Record Keeping

QUESTION: Our company current works with a Shelter IMMEX company in Mexico who manages all the packing and shipping on our behalf for export orders. The items are shipped on a consolidated invoice into the United States and then distributed from our Broker/Freight Forwarder’s warehouse to their end-destination, usually on the FCA Port of Export […]

QUESTION: What documents are required for shipping and receiving record retention? What is the length of time they need to be stored? Can you maintain the goods receipt in an ERP system (such as SAP)? ========== Answers: You’re question doesn’t specify if you’re asking about imports or exports. However provided no licenses are involved, records […]

QUESTION: What are the exact documents that are necessary for recordkeeping purposes as it relates to Section 321 US Imports? I can see that if it the manifest is being used as the entry document the HTS and Entry Summary are not required but I am wondering what are the required documents for importers to […]

QUESTION: It is my understanding that record keeping requirements are stated in CFR Title 15, part 762 and CFR 19, part 163 for exporters and importers. I recently changed jobs, my new place told me that they do not keep records in house and their forward/ broker retains them. My understanding is that this is incorrect and they should be kept […]

QUESTION: Does anyone in the membership keep their US import records for 6 years (default)  to cover recordkeeping requirements for the ISF rather than the 5 years required by the regulations for the other documents?  We changed our recordkeeping policy to 6 years after the ISF was implemented, but I am wondering if we should […]

QUESTION: If importing on DDP terms from suppliers in Europe, (meaning my company is not the importer of record) am I still liable for keeping the files/filing entry #, etc? ********** Answers: Since your company is not the IOR, you are not required to have a copy of the entry on file. You can request […]

QUESTION: Our company currently maintains paper documents for our shipment files which contain transportation and customs clearance information to comply with US recordkeeping requirements. Our company is adopting policies that will allow more employees to work from home either scheduled or in case of bad weather. This would require associates to take shipment files home […]

QUESTION: As an importer of record, what percentage of entries should be audited solely for keeping compliance? ========== Answers: I think this depends on your pre-entry processes.  If you do not provide any input pre-entry, you had better audit every entry.  If you have good pre-entry processes (preventative), then you can set lower percentages on […]

QUESTION: We are planning to move to an electronic record keeping process and would like to get feedback from other members of the group as to how they are obtaining entry documents from your clearing brokers and  how are you keeping your entry documents stored electronically? *********** Answers: You just have to advise CBP in […]

QUESTION: As an importer we have written notification since 2013 from CBP to retain our import documentation as paperless recordkeeping. Per CFR standards 19CFR 163.5(b)(2) alternative method we use for paperless recordkeeping is CD ROM, would it still be compliant if we convert over to using USB Flash drives? In the CFR regulations it is […]