Until recently, imports and exports were reviewed on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Penalties were minor, and previous infractions were not taken into consideration as customs agencies were not sufficiently automated to efficiently track compliance.

Today, the standard across all major trading blocs is to shift the responsibility of classifying and valuing merchandise to the importer. 

Since AMPS (Administrative Monetary Penalty System) was implemented in 2002, Canada Customs has issued millions of dollars in penalties for numerous contraventions it has disclosed in the enforcement of import and export regulations.

The message is clear -- companies must take corrective measures to validate the integrity of their supply chain, while ensuring the accuracy of all trade documentation and reliability of their reporting systems and processes (Customs invoices, NAFTA certificates, purchase orders, bills of lading, receiving reports and accounting documents). Firms who fail to widen their scope of compliance review from yesterday's reality are inviting escalating monetary sanctions and significant financial exposure.
 

In today's more rigorous trade compliance environment, it's no longer a question of IF you will be audited, but WHEN.

A proactive approach however can net dividends for your company, including diminished financial risk, cost certainty and streamlined internal processes. Are you in a position to be proactive? GHY International can help you determine where you stand with a comprehensive trade review.

We view our business as relationship driven and have structured our own operations to reflect that priority. Our approach to working with large-scale importers and exporters include regularly scheduled meetings to review changes in the Canada and US customs regimes, as well as providing an assessment of their overall compliance situation and helping to develop an action plan setting the course for any future procedural and systemic reforms needed to ensure they are fully prepared when Canada or U.S. customs call.
 

At GHY, we pride ourselves on our professional approach to working with clients on Canadian and US customs issues. We support our clients with timely information, insightful analysis, relevant reporting, and tailored recommendations.

We have been facilitating international trade for over 100 years and can rely on a similar number of combined years of professional experience in the field of customs and international trade consulting.

There's nobody that understands today's trade issues better than we do. We're confident that we can conduct a Trade Review for your firm that will comprehensively "custom-ize" your business and minimize the potential exposure to risk of monetary penalties associated with new regulations enforcing trade compliance.

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