Bring it back to doe...

Some key phrases and songs from specific movies always remain with you. One such song is from the 1965 classic, "The Sound of Music".
What I would like to focus on is "to start from the very beginning, a very good place to start."
"When you read you begin with A B C"
"When you sing you begin with Doe Ray Me..."

As the song continued...
"La a note to follow sow".
"Tea I drink with jam and bread".
"and that will bring us back to doe!"

I interpret this to mean that with every adventure, task, and vision, something or another will almost always bring you back to where you started. The finish line in a race is usually close to where the race started. The trip that one takes usually ends with one coming back to the originating location.

One might call this back to basics or ensuring that a review takes place.
(See Blog about Review at https://customsandcooking.blogspot.com/2021/04/review.html )

With Customs, there is also a need to come back to the starting position and to review various aspects of compliance constantly.
Let's provide an example.

On January 1, 2022 the World Customs Organization (WCO) has announced updates to the HS/HTS (Harmonized System/Harmonized Tariff Schedule) nomenclature. As an example, an item classified today under one HS code could be realigned with a totally different HS code in 2022 with the current HS code continuing to be valid for other products.
What happens if a product database, that was thoroughly reviewed some time ago does not undergo a review with taking into consideration the WCO updates?
What happens is that the item is declared inaccurately and in an audit can expose the importer to duty and tax assessments as well as penalties for non-compliance.
But the database was previously reviewed?

Hence, the song that you start singing is with a doe based on the review of the database and continue on with various shipments, looking at the rays of sun. Enjoying the fact that as an individual you are a me and that is what you call yourself you are very content that the imports taking place are going smoothly and that you do not have to run far to produce a compliant supply chain. You encounter a bit of a hiccup due to some document issues. Nothing that some needle and thread won't fix as you sow everything back to align with compliant best practices. With all these best practices, you sing with cheer and use la as a note to express to all team members how everything is coming together. Sitting down after a long day to a cup of tea and maybe some jam and bread feeling relaxed that all is going well.
But all of a sudden, you notice that you better get back to doe. If you forget to circle back to the beginning and not review the database and appropriate HS codes, all the success and supply chain best practices that have been accomplished will evaporate as the changes were not taken into consideration.

A bit of a lengthy analogy based on a truly amazing song but a lesson to understand and take into consideration.

Customs compliance is not a "do it once" task. It is a continuous effort to ensure that as rules and regulations are updated that the tasks of realigning your supply chain and compliance mandates continue to be implemented.

Without it, forget about the jam and bread. 

Speaking of jam and bread, let's talk about back to basics with food. 


Not always does a recipe have to be complex and the meal does not have to have 3 courses.
A simple dish that allows for everyone to enjoy the recipe sometimes does the trick.

https://www.amazon.ca/Kosher-Design-Short-Susie-Fishbein/dp/157819072X 
Page 84 of the above noted cookbook provides a fantastic salmon salad recipe.

Salmon
Cut into cubes a boneless and skinless salmon fillet. (1.5 lbs. fillet)
In a bowl, mix 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 2 teaspoons teriyaki sauce, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/4 teaspoon wasabi powder.
Add the salmon cubes to the bowl and toss.
On a bake sheet, place the salmon cubes in a single layer.
Bake for about 12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Salad
Chop 1 large head of romaine lettuce
Slice a half an English cucumber into half moons
Season with salt and pepper (to taste)
Toss with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Plate the salad and then place the salmon cubes on top. sprinkle with white/black sesame seeds.
Enjoy!

Cooking also has its best practices and requires that the basics continuously be practiced. 

With the upcoming WCO tariff classification updates, be sure to return back to the "doe". Return back the database and initiate those amazing best practices that were done originally. 

For Customs, Cooking and singing...
Start from the very beginning. A very good place to start.

Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

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