Importers are under unprecedented scrutiny: UFLPA compliance, forced labor due diligence, and the OFAC 50 Percent Rule now demand supply chain transparency down to the granular level—think tracing textiles to the exact geographic origin of the cotton. Knowing your customer and knowing your supplier isn’t enough anymore; you need visibility into your suppliers’ suppliers to…

AI in trade compliance only works as well as the data behind it. If product descriptions are vague, inconsistent, or just a part number, you’ll get garbage in, garbage out—misclassification, compliance risk, and delays. In this video, Vigilant Global Trade Services explains why standardized nomenclature, complete technical specs, and strong master data management are the…

Read the full blog post: https://vigilantgts.com/stop-bad-data-before-it-ships-hb Bad data in global trade doesn’t just slow you down—it multiplies compliance risk across every import and export. At Vigilant Global Trade Services, we help importers and exporters get control of master data so classifications, licenses, and documentation are accurate the first time. From HTS and ECCN classification to…

Read the full blog post: https://vigilantgts.com/bring-order-t… Miscellaneous shipments—those manual, one-off mailroom or marketing sends that sit outside your standard ERP sales or purchase order flow—are subject to the same import and export compliance rules as every other shipment. That means restricted party screening, accurate import/export classification, country of origin, proper valuation, license determination, and awareness…

Read the full blog post: https://vigilantgts.com/get-refunds-f… An ACE account is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have. ACE (the automated commercial exchange) is customs’ official system for your import data and some export data (AES/EDI). It has become the centralized communication hub for importers, including where government notices are delivered. With IEPA tariffs and potential refunds…

Read the full blog post: https://vigilantgts.com/avoid-costly-… Import compliance hinges on strong customs recordkeeping. As the importer, you—not your broker—are responsible for maintaining complete, accessible entry documents. Even excellent brokers can miss files, and when the government asks for records, penalties can stack up per missing document. In this video, we explain why periodic broker audits…

Read the full blog post: https://vigilantgts.com/prove-origin-prevent-costly-tariffs-hb/ Importing steel, aluminum, or copper without airtight documentation can trigger steep Section 232 tariffs—often a default of 200% on aluminum—if you can’t validate country of origin and metal content. U.S. Customs now expects more than a supplier’s statement. Our team explains why mill certificates (MTCs/MTRs) that detail where metal…

Importers using the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA, known as CUSMA in Canada) to mitigate IEPA tariffs are facing intensified customs scrutiny and revenue-protection reviews. With NAFTA replaced by USMCA, duty-free treatment remains a powerful tool—but when the government doesn’t see revenue, it asks why. We’re seeing a return to revenue-focused enforcement, and that means more…

Trade compliance is more complex—and costly—than ever. With expanded use of tariffs (including Section 301 “Trump tariffs” and Section 232 aluminum measures) and heightened CBP enforcement powered by ACE data, brokerage entry audits have become essential. At Vigilant Global Trade Services, we help importers reduce risk and cost by reviewing customs entries for errors in…

AI is reshaping global trade and trade compliance. Used well, it accelerates repetitive, rules-based work like tariff classification and country of origin determination. But conflicting guidance from government agencies, ports of entry, attorneys, and consultants can lead AI systems to surface inconsistent answers—even to the same question minutes apart. The result: gaps that can undermine…