Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of automatically reimbursing a customs broker for payments made to a customs agency on behalf of an importer. The methods include procedures for balancing broker payments and for automatically verifying that data provided by the broker coincides with data provided with shipments of imported goods. The methods further include procedures for adjusting broker payments where deviations are detected in the verification processes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for automatically managing information relating to a customs agency's import regulations. The methods disclosed include procedures for maintaining import data according to the regulations as they become updated or changed. Also disclosed are procedures for interfacing with a plurality of software applications utilized for performing various steps of a method for managing import data according to the regulations.

Abstract: The disclosures herein relate to methods of managing customs data and shipment data. The methods include procedures for correlating various types of data related to a single shipment of goods, including data received from customs brokers and data received with shipments of goods. The methods extend to importing operations comprising many shipments of goods.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for implementing mass amendments that affect many line items and span many entries in a trade compliance system. Mass amendment functions allow a data field that is repeated in a plurality of records in the trade compliance system to be corrected without redundant data entry. A copy of the records that contain the data field is made. The copy may be exported into an external spreadsheet. A global edit, which makes the same correction in each repetition of the data field, is performed on the copy. The edited copy is uploaded into a database in the trade compliance system, to update the records while still preserving the data that existed in the data field prior to the global edit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that allow supplier information to be captured and processed for imported or exported products that have multiple supply sources. Each of the products may be classified under a plurality of HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes, which may then be assigned to the product. The assigned HTS codes may be entered and stored in a database of a trade compliance system. A plurality of certifications may be requested and obtained from the suppliers of the product. The certifications, which may include a COO certification or a NAFTA certification, for example, may be entered and stored in the database. Each certification may identify and certify one of the multiple supply sources for the product. Each certification may be associated with one of the plurality of HTS codes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auditing invoice and payment records are disclosed. A computer system may receive a plurality of invoices and payment records, compare one of the invoices to a matching one of the payment records to identify a discrepancy between the invoice and the payment record, calculate an error value as a function of the identified discrepancy, determine that the calculated error value exceeds a tolerance value, and generate an reporting the identified discrepancy. Methods and systems for balancing invoices and payment records are also disclosed. A computer system may compare dates and payment amounts of the invoices to dates and payment amounts of the payment records, and identify matches between the two. The computer system may then display lists of unmatched invoices and payment records for a user to manually examine.

Abstract: A Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS) that includes a decision tree for classifying products based on HTS codes. In one aspect, an analyst may access the TCS and select a commodity group appropriate for the product to be imported. Thereupon, the analyst may navigate through a decision tree which includes questions regarding the nature of the product (e.g., function, composition, etc.). The analyst finally arrives at a specific HTS code, which is assigned to the product. In other aspect, a company utilizing an internal classification system for its products creates an internal-to-commodity group map, thereby enabling an analyst to associate an internal classification with a relevant commodity group for classification purposes. In other aspect, the internal classifications may be mapped directly to an HTS code rather than to a commodity group.

Abstract: A method for auditing HTS classifications generated from entry packets submitted electronically by U.S. Customs Brokers. A software user interface enables a user to enter the submitted entry packet into a first repository in a centralized database. Executable layers of code links the database to the software user interface. A second repository contains information pertinent to HTS classifications. The user compares the entries in the second repository to the HTS classifications in the first repository. The user generates a report containing any discrepancies between the information contained in the entry packet to the internal classifications. The report can be used to identify errors in the importation process.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively processing errors in customs data transmitted to a customs broker are disclosed. A computer receives multiple sets of customs data from multiple importers, each set of data having its own format. The customs data are intercepted by the computer at a central processing division before the customs data are delivered to customs brokers from each of the importers. The computer converts the customs data to have a universal format, then processes the data to detect errors. Information about a detected errors, including correction data to resolve the error, may be transmitted to a customs broker before the customs broker detects the error in his own set of customs data received from the importer.

Abstract: A Two-Pass Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS). A classification analyst may preliminarily classify each product by comparing information about each product with information concerning HTS codes. The analyst may store these classifications in a repository in the TCS database. Subsequently, the information in the repository input by the analyst may be reviewed during a second pass by other personnel. The other personnel can review the information in the database for accuracy, taking into account other bases for classification.

