If you are being attacked by a stronger opponent, sometimes you need a strong shield. Korea Customs is such an opponent with all the power of the government behind them, how can importers protect themselves?
One defensive shield available is the ‘ACVA’ program.
Topics: Asia, Export Consulting, Import Consulting
With the Brexit in full motion, the Britons should never have to worry about the infamous Euro-sausage ever becoming a threat to the English banger again. That should put many an Englishman at ease (watch the 1984 Christmas Special of the BBC’s “Yes Minister” if you are pondering the origin of this joke). The prospect of losing the liberty to fill up at the gas station though, is probably less of a laughing matter, especially if petrol and diesel powered vehicles have been a way of life for at least the last 60 years if not longer.
Topics: Asia
The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has benchmarked the successful US Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program and decided to establish a similar program in Korea for importers to use. Similar to the US, the ISA process starts with membership in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). Korean AEO import companies are eligible to utilize the newly implemented ISA program, which is expected to become effective this month.
This is one of those scenario’s we see all the time:
Asia Customs Broker: Hello, Mr. Ahmad, we are sorry. The customs manual documentation cannot be completed because we are missing the HS codes. Can you provide us with the correct one so that we can proceed with the permit application and import declaration, please?
Logistics Employee: Can’t you check our previous shipments? This is not the first time we have imported similar materials into our warehouse! You should have all the details!
Topics: Asia, Free Trade Agreements, HS Classification
I’ve just joined Tradewin Asia from a large European industrial and consumer company where I was responsible for regional Asia trade compliance. Almost every week, I would receive emails or telephone calls which required immediate attention. Common inquiries included: “URGENT! Cargo stuck at port!”; “No FORM D/E”; “The business is asking why we have to pay extra duties now.”; “Why nobody is telling us we need special licenses?”
Those were the days, when we didn’t have any compliance regime in place. No internal trade policies or standards, and everyone was doing whatever they felt was right. Norms and bad habits just continued on. Occasionally, I was praised for implementing good practices. Sound familiar?
Topics: Asia
