When the kids are away...

It's summer vacation!
All my kids are away at camp. This allows for a more relaxed schedule and maybe even allows for me to prepare some meals that we usually do not serve.

Exhibit A


CHICKEN WINGS!!!

I defrosted a package of wings. (Thanks to my mom for buying the wings for us the last time my mom and dad came to visit!)
Spray the grill lightly with some cooking spray before turning on the BBQ.
Place wings on the BBQ at a low heat.
Turn wings periodically.
Increase heat, continue to turn. (BBQ temperature should be at about 250-275 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Wings are ready when they are a dark golden brown.
For the wings I made (see picture), it took just under 90 minutes.
Place cooked wings in a large bowl.
Add your choice of sauce. (I added a regular BBQ sauce.)
Toss the wings and the sauce together until wings are covered in the sauce.
Allow to cool a bit and serve. (Or keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.)
My wife and I had the wings with some rice and frozen veggies.

Wings tend to get very messy. So we do not serve them at home often. I am sure the kids will ask me to make this again when they return.

And that is just the exact issue I wish to discuss in relation to Customs.

Importers have staff going on summer vacation. Customs agents and officers, in many jurisdictions, take summer holidays. These holidays can be for a couple of days and sometimes could last weeks and even a month or two.

Summer vacation  does NOT mean that compliance takes a back seat. On the contrary. If I were a Customs officer, one of the criteria for audits would be to focus on import declarations made in the summer. The chance for error (even if it is an "honest" mistake) could be much higher in the summer than other times of the year. And interestingly enough, many industries have their largest shipping seasons in the summer preparing for the fall and winter shopping seasons.

When staff members are on vacation, it is important to action a process to ensure that compliance remains top of mind. Whether there is someone else within the organization to monitor compliance or there is an action plan to initiate a formal review of all Customs issues that took place while the responsible individual(s) were on vacation, keep compliance at the forefront of any plan of action when staffing is reduced.

Taking vacation is very important for staff and associates. Supporting vacation schedules for the betterment of each individual is a best practice for any organization.

However, take note that "when the kids are away", it does not give an allowance to lower the level of compliance.
Vacations will end and the kids will be back.
I am prepared to make the wings again for the kids upon their return.
Importers should be prepared to verify the necessary issues that have arisen as soon as the team is back at full strength.

ENJOY THE SUMMER!!!

Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

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