Resources

When it comes to managing and maintaining a compliant global supply chain immediate access to reliable information and sound advice is essential.  Below are links to our most recommended go-to sites.


Articles on the Rewards of Compliance
The proof is in: Importers and exporters who implement best compliance practices as part of an overall supply chain strategy experience greater operating and financial performance and hold a competitive edge in global markets. Did you know, for example, that an importer’s costs are reduced by more than 0.5% of the value of the goods for each day saved on import? That’s $1000 for every $200,000 of product!

A recent study by the Aberdeen Group reports findings by companies just one year after making the transition.

The University of Virginia surveyed C-TPAT participants in 2007. The survey cites benefits including up to seven times fewer inspections, improved supply chain efficiency and reduced costs.


Articles on the Risks of Non-compliance
Across safety and security issues, governments are collaborating more than ever via sophisticated enforcement networks. Hefty increases in fines and penalties for violators are also on the rise. Companies who lag behind in adopting good compliance practices also face costly ramifications in the marketplace as potential supply chain partners opt to do business only with low-risk enterprises.

International Business Training and Outsourced Logistics (previously Logistics Today) provide access to helpful articles on the risks of non-compliance.


Global Trader Essentials
One of the most common and costly mistakes companies make in their compliance efforts is concentrating solely on today’s regulations and not keeping watch on (or participating in) changes in the making. A close second is being concerned solely with U.S. regulatory frameworks and not paying heed to global initiatives. The sites below provide up-to-date access to critical information.

· Global Import and Border Protection Trends: World Customs Organization

· Global Export Control Trends: UN 1540 Committee

· Global Trends on Classifying and Transporting Dangerous Goods: UN Committee of Experts on the Transport of
  Dangerous Goods (TDG) and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS)


U.S. Importer Essentials

· U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Trade and Border Security

U.S. Exporter Essentials

· U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

· U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

· U.S. Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

Essentials for Shippers of Dangerous Goods (Hazardous Materials)

· UN Model Regulations

· Education and Policy Activism: The Dangerous Goods Advisory Council

· Global Air Regulations: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association   (IATA)

· Global Ocean Regulations: International Maritime Organization

· U.S. Regulations: Department of Transportation Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Five Key Questions

 
  1. Does your company have a compliance department or resident global trade expert on staff?

     

  2. Do you have an internal compliance program manual, with a process for its continuous update?

     

  3. Do you utilize the very latest import, export and dangerous goods requirements to process every shipping transaction?

     

  4. Do you have written safeguards in place to ensure that your vendors, customers and overseas representatives adhere to appropriate security procedures?

     

  5. Do you have criteria in place for selecting new business partners?

     

  6. Does your senior management expressly support your company’s commitment to global trade compliance?

     

  7. Do you have training and awareness programs in place that let your employees know how they are accountable and empowered to uphold your company’s efforts toward preventing safety and security incidents, and stemming the threat of terrorism?

If you’ve answered “no” to any of these questions, Adams Consulting can help.  Call or email us to get started today!

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