In the world of global business, getting your customs declarations right when sending goods abroad is crucial. According to PwC, companies are dealing with a constantly changing trade landscape, which can be a bit tricky to navigate. This blog is here to help you understand some common mistakes businesses make with customs duties so you can avoid getting hit with big fines in 2024.
When you're exporting goods, you have to be super careful about the details in your customs declarations. If you mess up, it can cause serious problems. PwC's research highlights that the trade environment keeps changing, adding more complexity and uncertainty. So, it's crucial to be on your game when it comes to customs declarations.
This blog aims to break down the common mistakes businesses make with customs duties. By understanding these issues, you can take steps to make sure your customs declarations are spot on, avoiding any fines or penalties that might come your way in 2024.
Let's keep it simple and look at some of these mistakes.
A common mistake made is missing or invalid information. If the information required for the custom declaration is not provided or is incorrect, the declaration will be re-jected, and the shipping of the goods will be delayed. For example, missing invoice information on the agreed terms of delivery will impact the travel journey of materials and products.
Incorrect custom classification is another common error. If the goods are declared un-der the wrong customs classification code, the declaration will be rejected, or the duty rate applied will be inaccurate. This can cause to overpayments or underpayments of duty, which can lead to penalties or assessments later on.
Another recurrent issue is misunderstanding the rules of origin. If the goods are eligible for preferential duty rates under a trade agreement, the declaration must include a proof of origin, such as a statement on origin or an origin declaration. However, many businesses do not understand how to determine the origin of goods, or how to comply with the origin procedures and requirements. This can lead to incorrect claims of preferential duty rates or missed opportunities to benefit from lower duty rates.
Navigating through all the rules and paperwork in international trade can be a bit overwhelming. So, how do you avoid making mistakes in this sea of regulations? The answer is pretty straightforward – TradePhlo, a trade tech platform with the power of ChatGPT AI capable of customs management, customs brokerage and inventory management.
What does TradePhlo do? Well, it's like a superhero that checks all the information you put in your customs declaration. If something's missing or not quite right, TradePhlo gives you a heads-up. It's like having a friend looking over your shoulder, making sure you're not missing anything important.
But that's not all! TradePhlo goes the extra mile. It helps you figure out the right customs code for your goods. You know, that code that tells customs what your stuff is all about. And guess what? It also gives you the lowdown on duty rates, taxes, and quotas for each code. It's like having a cheat sheet for all the important details.
Wait, there's more! TradePhlo doesn't just stop there. It goes into the nitty-gritty of product-specific rules and regulations that apply to your goods. So, you're not left scratching your head, wondering if you've missed something important. It's like having a trade expert in your corner, making sure you're on top of your game.
According to Saurabh Goyal, CEO of PhloSystems, the company behind TradePhlo,
“There is no platform quite like ours, it assists our customers in determining the origin of goods and whether they qualify for preferential duty rates under a trade agreement. It also helps generate and attach the proof of origin, such as a statement on origin or an origin declaration, to your cus-toms declaration. Furthermore, it keeps track of the latest changes and updates in the trade agreements and the rules of origin.”
To avoid delays and hefty fines and speed up the entire customs process, choose TradePhlo as your partner of choice. To find out more about TradePhlo visit: www.tradephlo.com
