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3 Strategies for Importing Goods From the U.S. to Europe

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3 Strategies for Importing Goods From the U.S. to Europe

Bilateral trade between the U.S. and the European Union has been a longstanding phenomenon. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the EU is one of the U.S.’s biggest trading partners — with $823 billion of goods traded in 2022.

By definition, exports are goods or services produced in one country and sold in another, while imports are goods and services not produced domestically. The World Trade Organization identifies the U.S. as the world’s largest importer, followed by the EU and China, which has been the largest exporter of goods since 2009, Statista data shows. The U.S. ranks third in exports, behind China and the EU.

Exports to the EU totaled nearly $319 billion. Meanwhile, imports from the EU amounted to $504 billion, making the trade deficit $186 billion, U.S. Census Bureau data found. In simple terms, the U.S. receives more imported trade goods than it exports to the EU.

Why Are U.S. Imports So Difficult to Maintain for E-Commerce in Europe?

The COVID-19 pandemic, prolonged inflationary pressures, political unrest, new international regulations, and complicated logistics have created numerous trade challenges for retailers and e-commerce companies based in the U.S.

In my experience as the CEO and co-founder of Go Global Ecommerce, it is generally easier to import goods into Europe than the U.S. The U.S. has more restrictions on products and policy regulations, though every country has its own specifications, standards, and means of trading. Let’s discuss the various items that can complicate the trading process.

Factors Complicating the Importing of Goods From the U.S. to the EU

The first factor complicating international e-commerce is the state of overall economic conditions. We know that economies can change daily. Add in possible recessions, changing regulations, and political unrest, and you have a case of complicated trade. A complication or change in one country — or at one level of the business landscape — can create a domino effect on trade worldwide.

When it comes to the economic outlook, nearly 90% of supply chain leaders surveyed for a Container LogTech report said they fear “inflation and recession will be the biggest factors that will impact businesses” this year. Of course, negatively impacted businesses will negatively affect trade.

Furthermore, trade regulations differ for every industry, product, business, and sector. When it comes to customs, a free trade agreement or coalition is typically in place. A free trade agreement, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), is a pact that eliminates many barriers and tariffs between countries, making it easier to import and export goods.

However, some types of goods have custom duties, such as aluminum, alcohol, and steel. A customs duty is a tariff or tax on specific goods the owner, purchaser, or customs broker must pay. These are handled by governments and regulators. International regulations and logistics complicate the process of importing goods from the U.S. for sale within the EU. For example, U.K. e-commerce fulfillment is especially trickier post-Brexit.

Geography is another factor that can affect trade. For example, as a country equipped with big boats and high-tech shipping machinery, it is easier to trade goods in the Netherlands. Trade routes, shipping requirements, and warehousing needs can impact shipping and trade in countries that don’t have the necessary ports, stations, or equipment for handling a large influx of imports.

In sum, factors that impact trade include the type of product, economic conditions, geography, and political agreements. Fortunately, goverments and regulators can help facilitate trade flow, improve accessibility for U.S. imports, and boost the overall network of e-commerce in Europe.

Business Moves to Make for Effective Cross-Border E-Commerce

Smooth implementation of cross-border e-commerce solutions requires regulations and political agreements. Yet government and agencies aside, there are ways to expand your company’s e-commerce business across borders as well.

E-commerce in Europe is on the rise as companies like Shopify, Zalando, and the Otto Group expand, and startups like Klarna and Flink continue to pop up on the market. There is a massive demand for e-commerce in the European market. To keep up with these changing tides, consider the following tips to expand your business’s cross-border e-commerce abilities.

  1. Analyze the best route for your business.

Every country has pros and cons, regulations, and laws. First, determine which country has the best tax considerations and payments process for your business. Perhaps localizing your efforts in Europe instead of the U.S. would prove most beneficial. Ask yourself whether the location has a strong presence of business partners, market maturity, and your business’s target customers.

Then, determine whether you want to expand physically to other countries. Your company could benefit by opening a warehouse in the EU. This move can help you save time and money on shipping and efficiency costs.

Establishing warehouses abroad can also ease transportation concerns, saving you the headache of mapping out the best shipping routes.

