Global Customs and Compliance

When it comes to navigating international customs regulations, we're ALL IN for you.

Omni Logistics and our team of experts are ready to support your compliance needs worldwide. Dealing with shifting regulations, multiple documentation requirements and dynamic tariff changes poses a challenge you don’t have to face alone. With offices around the globe, you can rely on our seamless processes to efficiently support the flow of your supply chain. Our up to date technology provides strict compliance for accurate and timely submission to Customs and other government agencies. We are ready to respond to your needs 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Your success is our priority.

An expert global compliance team.

Our fully vetted team is here to provide you with assistance for every conceivable aspect of your company’s compliance and customs brokerage needs around the world. Our in-house licensed brokers and their support team bring decades of experience and strategic acumen to navigating the brokerage process throughout the globe. Omni helps ensure your shipments are cleared in a compliant, expedited, and cost-efficient process. Plus, we also offer expedited customs clearance whenever your time critical cargo needs to get through as quickly as possible.

Delivering peace of mind.

We take your security concerns seriously and want to assist you with any security/CTPAT related questions you have with your shipments. That is why we have put robust systems in place to properly deal with any and all security inquires. Our customers are encouraged to contact their account manager or email complianceinfo@omnilogistics.com with your questions.

Our global compliance services.

Electronic Customs declarations
Engagement with government agencies
Pre-clearance of shipments
Hand Carry clearances
Bonded Warehouses
Foreign Trade Zones
Binding Rulings
Multi-use Tier 3 Certification in Singapore for Strategic Goods

Other Customs related services.

Import/Export License processing in Hong Kong
Management of Strategic Commodities
Assistance with Mainland China Inspection and Quarantine processing
China’s 3C processing and courier shipments clearances
AMS transmission
ISF processing
ATA Carnets

Our commitment to CTPAT

Omni Logistics has committed to participation in the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program administered by U.S. Customs. CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program initiated to build cooperative relationships that strengthen the overall supply chain and border security.

When an entity joins CTPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. CTPAT Partners enjoy a variety of benefits, including taking an active role in working with the U.S. Government in its war against terrorism.

If you would like assistance in becoming a CTPAT participant and learning how you can ensure the integrity of your U.S. bound shipments, please contact us at complianceinfo@omnilogistics.com. Additional information can also be obtained via the CBP website at https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/ctpat

Reduced number of CBP examinations
Front-of-the-line inspections
Possible exemption from Stratified Exams
Shorter wait times at the border
Access to the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Lanes at the land borders
Access to the CTPAT web-based portal system and a library of training materials
Possibility of enjoying additional benefits by being recognized as a trusted trade partner by foreign customs administrations that have signed mutual recognition with the United States
Business resumption priority following a natural disaster or terrorist attack

Customized solutions for your Customs needs.

Omni’s customers can rest assured that our customs compliance teams have the experience and continuous training needed for your company to properly comply with customs regulations worldwide. With a global presence and thousands of team members throughout the world, Omni strives to provide top-tiered performance with unprecedented operational excellence.

When it comes to global trade compliance, we're ALL IN for you.

Looking for a logistics partner who can help you negotiate the complexities of global trade compliance? Omni is ready to help. Our team of highly trained compliance experts can help you navigate global trade compliance whether around the corner or around the world.

When it comes to Singapore trade compliance, we're ALL IN for you.

Omni’s Singapore facility is fully certified and compliant with all trade regulations of this burgeoning Asia-Pacific country. Singapore is a vibrant, multimodal hub that delivers sustainable supply chain solutions for the global economy. This country offers world-class infrastructure and connectivity, a large base of leading multi-national companies, as well as thoughtful leadership in logistics and supply chain management. In response to the increased complexity of global supply chains, global 3PLs and supply chain management companies are developing innovative Singapore logistics programs and supply chain solutions for their Singapore-based and Southeast Asia customers. Omni is continually monitoring the Singapore logistics industry to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, Singapore trade compliance and local Singapore logistics supply chain strategies.

