Customs clearance is one of the most critical stages of international trade, where every process must be handled accurately, efficiently and without omission. Each product should be assessed individually to determine the correct tariff classification and applicable regulatory requirements. This assessment should be carried out by professionals who understand not only customs regulations, but also your company and its international trade operations.
Our approach is based on verifying the accuracy and validity of each document in accordance with the applicable regulations, preparing customs declarations based on the results of this review, and having each declaration independently reviewed by a second specialist. This process is further supported by IT solutions designed to minimize human error and ensure accuracy throughout customs operations.
When customs processes are not handled correctly, businesses may unknowingly incur unnecessary duties, face avoidable TAREKS requirements or, if processes are managed only with short-term solutions, encounter unexpected penalties and investigations. Practices based solely on “this is how we have always done it” can quickly lose their validity as regulations evolve. The key lies in understanding, interpreting and applying customs regulations correctly. Building on this foundation to benefit from simplifications, facilitations and economically advantageous customs regimes, while managing processes faster and more cost-effectively, requires expertise and experience. This is where FOCUS makes the difference.
Supplier agreements, transfer pricing adjustments, intercompany cost allocations, debit and credit notes, commission invoices, and payments for molds, drawings, designs or capacity increases may affect the customs value of imported goods and give rise to additional declaration obligations. Errors in this area may result in penalties of up to three times the applicable duty difference. Therefore, customs valuation requires an understanding that extends beyond the purchase invoice to the transactions and financial arrangements before and after importation, ensuring that each element is properly assessed and declared where required. Customs valuation is one of our core areas of expertise.
Free Trade Agreements and regional cumulation systems such as the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) Convention and Western Balkans cumulation provide access to preferential tariff treatment, while bilateral and diagonal cumulation rules may affect the origin status of goods under different trade arrangements. As the origin of goods can directly influence import duties and provide a competitive advantage in export markets, we determine and assess the origin of goods for both import and export transactions to ensure the appropriate application of preferential trade arrangements.
Correct HS Code classification is essential not only for determining applicable customs duties, but also for identifying relevant trade policy measures and product safety requirements. An incorrect classification may jeopardize the entire import transaction, resulting in unexpected costs, commercial losses and significant penalties. Our experienced specialists provide accurate and reliable tariff classification to support compliant and efficient import operations.