  1. Invest in the experts.

Compliance is crucial. To ensure your business is set up for success from the start, invest in a legal department or a company with international expertise. Whether you hire in-house or outsource advice, these shipping experts can provide you with e-commerce regulations guidance and help you ensure your business displays all necessary legal information to customers.

Nowadays, more businesses are choosing the merchant of record model to stay compliant when selling internationally. International e-commerce experts can also guarantee that you abide by all trade duties, tax regulations, and laws no matter where your customers are located.

  1. Put your customers above profit.

A strong and impressive customer experience is what keeps your customers continuously choosing your company. Find ways to simplify your return and exchange policy, but note how the cost of customs and duties will work when a product needs to be returned. Analyze the potential costs of returns and exchanges, but don’t make the customer bear the brunt of the transaction.

Cross-border e-commerce brings companies international market opportunities. It can be challenging for companies to keep up when faced with ever-changing trade regulations and agreements. Fortunately, by following these three strategies, you can expand your business internationally today. The opportunity and demand are ongoing, and the potential for e-commerce in Europe is continuous.

Simone De Ruosi is the CEO and co-founder of Go Global Ecommerce. With a background in engineering and business and sound knowledge of productive system management and strategic business management, he recently completed his MBA at the ESCP Business School (placed at No. 6 in the FT Global MBA 2022 rankings). When he co-founded and launched Go Global Ecommerce in 2020, he set out to assist brands that were ambitious about expanding on a global scale — an objective that has been fulfilled, having helped brands such as Nestlé, Kraft Heinz, Smeg, The Ridge, and Blauer USA grow internationally. He is a Mensa member, a keen sportsman, and, above all, a family man.

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11 Common Misconceptions: Compliance & Denied Party Screening

With the growth of eCommerce, business integration, and global connectivity showing no sign of abating, compliance and denied party screening (DPS) have been thrust into the spotlight. The era of the mega fine has emerged, with fluid international sanctions policies impacting unsuspecting companies in unwelcome ways. In addition to the potential for reputational damage, penalties for non-compliance can include substantial fines—multimillions of dollars in some instances—, revocation of export privileges, and criminal charges, including prison time. 

The solution? Screening for restricted and denied parties, and due diligence to ensure that goods, technologies, and services are not destined for a sanctioned or embargoed country—not to mention screening every financial transaction—should be an integral component of every organization’s governance, risk, and compliance strategy. 

WHO NEEDS TO SCREEN?

While homeland security-sensitive industries (e.g., aerospace, defense, telecommunications, IT, energy, research, financial institutions) have a high bar when it comes to complying with U.S. and international export, trade, and financial laws, ordinary businesses from across all industries have an obligation to adhere to compliance requirements as well—and the penalties for non-compliance can be severe.

The reality is that companies found in violation of international trade regulations come from a wide spectrum of industries, not just the usual suspects. In fact, many organizations that have received financial, or even criminal, penalties fall outside the realm of the higher-risk industries. 

Unfortunately, many companies hold the erroneous belief that compliance and DPS do not apply to them. By increasing awareness surrounding the following misconceptions about compliance and restricted party screening, organizations can take a proactive and vigilant approach to mitigating risk and avoiding costly penalties.

DPS MYTHS: DON’T LET THEM HAPPEN TO YOU 

Screening doesn’t apply to our business, industry, or country.

All businesses, not just those operating within homeland security-sensitive industries, have an obligation to screen. Companies both in the U.S. and those outside of the country that engage with the United States in any capacity—including selling products or services in the U.S., or even using American banks and financial services for transactions—are subject to U.S. export and financial compliance laws.

We don’t need to screen because we supply services, not products.

Every time money changes hands, there is an obligation to ensure that the good or service is not destined for an individual or entity on a government watch list; services (e.g., travel agencies) are not exempt. 

We rely on a third party (e.g., freight forwarder) to screen for us.

Many companies make the mistake of thinking that the burden of compliance rests with the shipping or freight forwarding company but this is not always the case. The U.S. government can designate the owner or seller of the merchandise being exported (or imported) as the Exporter of Record, shifting the onus of compliance to both organizations. 

Our company operates domestically so screening is not required.

A significant number of individuals found on watch lists are U.S. nationals or citizens located in the United States who have been found guilty of violating export laws. Consequently, organizations are obligated to screen regardless of shipment destination.