Free Trade Agreements in Singapore.

Singapore participates in numerous Free Trade Agreements. This leads to significant cost savings for our customers. By investing heavily into complying and partaking in government-sponsored programs, we enable customers to achieve a competitive advantage by adding value to every part of their supply chain operation. Omni’s Singapore facility has been certified, approved and participates in the country’s logistics programs such as:

Major Exporter Scheme (MES)
Approved Contract Manufacturer & Trader Scheme (ACMT)
Singapore Strategic Trade Scheme (STS)
Customs Brokerage
Regulated Air Cargo Agent Regime (RCAR)
Secure Trade Partnership (STP & STP-Plus).

It’s our job to know your product.

When it comes to customs navigation, understanding the product is of the utmost importance. Not understanding the nature of the shipment creates liabilities and unnecessary stress. By knowing the content of the shipment, the customs compliance team is able to assist the shipper and customer on proper classifications, fees and estimated clearance times. Thus, alleviating unnecessary frustration.

Freight forwarders or declaring agents in Singapore are required to be registered with customs if they are involved in the following activities:

Declaration of customs permits for their own company or on behalf of their clients for the import, export or transshipment of goods in Singapore via TradeNet®.
Payment of Goods & Services Tax (GST), duties or other miscellaneous fees to customs through the Inter-Bank GIRO Scheme.

Singapore schemes and licenses.

Here is a list of Singapore Customs schemes and licenses. For more information visit the Singapore Customs website.

Temporary Import Scheme
Licensed Warehouse Scheme
Zero GST Warehouse Scheme
Excise Factory Scheme
Industrial Exemption Factory Scheme
Air Store Bond Scheme
Duty Free Shop Scheme
Apex License
Major Exporter Scheme
Import GST Deferment Scheme
NA(CWC) License
Strategic Trade Scheme
Inter-Gateway Haulage and Barge Scheme
Container Freight Warehouse
Cargo Agents Import Authorization (CAIA)
Company Declaration Scheme
Bonded Truck Scheme
TradeNet®

Singapore permits and documentation.

Key permits and documents for logistic / SCM operations in Singapore include:

Export Permit Application
Certificates of Origin

Singapore Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Similar to Valued Added Tax (VAT) in other countries, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was implemented on April 1st 1994 in Singapore. GST is a consumption tax that is levied on the import of goods into Singapore and the supply of goods and services in Singapore. For GST-registered business entities in Singapore, GST is an indirect tax applied to the selling price of the goods and services they provide. Businesses are required to continuously assess the need to be registered for GST. There are two GST registration categories: compulsory registration and voluntary registration. The current GST rate is 7%.

Understanding TRADENET®.

As a single platform for Singapore’s trade and logistics community, TradeNet® serves as a neutral and secure trade platform to facilitate connectivity among the trading community through a comprehensive suite of trade services. The TradeNet® System is a nationwide Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) System that allows the various parties from the public and the private sectors to exchange structured trade messages and information electronically. The major Government agencies, which are using the System for the exchange of trade and shipping messages with the private sector, are Singapore Customs and various others who exercise control on the import, export and transshipment of goods. The TradeNet® System has integrated the import, export and trans-shipment documentation processing procedures. It reduces the cost and turnaround time for the preparation, submission and processing of trade and shipping documents and expedites the clearance of the cargo.

China trade compliance expertise where it counts.

China is a crucial piece of the growth strategy of more and more companies worldwide. With this growth comes the need for trade compliance understanding. China’s logistics sector is growing at an extraordinary rate due to the rapid expansion of the country’s industrial base and the rise of its domestic consumer markets. Chinese policymakers recognize the need to invest in China’s logistics sector in order to further develop its economy and have spent double that of most developed countries in building its logistics infrastructure. Many years ago Omni was quick to recognize the opportunity that China presented, and we continue to make direct investments in strategic partnerships. Discover how our China trade compliance experience can improve your supply chain management.

