Global Trade and Customs Consulting Services

The HS is used by more than 200 countries and economies as a basis for their customs tariffs. Virtually all commodities traded internationally must be classified in HS-based tariffs when they are cleared through customs, or for other purposes, both at their origin and their destination.

HS Classification product by Maersk helps companies establish and maintain accurate, compliant, and optimised classification of their goods in a strategic and holistic manner, using cutting-edge technology to automate the classification process.

The service is delivered using selective automation powered by Maersk Classify tool deploying the latest technology, with an advanced expert analytical system and AI layered on it, to handle most of the regular classification tasks. The tool is used in combination with manual checks for complex classification cases where technology still cannot guarantee 100% accurate determination of commodity codes.

Our team of experts will provide the following services for you:

• We will classify your goods in the HS or an HS-based tariff of your choice, or verify the accuracy of the classification and product descriptions already established, or transpose commodity codes to a given tariff
• We will support you in the migration to new versions of the HS and tariffs to ensure smooth and timely implementation of regulatory changes
• We will help you apply for binding advance rulings to obtain a written decision on the treatment that your goods will receive at the time of importation or exportation
• We will provide a high-level advocacy support to your organisation in complex or contentious classification cases as you deal with authorities at different levels.

We help you drive savings by making use of opportunities like Free Trade Agreements, inward/outward processing, duty drawback, recovery of overpaid duties, VAT recovery on exports and bonded warehousing, among others.

By analysing your article registries and supply chain data, we identify specific regimes that could be most beneficial for you. We quantify the savings available and offer recommendations on how to achieve them. We help you implement optimisation strategies and build your in-house capacity to ensure that you benefit from these advantages in the long term.

We will assess the risk of non-compliance with customs and trade regulations and develop and implement recovery plans to address the challenge. We undertake gap analyses to assess the impact of new regulations and the steps required to get ready. We help you engage with government agencies in appeals, voluntary disclosures and help you prepare for audits. We can also provide expertise to fill short or long-term gaps in your compliance management capacity, and we help build your in-house capability to stay on top of risks in the long term.

Our areas of expertise include classification, valuation and origin, export controls and sanctions, customs regimes such as warehousing, inward processing, etc., ESG-related regulations such as Forced Labour, and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism).

With upcoming legislation changes like CBAM that affect cross-border movement of certain goods, our team will help you stay updated with all the recent developments and guide you through the changes. To know more about CBAM and the steps you need to take to be compliant, click here.

AEO or Authorised Economic Operator is an international WCO standard (SAFE Framework of Standards) to certify secure, compliant and low-risk supply chain operators. Acquiring the AEO status means that the certified entity is legislatively compliant, financially transparent and follows the required security standards, and qualifies the company for customs facilitations that save money, aid cash flow, and streamline procedures.

Maersk’s AEO Guru Service includes support for application to become an AEO/Trusted Trader; support to ensure you maintain your AEO or Trusted Trade status, and preparation for AEO audits. We also provide software support for your AEO needs through market-leading digital compliance tools.

In a globalised post-pandemic world, customs competence and knowledge ensure compliance and security, and can also help drive savings and optimisation. Maersk’s Digital Customs Academy is the first digital platform for customs professionals. The programs are conducted by expert tutors who can guide students through the different courses.

It is powered by Maersk and the UK Institute of Export & International Trade, two global leaders in customs education. The courses are built on standard modules and elements, which can also be reconfigured for a solution that fits your needs. Standard programs are:

• Basic Introduction to Customs Course
• UK Customs Academy Levels 2-5 (including academic accreditation)
• EU Customs Academy Levels 2-3

Click here to visit the Digital Customs Academy and start your course today.

Border Management Consulting supports governments to reform, modernise and transform their customs, trade and border environment in line with international standards and best practices. Our expertise covers key areas, such as:

• Authorised Economic Operator / Trusted Trader
• Risk Management
• Border Management
• Single Window and Digitalisation
• Trade Facilitation

We can deliver transformation projects and deploy our experts to complement government agency resources and manage the day-to-day operations of certain services. For example, our team can conduct the audit and accreditation of companies applying to become authorised economic operators.