Import Management is designed to automate and execute the key processes and regulatory requirements associated with clearing a foreign-sourced shipment through Customs. In addition to the visibility and control you would expect from a best-in-class import management software, the solution offers an array of specialized tools and controls, assisting global trade professionals to execute critical import activities from pre- to post-entry. As a result, Import Management helps your company ensure compliance with complex trade laws and regulations while generating competitive advantages by avoiding hidden costs and reducing process cycle-times.
Import Management is workflow-enabled to aid in the control and execution of the overall trade process. As a result, corporate trade personnel are provided proactive visibility to critical data and/or documentation requirements in advance of the shipment’s arrival, thus preventing damaging delays, costs, and/or regulatory exposure.
Import Management provides access to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) — the internationally recognized tariff nomenclature system developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization.
Furthermore, the solution offers ongoing access to current country-specific tariffs. As updates occur, Import Management automatically provides the updated tariff to the system. The solution will ensure that the user’s database has been updated, and will flag any obsolete codes. Import Management can also be configured to provide an alert when new HS codes are added.
The most critical process of every importation is the proper ‘Classification’ of the incoming products with the correct commodity codes. The resulting code is arguably the single most important data element as it is used by Customs to identify the goods, determine eligibility requirements, and charge appropriate duties/taxes. An Importer’s failure to apply the correct commodity code (even if using a third-party), can result in incorrect duty payments, delays due to missed admissibility requirements, and even custom’ penalties for repeated errors.
Classification Worksheet: The Imports Classification Worksheet is designed to assist the user in documenting a product’s key attributes and other details — as well as supporting documentation such as pictures, technical drawings, product brochures, Customs Rulings, Certificates and others — for use in determining the good’s correct commodity code.
GRI Wizard: The GRI Wizard is a key supporting tool in the form of an automated logic-tree. The GRI Wizard has been designed to walk the user through the complex General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs), as a further means to help ensure that the correct commodity code is selected. A resulting determination can then be scheduled for a supervisor’s review, or automatically saved to the Product Classification Database as immediate support for a pending import. All worksheet details, supporting notes and documents are archived as a best practice in support of a Customs’ audit.
Classification Workflow: Leveraging QAD’s standard ‘workflow’ functionality, the system will provide visibility to the key tasks associated with creating a new product Classification.
QAD Import Management complements and integrates with your system of record to build a comprehensive item master/product database that captures product attributes to flag key data, documentation and screening requirements, including commodity codes.
The Item Master Database serves as a repository for all product and vendor information. The IM allows the user to proactively identify goods with potential admissibility, shipping, licensing or documentation requirements. The IM supports a centralized process where regional trade compliance operations exist.
QAD also allows for multiple import and export commodity codes to be assigned to items based on country. The proper codes are then utilized for all documentation and customs reporting purposes.
Once a product Classification has been established, QAD Import Management allows a user to perform a comparative analysis between two or more potential source countries. This will allow users to identify vendors that may offer an advantageous duty rate, such as eligibility for Duty Free entry under a Free Trade Agreement
QAD Free Trade Agreement (FTA) provides the tools to determine origin for 470+ global FTAs recognized by the World Trade Organization, as well associated required documentation for any industry in every region of the world. FTA origin determination is done in real-time with every order shipment and creates a permanent audit trail of the origin determination results associated with transactions that are processed in the system.
Free Trade Agreement Certificates of Origin expire over time. QAD’s solicitation tool allows for automated targeted emails to be sent requesting Certificates of Origin for the materials supplied. Further filtering can be done such as to only solicit Certificates of Origin for non-shifting materials since those that shift do not need to originate under a free trade agreement. This feature greatly reduces the number of emails going out as well as saves time vetting the inbound material data.
The QAD Import Management solution has been equipped with functionality that checks your selected HTS Code against a requirements database for issues that would need to be addressed as a condition for import, such as Partnering Government Agency requirements, special invoice data requirements, ADD/CVD, special tariff alerts, and more. These flags help the user proactively comply with any admissibility requirements before the shipment arrives, while user-defined business rules can trigger escalated alerts and even compliance-related holds if a key requirement is not met.
QAD Import Management provides electronic advanced shipping notices for early visibility. The user is automatically alerted if any documentation or data is incomplete. As a result, the user can proactively address any outstanding admissibility requirements.
QAD Import Management automates import documentation production. Documentation is created in the correct format and in the correct language. This functionality includes:
QAD provides an Importer Security Filing (ISF) template for companies bringing goods into the US via ocean carrier. The template supports all 12 key data elements which are required to be filed with US Customs at least 24 hours prior to the goods being loaded on board the vessel. With the QAD Import Management solution, users will have the options of either providing the ISF data to their Customs Broker for filing, or self-filing directly to Customs, thus saving on Broker service fees.
In addition to the ISF template, QAD Import Management also gives users the option to create their own Customs Entry, thus providing the ability to perform an internal Pre-Entry audit of their data before submitting it to Customs (an industry-best practice). Once the Entry is audited, users will then have the additional option of either pushing the completed Entry to their Customs Broker, or becoming a ‘self filer’ and electronically filing their Entry directly to Customs – both of which can generate immediate ROI by reducing/eliminating Broker service fees.
The Import Management solution comes equipped with Operational Dashboards designed to support ‘management by exception’ by providing a snapshot of pending shipments, thus allowing personnel to focus on those which may have issues or outstanding requirements. User-defined metrics and Key Performance Indices compliment the dashboards, providing managers with a complete set of data for understanding and honing Trade Compliance and operational efficiencies.