Ready to navigate China’s Compulsory Certification process?

One area of China trade compliance that many companies find difficult to navigate is the China Compulsory Certification process (sometimes referred to as “3C” or “CCC Mark”). This stringent certification process is governed by the China Entry & Exit Inspection Quarantine Bureau (CIQ). Omni Logistics has many years of experience in assisting companies with the proper processing of the China Compulsory Certification and can help guide your company through all the proper steps and make this process as smooth as possible.

Understanding China Customs.

In China, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) is the authority over the country’s trade compliance rulings. The GAC is an administrative agency within the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the GAC is striving to become a modern and transparent authority.

China Customs is a government agency that supervises and manages all arrivals in and departures from the Customs territory of the mainland of the People’s Republic of China. It exercises a centralized management structure. Its essential tasks are entry and exit control, revenue collection, fighting smuggling and foreign trade statistics compilation. It also shoulders such major responsibilities as duty collection, customs control, supervision and management of bond operations, foreign trade statistics compilation, audit-based control, customs intellectual property rights protection, anti-smuggling and port management.

China’s Value Added Tax (VAT).

China’s Value Added Tax (VAT) was implemented in 1984 and is administered by the State Administration of Taxation. According to the Provisional Regulation of P.R.C on VAT, Value Added Tax should be paid by enterprises or individuals who sell merchandise, provide processing, repairing, or assembling service; or import goods within the territory of the People’s Republic of China, on the added value derived from their production, selling merchandise, providing industrial repairing or assembling service. The standard VAT for most products is currently 17%, while some limited products are rated at 13%. Omni can help customers who ship products to China pay the applicable VAT or defer the VAT through our operations located in special Free Trade Zones, bonded areas or via other special government-approved programs. Many factories in China who manufacture products on behalf of our customers are located in special government-approved areas and/or maintain special government permissions to import products for manufacturing and re-export without paying VAT. Please contact Omni to discuss your specific supply chain and how we can help your company be in compliance with China’s VAT and import requirements.

Omni logistics facilities in China.

Omni has logistics centers throughout China, including Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing, Shanghai, and Zhengzhou. Every one of our China logistics centers is able to assist with all methods of transportation, including intra-China road transportation, sea freight, air freight, Customs clearance, duty/tax protection programs, high security warehousing and has professional, knowledgeable local staff to manage all your import, export, freight forwarding, warehousing & distribution, compliance and overall supply chain needs.

Chinese standards, regulations and laws.

Omni is ready to help your company negotiate a variety of regulations:

China Compulsory Certification (CCC Mark)
China Reduction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) Regulation
China Packaging Standards
Import Duty
Import Licensing
Customs Valuation & Commodity Classification
Export Processing Trade
Anti-dumping Duty Proceedings

Chinese product regulations to be aware of.

ICT Products Regulations & Standards
Used Equipment Inspection Requirements
Foodstuff and Agricultural Import Regulations & Standards
Textiles Regulations & Standards
Cosmetics Regulations & Standards

Equipped to navigate Hong Kong compliance.

Hong Kong trade compliance can be daunting. Omni understands. Hong Kong is a leading international center for financial services, trade, shipping, and logistics, that helps companies expand their presence not only in the Mainland China market. It also creates an easy platform for launching into the entire Asia market. Omni Logistics can help you negotiate Hong Kong trade compliance, including clearance documentation, cargo clearance, and examination, and will walk you through the Hong Kong Trade Declaration Process and Fees.

A hassle-free regulatory environment.

With a relatively hassle-free tax and regulatory environment, Hong Kong is an appealing location to hold inventory moving to or from Mainland China. Omni’s Hong Kong facility is our Asia Regional Headquarters, and our position as one of the leading Hong Kong logistics companies has continued to grow exponentially. Omni Hong Kong enables companies to achieve a lean supply chain pipeline allowing for quick, efficient and economical movement of products. Omni Hong Kong maintains a team of professionals who can assist our customers in complying with Hong Kong’s import and export licensing programs.

