Your global customs &
trade advisory partner
Import
We provide import advisory services on a range of import related topics, such as customs classification, valuation and duty exemptions.
Export
We can assist you with the relevant export regulations, licensing and Certificate of Origin when preparing to export your goods overseas.
Supply chain
Supply chain management and strategic planning are key in customs and trade. We can assist your business with optimising your import/export model and targeting new markets.
OUR MISSION
We advise on customs and international trade
Our mission is to deliver practical solutions by focusing on your import/export compliance requirements, strategic planning for value creation and managing your international customs and trade challenges. We have global experience and expertise to optimise your cross border activities through a full range of advisory services.
Our core business
What we focus on
At Poldertrade we aim to help businesses reduce their global trade expenses, managing their import and export risks, and enhance their supply chain proficiency.
We provide practical advice based on a comprehensive view of your business, its operating markets, and industry trends that offers long-term solutions.
The global customs and trade environment with its various global customs and trade rules, regulations and compliance requirements presents businesses with many opportunities for minimising duty costs. For leveraging these opportunities, understanding of the customs valuation, classification and origin is vital for businesses as well as aligning the customs planning strategies to the direction of the business.
Logistically, international trade is a tricky undertaking, even more so from a customs and international trade regulatory perspective. Opportunities may arise from the rules and compliance requirements but also challenges which may be seen as serious risks to businesses. Poldertrade takes a global perspective with local expertise to assist businesses with their customs and trade compliance activities by performing self-assessments, implementing SOPs, and applying advance rulings.
Non-compliance is often the costliest factor of customs and trade management. Disruption in supply chains and affecting the business’ reputation are major risks deriving from non-compliance besides potential back duties or penalties. It could also affect the issuance of import/export licenses that may lead to disruption of manufacturing and distribution facilities resulting to non-delivery of goods to customers. Not adhering to trade embargoes may lead to additional examinations by authorities and customer reductions. Authorities also tend to be unpredictable, inconsistent and less transparent in regard to handling of non-compliance.
Our services
What we offer
Our customs and international trade services include advice on:
Import
Customs valuation is the determination of the customs value of imported goods. The customs value provides the basis for assessment of the customs duty payable which is usually a percentage of the customs value based on the transaction value.
Poldertrade can help determine the correct customs value based on the applicable valuation method and the rules covered in the Customs Valuation Agreement.
Services include customs valuation planning, determining the customs value, as well as ruling application.
The Harmonised System (HS) code is globally used to categorise products. Proper classification is essential to ensure compliance, the right amount of import duties businesses have to pay for faster clearance of goods, and the avoidance of penalties.
Poldertrade can support to enhance compliance with tariff classification requirements, support in declaring classifications, and planning for duty advantage.
Services include determining the accuracy and supportability of declared HS codes, advance rulings by connecting with customs authorities, as well as eligibility for Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) benefits or duty exemptions.
Customs authorities are proactive in challenging, auditing, and investigating foreign or multinational operators deriving from increased revenue targets.
Poldertrade can assist businesses in managing their customs audits, disputes and investigations.
Services include performing self-assessments, creating processes and procedures for customs and trade compliance, assist in dealing with Customs and developing a strategy during an audit or dispute.
It is essential for businesses to comply with all import requirements and regulations.
Poldertrade can help businesses managing their trade compliance on past and current transactions.
Services include conducting customs compliance reviews (“health checks”), implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), training and securing advance rulings.
Customs authorities are proactive in challenging, auditing, and investigating foreign or multinational operators deriving from increased revenue targets.
Poldertrade can assist businesses in managing customs audits, disputes and investigations.
Services include performing self-assessments, creating processes and procedures for customs and trade compliance, assist in dealing with Customs and developing a strategy during an audit or dispute.
A bonded facility or warehouse is operated by a company in a foreign country under the regulatory supervision of the local customs authority. It is mainly used to defer the payment of customs duties.
Poldertrade can help businesses to benefit from bonded facilities, such as Free Trade Zones (FTZs), bonded manufacturing, and bonded storage.
Services include identifying available options for businesses and its requirements, application support by facilitating the application process with the relevant authority and its supporting documents, as well as compliance reviews for the usage of bonded facilities.
Trade facilitation programmes aim to increase the competitiveness of the private sector and promote foreign trade as well as preferential trade treatment to accredited importers, exporters and their agents.
Poldertrade can help businesses identifying available programmes. The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme is the most common one.
Services include analysing potential costs and benefits from participation, process improvement measures implementation for accreditation, as well as assisting with the application process.
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an agreement between member states to form a free trade area. Preferential treatment can be achieved by businesses if they meet certain criteria for their imported products which is mainly based on the tariff classification. This can result in lower or zero customs duty rates but also other preferences, such as the removal of quotas.
Poldertrade can assist companies determine their products’ origin for preference purposes or what processes need to be met for a product to be deemed as originating. In addition, FTAs have compliance rules that specify operational requirements, such as direct shipment or a Certificate of Origin (CO) submission.
