Record Keeping

What are the record keeping requirements for ATA Carnets? Does the record keeping requirement begin when the export takes place, the import take place, or once the carnet expires?

Questions for those in the apparel industry: Illegal transshipment can occur in any country, obviously some more likely than others. Since we are on the hook to maintain records for five years, we require our factories to also maintain records for five years to support origin. Cutting and sewing tickets are typically important records to […]

How long are exporters required to wait before destroying ITAR controlled export records? Does ITAR have a specific time period in which export records must be retained (similar to the 5 year time frame Commerce specifies in the EAR)?

I have been challenged to change our record keeping system as allowed in 19 CFR 163.5. Presently, we receive hard copy documents from our broker that includes their invoice, CF7501, CF3461, and all commercial invoices & back up documents. We are also suppose to receive any emails that relate to that specific entry as they […]

We were told by our broker that the shipping mark on our paperwork that has the country of origin on it suffices for recordkeeping requirements?????? Can you verify???

Record Keeping- Related to Courier services are copies of Airway bills required to be kept as an Import record? It is a real battle, as everyone knows, to get the CF 7501 and Commercial Invoices from a Courier who acts as a customs broker. My understanding is a copy of the AWB is a required […]

I am looking for a software package that is designed to assist importers and exporters with recordkeeping requirements. Our company, like most, have several different reference numbers used on any given customs entry, for example, PO#’s, CI’s, MAWB, HAWB, Broker file #’s, etc…… We are looking for a system that we can input all of […]

Our company uses a specialized freight forwarder to handle international trade shows. They primarily work with the Marketing and Exhibitions departments. The trade show forwarder handles the export freight forwarding and also the US import Customs clearances through its appointed customs brokers. The entry copies are sent to the Marketing or Exhibitions departments. The import […]

My company is putting a new computer system in place. With the new system they would like to have a paperless file for each cut that we manufacture, and still be Customs Compliant. My company has clothing manufactured in Various locations. We are the Importer of Record on only 10% of our shipments, generally our […]

Would any of our members care to share the format of information presented to the customs regulatory office when applying to use an alternative method of record keeping? I have a general understanding of the required information under section 163.5 (b)(2) from the regs, but I am interested if there is a required format in […]

The International team currently manually enters the following information into an Access table for each entry: Carrier TEV File # Entry # Origin Entry Date Vendor Name Air/Ocean/Road 20’/40’/40’hc/45′, nbr of containers by size PO Broker Fee Duty Do other companies do this as well? If not, what information from the entry packets do you […]

For companies utilizing alternative recordkeeping processes, how long do you retain the original document? 19CFR 163.5 states 120 days. Has anyone successfully negotiated a shorter period? Would you be willing to share your strategy?