“The Customs Advisory Unit helps companies anticipate Customs procedures and assists them in their international trade. Don’t wait until the goods are blocked to call us!”

Séverine BOUET, Counselor at the Montpellier Customs Companies Council Cell

In what cases can a Head of company turn to the Customs Council Unit?

A head of company can come to us if he or she has a plan to import or export a out-of-order goodsThe European Union (EU), which includes all third countries, in particular Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the overseas departments and territories.

We support all types of companies:

• project promoters;
• SMEs;
• start-ups;
• self-employed (whether self-employed or craftsmen...).

We offer personalized and free appointments in-person or in-person at our or the company’s premises. During these meetings, we carry out a Customs diagnostic to cover issues relating to the company project and present the tools available.

What are your main accompaniments?

To facilitate the company's project, we intervene on several key points :

• Present the role of the ‘registered customs representative’ : the reporting obligations for importing or exporting goods outside the EU are carried out by that third party acting as agent. It is often a carrier who has the hats of a logistics officer and a customs declarant;
• Help anticipate applicable regulations and secure your projects :
  
  • Importing goods is a key step before buying them from their foreigner supplier. For example, if you import certain toys made in China, they must have undergone laboratory tests demonstrating compliance with European standards (EC marking). We are also reporting on the evolution of these standards, such as for masks during COVID with the new EU directive of 2016;
  • In order to export, it is necessary to anticipate the regulations of the country of destination in order to prevent the goods from being blocked at the border or being re-dispatched. Exporting wine to the United States or China thus requires providing certificates of analysis beforehand that must be budgeted for in the business plan. The network of Customs Attachés abroad allows us to provide a precise response to companies on the steps to be taken.
• Know the facilities offered by customs regulationsparticularly for special schemes : we also carry out an analysis of company flows because certain operations may be subject to a suspension of duties and charges (e.g. import of a component for the manufacture of goods in France which will then be re-exported to a third country);
• Enjoying or Enjoying the Benefits of Trade Agreements : putting forward these agreements is a real commercial argument for the company in its negotiations (reduction or elimination of customs duties at destination or import in the case of sourcing). Certain agreements, such as the one with the United Kingdom or South Korea on wine exports, for example, are still unknown. In order for the receiving customer to benefit from the advantages, the French company must request the status ofthe approved exporter, to certify the European Union origin of the goods.

Do you have an example of a accompanied company?

Yes, I'm thinking of a startup that designed a wine aerator and wanted to export it to the United States. This original object required securing the customs code as a priority (tariff classification). This essential code is the starting point for any export or import operation because it makes it possible to know all the regulations and taxation applicable to a product. When in doubt, my role is to steer the company toward one procedure secure Binding Tariff Information (BTI). The decision issued by French customs is valid for 3 years.

I also steered this startup toward our service of theOrigin and Made in France (SOMIF), located in Clermont-Ferrand, for it to supply it with information on the ‘Made In France’ marking. The SOMIF team verifies that the company complies with the applicable rule of origin for the product based on the materials used and the manufacturing process described. Working hand-in-hand with the company helps foster international recognition of French know-how.

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