Services include identifying available FTAs to your supply chain, analysis of product coverage and its potential duty rates, cost-benefit analysis, rules of origin, qualifying criteria, feasibility study, and compliance requirements.
Duty exemptions are offered by governments through certain specialised programmes, such as FTAs, Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), etc. where specific criteria need to be met.
Poldertrade can help companies to reduce customs duties, related supply chain costs, and improve operating performance through customs duty exemption schemes.
Services include identifying relevant duty exemption schemes, analysing potential costs and benefits from participation and implementation of the compliance processes to apply for such schemes. In addition, we can help with a continuous review of compliance involving various requirements, such as registrations, licenses, permits, inspections and documentation required.
Export
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is a widely used document in international trade which attests that the product stated therein has met certain criteria to be considered as originating in a particular country. It is usually prepared by the exporter or manufacturer and submitted to a customs authority of the importing country to justify the product´s eligibility for entry or entitlement to preferential treatment.
Poldertrade can assist companies determine their products’ origin for preference purposes or what processes need to be met for a product to be deemed as originating.
Services include a cost-benefit analysis, understanding of the rules of origin, qualifying criteria, feasibility study, and compliance requirements.
Export control is legislation that regulates the export of goods, software and technology. Some items could potentially be useful for purposes that are contrary to the interest of the exporting country. ‘Dual use’ items (goods and services that are potentially used in both civil and military applications) are also controlled which affects businesses that are involved producing technical advanced products and services.
Poldertrade can help businesses to understand their export control risks, determine which products are controlled and developing the controls and procedures necessary to manage their export operations in a compliant but practical manner.
Services include analysis of the business’ exposure and products that are controlled under what conditions. Performing a gap analysis of controls and procedures against better practice as well as voluntary disclosure of historical export controls violations to the relevant authority.
A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an agreement between member states to form a free trade area. Preferential treatment can be achieved by businesses if they meet certain criteria for their imported products which is mainly based on the tariff classification. This can result in lower or zero customs duty rates but also other preferences, such as the removal of quotas.
Poldertrade can assist companies determine their products’ origin for preference purposes or what processes need to be met for a product to be deemed as originating. In addition, FTAs have compliance rules that specify operational requirements, such as direct shipment or a Certificate of Origin (CO) submission.
Services include identifying available FTAs to your supply chain, analysis of product coverage and its potential duty rates, cost-benefit analysis, rules of origin, qualifying criteria, feasibility study, and compliance requirements.
Supply chain
There are many factors that are relevant when a company considers selling their products into a new market. These include legal and regulatory requirements, economic opportunity, operational considerations and many more. What is easily overlooked or underestimated is one of the first challenges impacting the entry into a new market: clearing customs.
Poldertrade can help businesses to prepare for new market entry with the available facilities making the physical market entry process efficient and effective.
Services include identifying and analysing the impact of relevant regulations and its practical implementation as well as discussions (no-name basis) with the relevant authorities for insights and expectation purposes. Additionally, we can provide opportunity assessments of trade facilitation or duty reduction options, including Free Trade Zone (FTZ) opportunities and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) feasibility analysis as well as support with registration and licensing.
Increasingly multinational companies are looking at options to restructure their business operations to better respond to global market needs.
Poldertrade can help businesses strategise their customs and trade activities prior to implementation of a new business model to avoid extra costs and challenges by Customs.
Services include change management assessment, determining potential operational hiccups and calculating import duties cost variations. Approval, license and authorisation applications as well as advance discussions with the relevant authorities and assistance with queries, challenges and disputes.
Our industries
What our clients do
Our expertise in customs and trade advisory services covers a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, chemicals, energy & mining, healthcare, manufacturing, retail & consumer, and technology.
Aerospace
Manufacturers and distributors of aerospace products who trade internationally are often dealing with complicated, risky processes when navigating local customs regulations and export controls.
Automotive
Trade policy in the automotive industry, including customs and tariff policies, continues to impact global automotive supply chains, making it increasingly complex and challenging.
Chemicals
The chemicals sector has experienced tremendous change as most production shifted to emerging markets.
Energy & Mining
The energy and mining industry include various customs and trade considerations and challenges in all phases of the oil and gas upstream and downstream activities.
Healthcare
Significant developments in the healthcare industry are impacting business models from a customs and trade perspective, including due to increased consumer safety and licensing requirements.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing companies need to manage complex (industrial) product classifications, duty mitigations programmes, and how to potentially benefit from a multitude of FTAs.
Retail & Consumer
The retail and consumer industries require significant considerations, from competitive pricing to supply chain security with emerging markets becoming increasingly important to consumer products businesses and international retail.
Technology
Technology businesses are traditionally one of the most impacted by tariff classifications and customs valuation due to their innovative developments which tend to conflict with conservative customs and trade regulations.
Our team
We deliver through a dedicated team
Our cross-functional team consists of specialists from a variety of backgrounds including customs and trade experts, industry specialists, and practitioners who are familiar with global trade and practice.
Poldertrade is a global customs and trade advisory services provider. Our focus is on advising companies with their import/export activities and provide customised solutions that are compliant with the rules and regulations both from local expertise and global perspectives.
