U.S. Customs Audit Preparation

Is Your Company Ready for an Audit – Today and Tomorrow?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) is intensifying audits across all industries, with particular scrutiny on valuation accuracy, country-of-origin claims, and eligibility for special tariffs. These audits can hit with little notice, extend for months or even years, and carry penalties potentially reaching millions of dollars, making proactive compliance essential. The smartest way to protect your business? Build a robust compliance framework now — before CBP calls.

Why Customs Audits Matter:

Disruptive: Diverts critical resources from your daily operations.
Thorough: CBP scrutinizes valuation methods, origin claims, supplier documentation, and recordkeeping.
Costly: Penalties can exceed duties owed, with severe cases triggering criminal investigations.

What to Expect from a CBP Audit

CBP audits vary widely — from quick questionnaires to deep-dive investigations lasting years:

Focused Assessments: Comprehensive audits that can span years.
Referral Audits: Triggered by perceived risks or third- party tips.
Risk Assessments & RASAs: Shorter, detailed examinations.
Broker Audits & Import Specialist Inquiries: Targeted reviews that may expand if problems arise.

Regardless of type, you’ll be expected to produce critical documentation such as:

Entry summaries (CBP Form 7501)
Bills of lading or airway bills
Commercial invoices & packing lists
Bond information
Detailed proof of valuation calculations (including assists, royalties, transfer pricing adjustments)

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