Global customs compliance helps regulate world trade.
The rise in global trade has brought advancing regulations in customs compliance. For example, the U.S. Customs Modernization Act of 1993 increases customs responsibilities for importers in the U.S.
History
Improvements in transportation and courier services during the 1970s led to more countries importing goods, notes the "Global Materials Compliance Handbook." Gradually, national customs agencies became overwhelmed by the increase, and customs checks of shipments suffered as a result.
Progression
Australia instituted a "statistical" customs compliance program in the 1990s, in which customs agents checked an exporter's shipments sporadically, which eventually amounted to an overall statistical report detailing the exporter's compliance record. Further, in April 2005, the European Commission amended its Community Customs Code for faster and more targeted customs checks.
Identification
According to the "Global Materials Compliance Handbook," compliance means the purpose or method of government agencies whose principal business involves encouraging, and sometimes forcing, citizens to meet their public obligations. This definition plays out in customs compliance by determining imported product quality and ensuring no illegal goods come through.