Export laws don’t apply to us because we’re located outside the U.S. 

Regardless of where an organization’s headquarters or subsidiaries are based, it is highly likely that some, if not all, transactions flow through the U.S. financial system at one point in the purchasing or supply chain process. As such, these transactions fall under the purview of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

We don’t export to countries under sanctions or embargoes.

Virtually every nation, on every continent, has debarred individuals and entities inside their borders—even Antarctica! Given the dynamic nature of international sanction policies, especially in the current political climate, organizations are at risk of engaging with a denied or restricted person or organization regardless of where they export. 

Our goods are EAR99 so we don’t need to screen.

Although an organization’s goods might be EAR99 (under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Commerce and not listed on the Commerce Control List), selling them to a denied party is still subject to penalty. For reference, the 2017 edition of the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Don’t Let This Happen to You is replete with examples of EAR99 export violations.

We already screened our customers and contacts once.

Denied and restricted party lists change frequently, in many cases daily. To ensure compliance, organizations would be best served by screening all transactions at multiple points throughout the business workflow.

The project we needed to screen for is complete so we’re in the clear.

While exports are commonly associated with the shipment of goods, export controls also encompass the transfer of technology, software, or technical data, even when the transfer occurs in the United States. Case in point: although a project may have concluded, the release of controlled technologies (a.k.a. deemed exports) to foreign nationals is subject to U.S. export laws.

We only need to screen the person to whom we’re shipping.

One of the most misunderstood areas of export compliance is the requirements surrounding end-use. End-use compliance involves requesting documentation from the purchaser to confirm they are the ultimate destination of the goods and that they will use the product as intended. While obtaining an end-user statement doesn’t guarantee the veracity of the purchaser’s claim, this process demonstrates that a company has taken additional measures to ensure adherence to export and trade compliance laws and will stand them in good stead if issues arise. 

We’ll just pay the fine.

Fines incurred as a result of an export of OFAC violation should not be treated as a business expense. In fact, criminal penalties can include jail time and organizations can have their export privileges revoked. Moreover, negative media attention is an increasing concern for risk-adverse organizations attempting to protect their reputation by avoiding conducting business with non-law-abiding people or companies. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Penalties from any export, trade, or OFAC compliance violation can negatively impact an organization’s bottom line, or ultimately cripple a company’s trade. Implementing a comprehensive screening program that encompasses restricted and denied parties and sanctioned and embargoed countries, coupled with cultivating a culture of compliance within the organization, will help keep goods flowing while minimizing the risk of penalties. 

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Marc Roy is Vice President & General Manager, Compliance Solutions at Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance, and security of logistics-intensive businesses. 

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The World’s First Digital Trade Database to Increase Trade Data Visibility

The world’s first digital trade database will soon be the product of a recently announced partnership between Coriolis Technologies and
Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA). The goal of this new platform will help solve issues related to global trade visibility, risk assessment, and critical information on the growth and pace of international trade.

“We are delighted to be working with the GTPA to improve the availability of good quality trade data, through the development of a digital trade database,” added Dr. Rebecca Harding, CEO of Coriolis Technologies. “Collecting and collating data has historically proved difficult, and this problem has been further compounded by the growth in digital trade, which is far harder to track than the movement of physical goods. The Coriolis-GTPA database will allow trade originators to understand precisely where the risks and the opportunities are around the world in politics, in economics and in reputation.”

The innovative database will provide visibility into the flow of global goods, services and strategic trade for banks, governments and investment communities, ultimately enabling them for strategic decision making. The companies confirmed the database will provide insight for the
Asia-Pacific region during the first stage of development.

“The benefits of international trade are currently the subject of debate in various contexts, however, it has long been demonstrated that, even with its systemic imperfections which must be acknowledged, trade has been a powerful driver for economic value creation, inclusion and poverty reduction, as well as peace and security,” commented Lisa McAuley, CEO of Global Trade Professionals Alliance. “The GTPA is pleased to partner with Coriolis Technologies as trade and investment data collection is imperative to drive robust trade policy decisions, analysis on the implementation and success of Free Trade Agreements and more importantly data that can be used to communicate the role of trade in a countries best economic interests to the general public.”