Trade facilitation ADVISORY SERVICES

We help businesses in East and Southern Africa locate export markets for their products and give customs compliance and management advice.

IDC IS your partner in international trade

In today's globalized marketplace, where supply chains span continents and regulatory landscapes are constantly evolving, the expertise and guidance of a consulting firm can make all the difference to your business’s success.

Cultivating International Success for our clients

At IDC, we bring a deep well of knowledge and experience in navigating the complex web of international trade regulations and customs procedures. We stay up-to-date with the latest changes in trade laws, tariffs, and compliance requirements, ensuring that your business stays in full adherence and avoids costly penalties.

We offer our clients invaluable insights into market trends and trade risks for new and current export markets. Our target market analysis takes into account geopolitical factors, currency fluctuations, and trade disputes, allowing your business to proactively adapt to changing conditions. This foresight helps mitigate risks and seize opportunities, ensuring long-term success in international trade.

Our Services

  • a Market Research and Analysis:

    • Conduct in-depth market research to identify potential export markets.

    • Analyze market conditions, trends, and demand for the client's products or services.

    • Assess market entry barriers, competition, and regulatory requirements.

    b Due Diligence and Qualification:

    • Assist in screening and qualifying potential business partners, distributors, or agents in the target market.

    • Conduct background checks and assess their financial stability and reputation.

    • Payment Terms and Negotiation:

    • Advise on appropriate payment terms, such as letters of credit (LCs), open account, or advance payment.

    • Assist in negotiating favorable terms with international buyers to ensure payment security.

    c Risk Mitigation:

    • Develop strategies to mitigate foreign exchange risk, including hedging options and currency risk management.

    • Evaluate political and economic risks in the target market and recommend risk mitigation measures.

    d Export Compliance:

    • Ensure full compliance with export regulations, export control laws, and sanctions in both the client's home country and the target market.

    e Freight Forwarder Selection:

    • Identify and evaluate reputable freight forwarders and logistics providers.

    • Negotiate competitive shipping rates and terms on behalf of the client.

    f Documentation and Customs Compliance:

    • Assist in preparing and organizing the necessary export documentation, including invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin.

    • Ensure compliance with customs and import regulations in the target market.

    • Tariff Classification Analysis: Help importers accurately classify their imported goods according to the Harmonized System (HS) codes to determine the appropriate duty rates.

    • Import Duty and Tax Assessment: Calculate import duties, taxes, and fees applicable to imported goods, optimizing cost management.

    • Customs Valuation: Ensure compliance with customs valuation methods and assist in determining the correct value of imported goods.

    • Origin Verification: Assist in determining the origin of goods to meet rules of origin requirements for preferential trade agreements or duty exemptions.

    • Customs Documentation: Provide guidance on completing and organizing necessary import documents, including commercial invoices, bills of lading, and certificates of origin.

    • Trade Compliance Audits: Conduct regular audits of import activities to identify and rectify compliance issues before they lead to penalties.

    • Customs Broker Selection: Assist in selecting reputable customs brokers to handle import transactions efficiently.

    • Customs Bond Compliance: Help importers maintain compliance with customs bond requirements, ensuring uninterrupted imports.

    • Incoterms Consulting: Advise on the appropriate Incoterms for import transactions to clarify responsibilities and liabilities between parties.

    • Export Control Classification: Assist in classifying exported products under export control regulations and ensuring proper licensing and documentation.

    • Export Documentation: Provide guidance on completing and organizing export documents, such as the commercial invoice, packing list, and export declaration.

    • Export Licensing: Help exporters obtain the necessary export licenses and permits for controlled goods and technologies.

    • Export Compliance Training: Offer training programs to educate employees on export compliance regulations and best practices.

    • Denied Party Screening: Implement systems and processes to screen potential business partners against restricted party lists and embargoed countries.

    • Export Recordkeeping: Establish recordkeeping procedures to ensure compliance with export documentation retention requirements.

    • Sanctions and Embargoes Compliance: Keep exporters informed about sanctions and embargoes imposed by governments and assist in compliance.

    • ITAR and EAR Compliance: Ensure compliance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) for defense and dual-use items.

    • Export Control Assessments: Conduct assessments to identify and rectify potential export control compliance issues.

    • Export Compliance Audits: Conduct regular audits of export activities to ensure adherence to export control regulations.

  • a Customs Special Procedures Guidance:

    • Assistance in identifying and applying for customs special procedures, such as bonded warehousing, inward and outward processing, and temporary admission. Development of strategies to optimize customs duty and tax savings through special procedures.

    b Access to Government Trade Facilitation Instruments:

    • Support in obtaining Advanced Rulings from customs authorities for clarity on customs classifications, valuations, and other matters.

    • Assistance in achieving Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status, offering priority treatment and reduced customs inspections.

    c Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Design:

    • Development of customized SOPs for import and export processes to ensure compliance with customs regulations and efficient operations.

    • Regular updates and revisions to SOPs to align with changing customs requirements.

    d Customs Compliance Audits:

    • Conduct comprehensive customs compliance audits to assess the effectiveness of import and export operations.

    • Provide recommendations for corrective actions and improvements.

    e Duty Minimization Strategies:

    • Analyze import and export processes to identify opportunities for duty and tax minimization.

    • Implementation of strategies such as tariff engineering, valuation adjustments, and preferential trade agreement utilization.

    f Customs Training and Workshops:

    • Conduct training sessions and workshops for client teams to enhance their understanding of customs regulations and compliance best practices.

    • Keep staff updated on changes in customs procedures and requirements.

    g Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

    • Evaluate potential risks in customs compliance and trade operations.

    • Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.

    h Trade Facilitation Program Enrollment:

    • Help clients enroll in government trade facilitation programs, such as trusted trader programs and single window systems.

    • Streamline documentation and processes through program participation.

    • Website Development and Redesign: Create or redesign websites optimized for export markets, focusing on user experience, mobile responsiveness, and multilingual capabilities.

    • SEO Optimization: Conduct comprehensive SEO audits and develop strategies to improve website visibility in international search engines.

    • Content Localization: Adapt website content, including product descriptions, blog posts, and landing pages, to resonate with target markets and cultures.