very difficult for the average
employer to accurately determine if a prospective candidate has the
knowledge necessary to meet your job demands. Given the potential for
substantial fines and penalties in the customs arena, most employers can’t
afford to hire someone who can "learn as they go." At FOCUS, we ensure
applicants for your specific customs position are knowledgeable and possess
the other qualities attractive in a potential employee. Click here for
more information on Recruiting.
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