Customs and Cooking

There are many instances when the word " extra " needs specific attention and focus.  - A project falling out of scope where extra research is required and additional filings are now necessary is an " extra " that will probably cost the client additional fees. - Extra attention to detail for export compliance. (See Blog post at:  https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/09/export-allergies.html ) - Providing extra insights, opinions, and options on how an importer can realign their supply chain for additional and extra efficiencies and cost effectiveness. Giving extra attention to detail can provide a more secure and compliant supply chain where risks of non-compliance and unexpected assessments can potentially be avoided. Similarly, some extra focus on a recipe and the ingredients used can provide a world of difference in the taste and flavor of the dish.                             ...

My sister Miriam Gisser and her family live in Columbus, OH. One morning, I receive a text with a picture (see below) and a caption stating, "Remember these?" Our dad always made us these awesome pancakes on Sunday mornings that made all of us smile and cheer. Turns out, my siblings and I are now making the same pancakes for our kids. Nothing like a smile in the morning! Food can be fun. The recipe for pancakes can usually be found on most pancake mix boxes. Just pour the prepared batter into a preheated and greased skillet to make the desired shape and add chocolate chips for the face and SMILE ! From a Customs point of view, many aspects of compliance and consulting can bring on a smile ! 1) Reviewing data to find a refund possibility for an importer 2) Providing guidance that will mitigate exposure to risk and penalties 3) Representing an importer/exporter with an appeal on a decision that Customs made and having the appeal overturn the previous decision rendered Many su...

I remember enjoying my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch at school. Today, my children don't experience the PB&J delicacy. We respect and protect those that have allergies, as the reactions due to allergies can be life threatening.  In the Customs world, I compare allergies to export controls. Without proper expertise, a business can literally "drop dead" if export controls are not taken seriously. The "reaction" to non-compliance and improper export declaration furthered by a lack of insufficient oversight of export regulations, can result in both monetary penalties and, at times, criminal charges. Now that is what I call a hefty allergic reaction to Export Allergies . To put it into perspective... I was called to assist with a seized shipment of goods and the exporter had not idea why the containers could not be loaded onto the shipping vessels. After review of the documents, I asked if an export declaration was initiated with the Customs author...

What a title! "Proactive Balance". What should be proactive and what is being balanced? There is usually never a week that goes by where I receive a call asking for assistance about something that happened (past tense). My team and I try to understand what occurred, try to untangle the actions that were implemented and then realign the actions in accordance with process, procedures, administrative policy and even sometimes legal precedents.  Then, there are the PROACTIVE calls. The calls where I am being asked for guidance about what to do. We discuss the business plan and scenario being researched and, at times, provide options that align with both the business plan and Customs regulations as well as provide other suggested avenues to explore due to any number of reasons like efficiencies, cost effectiveness, ease of implementation, etc. The proactive approach can cause some or even significant delays with respect to on-boarding the process of the business plan but in hindsi...

I was recently asked if a refund claim project could be initiated for duties paid for a company who's business number was no longer active. After reviewing the possibilities, it was determined that due to some outstanding debt owed to the Receiver General, that any claims approved would be used to off-set the debt owed to the Crown. An unfortunate set of circumstances both from the perspective of a company that had to shut down as well as from the lost opportunity to recover duties that were overpaid to the Canada Border Services Agency. How can companies who face financial instabilities utilize possible avenues of injecting funds back into their business? My first suggestion is that when conversations begin with accounting and legal firms to understand options and steps to take, discussions with a Customs Practitioner should be incorporated. There may be avenues to explore to find overpayment of duties that could assist in bringing back the financial stability that the corporation...

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines " Anniversary " as: " the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event ". ( https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anniversary ) For me, a notable event was a change in a lifestyle habit that I was able to eliminate. This event took place on September 4th, 2018. I just celebrated my three year anniversary of this milestone. Another event that some celebrate is their graduation year from elementary school, high-school and university. The class of 2021 will always remember the roads not taken due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, I think that because so many roads were closed, the upcoming opportunities that these graduates will face will not be lost but will be undertaken to replace the roads that could not be traveled on. Congratulations to both my daughters on their graduations from their respective grades. Both are key representatives of the class of 2021! Both my daughters have an amazing morning routine that co...

Ever played broken telephone? The final result is usually totally different than the starting message and the participants rave with laughter as to how one statement became something totally different. I want to start off with a story that may bring the point across with even more conviction. Below is a picture of a grocery list that I took with me to get items in preparation for a brunch we were hosting (pre-COVID). As I looked at the list, I asked myself why would I only buy 10 bagels. Shouldn't I get a dozen? As I bring the groceries home, my wife, life long partner and best friend (see Blog post: https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/07/partner.html ) asks me where is the smoked salmon (aka lox)? I said with assertiveness that lox was not on the list! She took the list and points to the word right beside "bagels" and asks me, "What does that say?"  I responded that it is telling me to get 10 bagels. We both stop and had one of the biggest laughs that w...