Top 10 Reasons to Direct File Customs Entries

If you are like most small to medium sized importersDirect-filing not only gives you greater control, but it
today, you have probably wondered about theputs you in closer touch with your foreign vendors
benefits and ease of filing your own entries directlyand suppliers. If a vendor´s documentation falls
with US Customs & Border Protection (CBP).short of expectations or is incorrect, the mistakes
Here are the ´top ten´ reasons why now may beare generally caught faster and repaired sooner.
the opportune time for you to consider filing yourAgain, this leads to greater consistency and improved
own import entries.levels of compliance and helps you meet your
#10 – <a rel="nofollow"obligation to exercise reasonable care.
onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '#6 – No one has more product knowledge
outgoing/article_exit_link']);" href=" Importer SecurityNo one knows more about your product line, or the
Filing"</a>material being imported, than your own employees. If
Now that the 10+2 ISF has officially been passed,questions arise during the classification or entry
direct filing is the way to go. TRG Direct has aprocess employees typically have access to
comprehensive parts database that keeps track ofspecification sheets, schematic drawings, the
every item you import. This helps you manage andmerchant or buyer and lots of other detailed
uniformly apply tariff classification, value, country ofinformation about the product being imported.
origin, quantity and Free Trade Agreements. As a#5 – Enhanced visibility
result, TRG Direct gives your company the flexibilityDirect-filing affords your company much greater
to adapt to new sourcing strategies such as 10+2.visibility into the entire supply chain and entry process
#9 – Improved supply chain velocityand helps your company become more efficient along
Using TRG Direct gives you the ability to pre-file yourthe way.
entries with CBP and actually obtain clearance#4 – Savings
information up to five (5) full days before the vesselWe believe most companies are more concerned
arrives at its US port of destination. Assuming yourabout their level of compliance than they are about
consignment isn´t targeted by CBP for examination,saving on entry fees. With that said, there could be a
pre-filed and pre-cleared shipments can be moved aswindfall of savings based on your volumes and what
soon as the vessel completes discharging. In someyou are currently paying a broker today for
cases you can actually take one or two full days outprocessing your entries. These reduced expenses
of your supply chain transit time resulting in greatermake your company more competitive by lowering
efficiency and improved cash flow.your overall landed cost and adding to your bottom
#8 – Because you´re probably already doingline.
most of the work#3 – More control
In many cases we´ve found that the majority ofDirect-filing gives you and your company much
US importers are already providing the essential entrygreater control over the entire import process.
data (such as tariff classification, value and origin) to#2 – Higher levels of compliance
their appointed broker. If that´s the case, theWith little exception, one of the most compelling
remaining data elements on the CBP entry documentreasons to consider direct-filing is improving your
are elementary in nature (such as vessel name andcompliance rate with CBP. No one will take greater
import date).care in the preparation and processing of an entry
#7 – Improved vendor/supplier interactionthat your own employees.