The EU’s Union Customs Code (UCC) provides the possibility of imposing national conditions or requirements for the status of customs representatives. Customs representatives, also known as Customs brokers, are the professionals that "clear" goods through customs barriers for importers and exporters. This involves the preparation of documents and/or electronic submissions, the calculation and payment of taxes, duties and excises, and facilitating communication between government authorities and importers and exporters. Custom brokers may, for example, be employed by or affiliated with freight forwarders, independent businesses, shipping lines, importers, exporters, trade authorities, and customs brokerage firms.

As of July 1, the Netherlands requires these customs representatives to meet Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) criteria, with the hopes of improving the quality of data they supply in their customs declarations.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is leveraging the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system to implement a Single Window with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs). As a result, importers must now prepare all data elements prior to the arrival of goods.  Considering 10-75 data points must be declared at the time of admission, importers must find a way to ensure that the correct information is being submitted in a timely manner.

Customs organizations around the world are finally modernizing their systems. Importers will be able to eliminate manual processes, improve visibility to trade flows, and more easily comply with applicable laws and regulations. The WCO (World Customs Organization) labels this type of system as a “Single Window” where Customs effectively centralizes the collection of data and distributes it to all required agencies to realize a coordinated and more efficient border control.

Risk is a fact of life for any supply chain, whether it’s dealing with quality and safety challenges, supply shortages, legal issues, regulatory and environmental compliance, or natural disasters. Luckily, companies can take a proactive approach to risk management to ensure their global supply chains are insulated.

Although importers are becoming savvier in managing their global import operations, their advances in sophistication and technology deployment are being offset by increased external complexity. Importers seem to be forever chasing a moving target.

As the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to play an increasing role in regulating trade, 2014 will bring about big changes at the agency, which will directly impact importers and exporters. Attorney Peter Quinter, who chairs the Customs & International Trade Law Group of GrayRobinson, P.A., has compiled a list of 10 predictions about where CBP is headed: