These [tariff mitigation] strategies aren't new. It's just in this environment, they've become more crucial. I did want to end on good news, in that there are ways to mitigate the impact and things that companies should focus on.
Customs & International Trade Services
Identifying planning opportunities and enhancing compliance
Managing cross-border trade transaction complexity
Global import and export requirements touch every piece of your business and must be considered holistically to effectively manage total tax liability and reduce compliance risk.
Tariff classification, customs valuation and country-of-origin rules — the “customs triangle” — pose complex legal and regulatory challenges. By taking a proactive approach to customs and international trade compliance and planning, businesses can reduce their risk and hone their competitive edge through quicker decision-making, more accurate cost predictability and smoother import and export clearance processes.
BDO’s partner-led team includes industry professionals, licensed customs brokers, export compliance officers, licensed attorneys, and accountants. We work with clients to provide effective support for global trade compliance, including:
- Designing and improving internal procedures and processes
- Reviewing compliance programs for effectiveness of controls
- Analyzing supply chains to reduce duty and other indirect tax payments
- Identifying refund or credit opportunities and reducing indirect tax cash leakage
Our customs and international trade team tracks evolving ESG and supply-chain dynamics and requirements. We work with your team to decrease risk, increase profitability and effectively manage your import- and export-related responsibilities.
How BDO Can Help
Enhance Import/Export Strategy
Create or update strategies for trade management and compliance with the tax and regulatory obligations triggered by cross-border transactions.
Reduce
Costs
Take advantage of all available opportunities to reduce duties, obtain duty refunds and decrease indirect duty/fee cash leakage.
Decrease Risk & Exposure
Review internal compliance programs and import/export controls to reduce exposure and mitigate risk.
Improve
Compliance
Remediate compliance issues and resolve enforcement actions to reduce penalty exposure and other negative financial impacts.
BDO Talks Tariffs: Webcast Series
This webcast focuses on president Trump's emphasis on tariffs as a tool for advancing U.S. foreign and domestic policy. It will provide up-to-date information on the Administration's trade policy, Presidential Proclamations, related congressional and legislative actions, and agency investigations.
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Importers must understand the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to avoid potentially damaging business impacts, including loss of merchandise and reputational harm. This Act requires importers to confirm that the goods they import are not produced with forced labor in whole or in part in the Xinjiang region of China. A broader law in effect since 1930 prohibits any imports into the U.S. made in whole or in part with forced labor. Businesses should work with suppliers to establish appropriate controls and assess supply chains for potential exposure to forced labor.
Support Across the Customs Triangle
By focusing on tariff classification, customs valuation, and country of origin, we help businesses improve their global duty spend and reduce risk and exposure.
Tariff Classification
- Review and classify goods under the global Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System and local rules
- Determine applicable rates of duty for tangible good imports and other regulatory requirements
Customs Valuation
- Review intercompany valuation agreements and other documentation
- Develop appropriate support for pricing formulas based on income tax and customs valuation rules
- Help companies employ alternative valuation methods to lower duties and other customs fees
Country of Origin
- Determine the economic nationality of goods for preferential and non-preferential tariff treatment
Capabilities
Identify potential production process changes that result in different tariff classifications with lower rates of duty for imported goods.
Review proposed and current import scenarios for duty reduction strategies and mechanisms; help clients use all available administrative procedures to obtain duty refunds and permanent duty savings.
Prepare voluntary disclosures to correct reporting errors and mitigate exposure; assist with petitions for mitigation in penalty or liquidated damages cases.
Review goods and technologies to determine the appropriate jurisdiction and controls for exported goods, including export classification, license requirements and eligibility for license exceptions.
Work with transfer pricing specialists to evaluate intercompany pricing and achieve the lowest possible “transaction value” for customs duty calculation purposes.
Partner with internal customs and audit teams to review import and export policies, procedures and processes and identify gaps to manage compliance risk.
Review and qualify goods for duty relief under free trade agreements by country and region.
Evaluate supply chain scenarios and corresponding country of origin determinations; identify alternative procurement and production strategies to reduce customs duties.
International Tax Insights
Explore our most recent resources and thought leadership.
- Industry
No insights match the selected filter.
Stay current with our latest international tax insights.
Contact Us
Talk to a customs and international trade professional. We will respond in 1-2 business days.
Thank you for contacting BDO. A representative will be in touch shortly.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google
Privacy Policy and
Terms of Service apply.
Meet our Customs and International Trade Services Leader
Do work that matters, where you matter.
At BDO, you can do much more than fulfill your career ambitions — here, you can explore your full potential. That’s because we’re committed to helping our employees achieve on both personal and professional levels.