The three dimensions of customs
PLANNING activities, by their very nature, take place from time to time and are often triggered by new products, production sites, suppliers or customers that enable companies to make changes and optimise the cost of customs for their particular business. Planning is where there still are many opportunities for companies to explore but where basic customs knowledge and competencies are prerequisites.
EXECUTION covers the real time activities involved in shipping the goods and producing the necessary customs documentation. This is the main focus for most companies today.
COMPLIANCE is what takes place before the flow of goods starts or after it has been completed. I.e. establishing new routines, staff participating in customs related courses, a company deciding to proceed with an AEO certification process, dealing with errors that need to be corrected or in connection with a customs audit. There is a growing interest in this area strongly correlated to the requirements of AEO.