#United States #Palo Alto #Ecommerce Brands #Passport Global #Duty Recovery

Passport Global Inc.: A New Era in Import Compliance

Passport Global, Inc., a leading global ecommerce solutions provider, has reached a significant milestone by receiving a Corporate Customs License and National Permit from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This achievement positions the company among a handful of authorized customs brokers allowed to operate across all U.S. ports of entry, dramatically enhancing its service capabilities for ecommerce brands.

With the increasing complexity of cross-border ecommerce, brands often face the challenge of navigating intricate customs environments. Alex Yancher, Co-Founder and CEO of Passport, emphasizes the importance of having a reliable partner in this terrain. "Becoming a licensed customs broker strengthens our ability to protect our customers, proactively manage their risk, and ensure they stay compliant every step of the way," he stated.

Expanded Authority, Streamlined Compliance

With the newly acquired license, Passport can perform several essential activities, including filing customs entries, representing importers, and facilitating duty drawbacks. These activities are critical for ensuring compliance with federal law (19 CFR 111.1) and include:

• - Filing formal and informal customs entries directly into ACE (Automated Commercial Environment)
• - Representing importers of record (IOR) and managing Post Summary Corrections
• - Submitting duty drawback claims for goods exported in the same condition
• - Facilitating bonded shipments to bypass U.S. duty for in-transit cargo

These capabilities are vital for ecommerce brands, especially given the tightening compliance requirements under recent trade policies. For instance, with ongoing de minimis reforms and new Section 301 tariffs instituted during the previous administration, international merchants are under increasing pressure to manage costs effectively and reduce compliance risks.

As part of its commitment to providing comprehensive solutions, Passport's Global Trade team of licensed customs brokers effectively offers:

• - Product classification consulting under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS)
• - Customs valuation strategies, including transaction value and intercompany pricing models
• - Guidance on origin declarations for trade preference programs
• - Support for meeting Partner Government Agency requirements like those from the FDA, CPSC, and EPA
• - Interpretation of CBP rulings and enforcement trends

Traci Fisher, License & Permit Qualifier at Passport, notes that securing this license is a significant milestone for the firm, reinforcing its commitment to delivering trusted, end-to-end customs solutions.

Duty Drawback Facilitation and Recovery

For many ecommerce brands, the ability to reclaim duties, taxes, and fees becomes crucial as margins tighten. As a licensed customs broker, Passport can now efficiently manage the entire duty drawback process, including eligibility screening and filing claims through CBP. This means brands importing goods into the U.S. may reclaim up to 99% of duties, which can be a significant competitive edge, as per Thomas Taggart, VP of Global Trade.

"Our Global Trade team will help ecommerce brands recapture millions in paid duties through a turnkey, fully compliant drawback process," he explained. This robust system not only optimizes duty recovery strategies but also enables brands to navigate the complexities surrounding tariffs more efficiently.

Real-World Impact for Ecommerce Brands

Passport’s newly acquired broker license ensures a smoother clearance process with fewer unexpected fees, thus offering expanded margin protections through duty recovery and other shipping options. Many ecommerce brands recognize the financial burden of constructing an international logistics team from scratch, prompting them to rely on Passport's proven solutions to facilitate growth. For example, Max Christman of OneSkin notes that Passport acts as an extension of their company, helping them manage international logistics without incurring the hefty costs of a full operational team.

Ultimately, Passport Global, with its licensed customs broker status, adds significant control to its cross-border infrastructure, working relentlessly to simplify international shipping as seamlessly as domestic fulfillment. By combining its global logistics network and expert compliance capabilities, Passport continues to empower merchants, helping them unlock their full potential in international markets. To know more about their services, visit passportglobal.com.