Abstract: Auditing customs import-reporting data that are submitted on behalf of an importer by a customs broker to a customs agency. The methods include procedures for detecting discrepancies between product data and customs data, where the product data may be received after the customs data are received, and also procedures for resolving such discrepancies.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auditing invoice and payment records are disclosed. A computer system may receive a plurality of invoices and payment records, compare one of the invoices to a matching one of the payment records to identify a discrepancy between the invoice and the payment record, calculate an error value as a function of the identified discrepancy, determine that the calculated error value exceeds a tolerance value, and generate an reporting the identified discrepancy. Methods and systems for balancing invoices and payment records are also disclosed. A computer system may compare dates and payment amounts of the invoices to dates and payment amounts of the payment records, and identify matches between the two. The computer system may then display lists of unmatched invoices and payment records for a user to manually examine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auditing invoice and payment records are disclosed. A computer system may receive a plurality of invoices and payment records, compare one of the invoices to a matching one of the payment records to identify a discrepancy between the invoice and the payment record, calculate an error value as a function of the identified discrepancy, determine that the calculated error value exceeds a tolerance value, and generate an reporting the identified discrepancy. Methods and systems for balancing invoices and payment records are also disclosed. A computer system may compare dates and payment amounts of the invoices to dates and payment amounts of the payment records, and identify matches between the two. The computer system may then display lists of unmatched invoices and payment records for a user to manually examine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for implementing mass amendments that affect many line items and span many entries in a trade compliance system. Mass amendment functions allow a data field that is repeated in a plurality of records in the trade compliance system to be corrected without redundant data entry. A copy of the records that contain the data field is made. The copy may be exported into an external spreadsheet. A global edit, which makes the same correction in each repetition of the data field, is performed on the copy. The edited copy is uploaded into a database in the trade compliance system, to update the records while still preserving the data that existed in the data field prior to the global edit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described that allow supplier information to be captured and processed for imported or exported products that have multiple supply sources. Each of the products may be classified under a plurality of HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes, which may then be assigned to the product. The assigned HTS codes may be entered and stored in a database of a trade compliance system. A plurality of certifications may be requested and obtained from the suppliers of the product. The certifications, which may include a COO certification or a NAFTA certification, for example, may be entered and stored in the database. Each certification may identify and certify one of the multiple supply sources for the product. Each certification may be associated with one of the plurality of HTS codes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for auditing invoice and payment records are disclosed. A computer system may receive a plurality of invoices and payment records, compare one of the invoices to a matching one of the payment records to identify a discrepancy between the invoice and the payment record, calculate an error value as a function of the identified discrepancy, determine that the calculated error value exceeds a tolerance value, and generate an reporting the identified discrepancy. Methods and systems for balancing invoices and payment records are also disclosed. A computer system may compare dates and payment amounts of the invoices to dates and payment amounts of the payment records, and identify matches between the two. The computer system may then display lists of unmatched invoices and payment records for a user to manually examine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively processing errors in customs data transmitted to a customs broker are disclosed. A computer receives multiple sets of customs data from multiple importers, each set of data having its own format. The customs data are intercepted by the computer at a central processing division before the customs data are delivered to customs brokers from each of the importers. The computer converts the customs data to have a universal format, then processes the data to detect errors. Information about a detected errors, including correction data to resolve the error, may be transmitted to a customs broker before the customs broker detects the error in his own set of customs data received from the importer.

Abstract: The disclosures herein relate to methods of managing customs data and shipment data. The methods include procedures for correlating various types of data related to a single shipment of goods, including data received from customs brokers and data received with shipments of goods. The methods extend to importing operations comprising many shipments of goods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of automatically reimbursing a customs broker for payments made to a customs agency on behalf of an importer. The methods include procedures for balancing broker payments and for automatically verifying that data provided by the broker coincides with data provided with shipments of imported goods. The methods further include procedures for adjusting broker payments where deviations are detected in the verification processes.

Abstract: A Two-Pass Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS). A classification analyst may preliminarily classify each product by comparing information about each product with information concerning HTS codes. The analyst may store these classifications in a repository in the TCS database. Subsequently, the information in the repository input by the analyst may be reviewed during a second pass by other personnel. The other personnel can review the information in the database for accuracy, taking into account other bases for classification.