Cooperative arrangements.

To strengthen bilateral customs cooperation against cross-boundary offences, the Department has entered into nonbinding customs cooperative instruments with 18 customs administrations since 1991: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Netherlands, the People’s Republic of China, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The HKSAR Government concluded a binding Customs Cooperation Agreement with the European Community [now renamed as European Union (EU) in 1999] to enhance the cooperation between the Department and the Customs Administrations of the EU member states.
The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department is a part of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Clearance Documentation
The following documents are required to facilitate Hong Kong Customs clearance:
Manifest
Import/Export license
Copy of detention notice (if applicable)
Other supporting documents (Bill of Lading, Airway Bill, Invoice, Packing list etc.)

Cargo clearance and examination.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is a free port and does not levy any Customs tariff on imports and exports. Additionally, there is no tariff quota or surcharge, or value added and general services taxes. Excise duties are levied only on four types of dutiable commodities, namely liquors, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.

All cargoes imported into or exported from HKSAR via air, land and sea are subject to Customs control. This is primarily completed through inspection of documents such as manifests. If necessary, physical examination of goods is conducted on a selective basis.

Cargo Examination.

The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) employs risk management on selection of cargo for examination to ensure Customs intervention at control points is kept to the minimal. To expedite cargo clearance, there are several electronic cargo clearance systems to facilitate submission of advance cargo information by shippers. Below are the cargo clearance systems for air, ground and ocean.

Air– the Air Cargo Clearance System (ACCS) enables the C&ED to provide fast Customs clearance service to legitimate trade without compromising security of the HKSAR.
Ground– the Road Cargo System (ROCARS) permits registered shippers (or their authorized agents) to electronically submit advance information, for cargo imported or exported by trucks through land boundary control points (LBCPs), to the C&ED.
Ocean– the Electronic System for Cargo Manifests (EMAN) allows carriers to electronically submit manifests, for containerized cargoes transported by oceangoing vessels before the arrival of shipments.

Hong Kong Trade Declaration processes and fees.

In Effective since August 1 2012, for articles that are imported or exported on or after that date, the declaration charge per import or export declaration will be reduced to the following rates:

Import – Non-food items
$0.2 in respect of the first $46,000 of the value of the goods
$0.125 in respect of each additional $1,000 or part thereof and rounded up to the nearest 10 cents
Import – Food items
$0.2 per declaration irrespective of the value
Export
Goods whether of HKSAR origin or not 1
$0.2 in respect of the first $46,000 of the value of the goods
$0.125 in respect of each additional $1,000 or part thereof and rounded up to the nearest 10 cents

A centralized operation to handle Mexico compliance.

Omni’s Mexico operations are managed through our main office in Acuna, Mexico, which also acts as our primary control center for Mexico shipments. Having this central office navigating the complexities of the cross-border process is crucial to our ability to best serve our customers.

Imports into Mexico.

IMMEX – Permit to import raw materials without paying duties or taxes for manufacturing in the country, but finished good must be exported
Temporary- Entry of goods in order for them to stay in Mexico for a limited period of time and with a specific purpose, provided that the goods will be returned abroad in the same condition that the goods were imported.
For the manufacturing, transformation or repairing.
Definite Imports- Import that will stay in the country for consumption within. All duties and taxes are paid at the time of import.

Exports out of Mexico.

Definite Exports- Export that is not manufactured in an IMMEX. Fees and taxes are paid at the time of export. Must be a registered and approved as an exporter.
Temporary Exports- For the exit of Mexican goods in order to stay abroad for a limited period of time without modifications.
For the manufacturing, transformation or repairing.

Mexico Compliance expertise.

Let our expert Mexico compliance team assist you with all your cross-border needs between the U.S. and Mexico.