International business is becoming increasingly complex, for several reasons. Luc Samper, Head of Customs and Tax Solutions at BDO: “As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, a lot of new customs obligations have been added for many companies, which has awakened many Flemish companies. In international trade, there has been an increase In the protectionist rules, partly under the impulse of former US President Donald Trump, there is also a general increase in regulations that make exporting to or importing from countries outside the European Union more complicated.”

Ultimately, each importer and exporter remains responsible

Multinational companies have space to focus on expertise in trade rules and customs procedures. Luxury is not very obvious for many small and medium-sized businesses. “Companies often argue: I assign customs procedures to a (customs) agent, who does the necessary and takes responsibility. Then the documents necessary for the submission of declarations are circulated, without it being possible to estimate whether the data has been correctly identified.

“While you as an importer/exporter have the ultimate responsibility for properly drafting the advertisements based on this. It is therefore imperative that you check and follow up whether the correct action has been taken, even if you outsource it.”

“Doing business internationally is getting more and more complex”

Customs experience requires lifelong learning

So it cannot be denied that customs experience is necessary on board the ship. That’s why BDO Consulting has developed a dedicated team of customs experts and their services are based on four pillars.

Luke Samper: “With our Inspection, Advice and Guidance pillars, we provide companies with customs expertise. For example, we help them discover risks in the customs value chain and their taxes, and they can contact us and guide them with specific questions about their customs procedures. We give them when they apply for On the smallest license and when going through a full AEO process.Accredited Economic Operator status gives these companies preferential treatment in customs services.”

The fourth pillar, training, connects all pillars. This forms the basis for the service that defines the path of growth with companies. “We strongly believe that companies should focus on building their own knowledge, precisely because the ultimate responsibility remains with them. This should be a bespoke thing for the company and its employees.”

“That’s why we are so committed to managing competencies: design a customized training program for students by linking competency checks to learning objectives. This way we help companies grow from the inside out and build their own resilience,” says Luke Samper. So BDO has built its own e-learning solution and also provides training that can take place in class (physical or virtual), whether it is an open or tailored session.

International business is becoming increasingly complex, for several reasons. Luc Samper, Head of Customs and Tax Solutions at BDO: “As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, a lot of new customs obligations have been added for many companies, which has awakened many Flemish companies. In international trade, there has been an increase In protectionist rules, partly motivated by former US President Donald Trump, there is also a general increase in regulations that make exporting to or importing from countries outside the European Union more complex.” to draw on experience with trade rules and customs procedures. Luxury is not very obvious for many small and medium-sized businesses. “Companies often argue: I assign customs procedures to a (customs) agent, who does what is necessary and takes responsibility. Then the documents necessary for the submission of declarations are then circulated, without it being possible to estimate whether the data has been correctly identified.” While you are an importer/exporter, you still have the ultimate responsibility for properly crafting advertisements based on this. So it is essential that you check that the correct action was taken and follow up on whether the correct action has been taken, even if you outsource.” There is no There is a suspicion that it is necessary to have customs experience on board. That’s why BDO Consulting has developed a dedicated team of customs experts and their services are based on four pillars. By exposing risks in the customs and tax value chain, they can contact us with specific questions about their customs procedures and we guide them both in applying for the smallest license and in going through the full AEO process. It gives companies preferential treatment in customs The fourth pillar, training, connects all pillars. This forms the basis for the service that defines the path of growth with companies. “We strongly believe that companies should focus on building their own knowledge, precisely because the ultimate responsibility remains with them. This should be articulated for the company and its employees.” “This is why we place a strong emphasis on competency management: developing a training program tailored to trainees by linking competency checks to learning objectives, and in this way we help companies grow from the inside out and build their own resilience,” says Luc Samper. So BDO has built its own e-learning solution and also provides training that can take place in class (physical or virtual), whether it is an open or tailored session.