Are You Prepared If Selected For a Customs Audit?

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ABC Customs Brokers Nov 08, 2012

Whether your business is exporting or importing goods as a resident or Non-Resident Importer, you should be aware that at some point you are likely to be selected for an audit. The majority of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) audits cover tariff classification, duty assessments, verification of origin, and NAFTA. Some audits are random verifications where an importer is randomly chosen to undergo an audit. The other audit practice employed by CBSA is through verification priorities where they target specific industries or products. In both situations, they are auditing to ensure importers are compliant and observing all rules and regulations. Out of the major areas audited, the one most commonly overlooked by importers is the subject of valuation.

First of all, what is valuation?

As it relates to imported goods, valuation means determining the correct value to declare to Customs. This is also known as the value for duty.

The most common valuation method used is transaction value, however the final value for duty could be influenced by:

• The relation between the parties involved (i.e. a related buyer and seller)

• Conditions where the goods were not purchased by the Canadian recipient (i.e. consignment)

• Allowable deductions to the price paid

• Additions or other costs which must be added to the price before Customs duty and taxes are calculated

• Used goods

• Goods sold while in Canada on a temporary basis

Why should you be concerned?

Primarily as this is an area reviewed and regulated by CBSA. Importers generally spend the least amount of time worrying about valuation, but it is still an area where you are expected to be compliant. As an example, a recent CBSA bulletin indicated that Customs has determined the following are current verification priorities targeted on imports of: fresh cut flowers, apparel, footwear, yachts for pleasure or sport, and preparations & pastry cook products.

Secondly, there are 40 sections of the Department of National Revenue (Customs & Excise) memoranda that deal with valuation. It can be an intricate area to navigate if your foreign purchases involve situations which could change the declared value to Canada Customs.

While this subject is extensive, let’s review a couple of the key valuation topics that may have been easily overlooked when making customs declarations.

Assists

An “assist” is defined as goods or services provided free or at a reduced charge by the purchaser for use in the production of imported goods.

• Materials, components, parts and other goods incorporated in imported goods.

• Tools, dies, moulds, and other goods utilized in the production of imported goods.

• Any materials consumed in the production of imported goods.

• Engineering, development work, art work, design work, plans and sketches undertaken elsewhere than in Canada and necessary for the production of imported goods.

For example, if a Canadian purchaser contracted a U.S. company to bottle juice where the Canadian company provided the packaging materials, the additional costs of the packaging would need to be included in the declared value of the juice.

Numerous parties involved in a transaction

Many transactions involve two parties – a buyer and a seller, which usually makes it is easy to determine the value for duty. However sometimes there are numerous parties: manufacturers, exporters, distributors, buying and selling agents, vendors, consignees and purchasers. The involvement of many parties could make it difficult to identify the correct value for duty and additional care should be exercised.

In many cases, the results of assigning correct values are “revenue neutral” with CBSA; in other words, the goods may be duty free which means that the importer will not incur additional expenses. Like all importations however, the onus is still on the importer to make accurate Customs’ declarations or potentially expose themselves to fines and penalties under the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS).

If you have reason to believe that you have valuation situations which have the potential to raise flags during an audit, please give us a call to discuss this further. To learn more and gain insight on what CBSA is assessing attend the  Canada Customs Audit Seminar. If you are importing and exporting goods into the United States, it might interest you to attend the U.S. Customs Audit Seminar.