Record Keeping

Record Keeping

  • RECORDKEEPING FOR SUPPLIER DROP SHIPMENTS

    QUESTION: A US company (A) buys from a US vendor (B) , who drop ships to the end customer (C) on behalf of the US company (A).  The export is to Canada, so no AES filing is required.  The vendor (B) ships to the end customer (C) under DDP terms, then bills the GST back […]

  • IMPORT RECORDKEEPING ALTERNATIVES

    QUESTION: For Import (Customs) Recordkeeping requirements under 19 CFR 163.5(b) and “alternate forms of storage”, when electronic versions are mentioned they are outdated methods such as microfiche, CDs, & machine readable.  Can the Membership share what “electronic methods” are practical and meet Customs requirements? I know that emails are not sufficient, but would like to […]

  • RECORDKEEPING PROCESS VALIDATION

    QUESTION: Company X (IOR) has not kept Customs Entry Docs for the past 5 years.  Company X claims that as long as the Customs Broker retains all Docs,  they do not need to hold such Customs Records for the 5 year period because 1.)  the broker could retrieve any entry docs within a 30 day period […]

  • ELECTRONIC RECORDKEEPING

    QUESTION: Our company is going to rename various legal entities in the US, Canada, and EU. I was informed that once we rename the company name in our ERP system, we cannot reproduce the ERP shipping document as original. If I get the audit and reprint the document from our ERP, it will show the […]

  • CBP Response for Digital Recordkeeping

    QUESTION: I sent a letter to CBP on November 12 to request an alternate digital method of recordkeeping beginning December 15 since the regulations While most of our records are received electronically, we have a few that documents that are sent as paper originals. These are mainly endorsed Bills of Lading that we need to […]

  • Recordkeeping FTP

    QUESTION: We receive our records from our Brokers as hardcopy and store them for 5+ years based on the Recordkeeping requirements. If we switch to FTP (have our Brokers upload our documents directly to us electronically), do we need to apply for Alternative Method of Storage? %%%%%%%%%% ANSWERS: No, I would retain them simply in […]

  • RECORDKEEPING DISCLOSURE

    QUESTION: What is the requirement or a best practice for length of retaining records pertaining to voluntary disclosures? Are they different for Commerce (BIS or Census) and State or other relevant agencies such as Treasury (OFAC)? ************ Answers: At least five years from the date of the last related transaction/activity. ================================================================

  • CUSTOMS RECORDKEEPING PDF

    QUESTION: I am an export professional who is relatively new to the world of import, and I was hoping for some advice on record keeping. I would like to keep import records electronically as PDFs on our company’s drive, with the broker serving as a backup. However, this is where I run into confusion – […]

  • Import Record Req.

    QUESTION: I am an export professional who is relatively new to the world of import, and I was hoping for some advice on record keeping. I would like to keep import records electronically as PDFs on our company’s drive, with the broker serving as a backup. However, this is where I run into confusion – […]

  • Electronic Recordkeeping- Do we still need to write CBP

    QUESTION: We are moving to electronic recordkeeping. I know in the past Customs required written notification to store electronically Is this still required? Answers: Yes, a written request to customs must be made to create a paperless system. ************* See 163.5 Methods for Storage of Records in the regulations. ************** Yes, it is still required. […]

  • CBP WAIVER FOR ELECTRONIC RECORDKEEPING

    QUESTION: My company receives documents (invoice, packing list, CO, etc.) electronically via email from our overseas suppliers. These documents are in Excel so they do not contain company stamps or signatures. They also send original documents that are sent signed or stamped. Other than the signature, the documents are identical. With the exception of the […]

  • CUSTOMS ATTORNEY AND DISCLOSURE

    QUESTION: The Importer I work for was under CBP audit at the time I was hired. The audit had been ongoing for a couple of years and they had a prior audit a couple of years before that. We have two prior disclosures out for valuation, classification and ADD/CVD. Our counsel (CBP Attorney and the […]