Today, I would like to share a reflection inspired by the 17th World Customs Law Meeting, which took place in Porto, Portugal.
This reflection is based on something that I had the opportunity to discuss in my presentation and to observe during this remarkable event.
There is a quite relevant knowledge that is also relevant when considering new legislation on international trade and customs, reforms within that scope, and to advise based on that legislation, as well as efficient and compliant implementation in the day-to-day operations in the field of customs:
The knowledge of what is happening in the “stage of operations” and of the multiple targets and KPIs that serve as the “GPS” for each relevant function and role within a business or corporation.
And to have access to this knowledge there is no other way than, somehow,
– Knowing the company from inside
– Speaking, interacting, and listening to multiple stakeholders, even those who eventually “don’t speak or understand” the same language, the one well known by lawyers, tax and customs advisors, and customs professionals
– Be part of “non-directly customs-related decisions” that may result in lost tax and customs efficiency opportunities or potential tax and customs risks that could have been mitigated.
Even within a company, not being “close enough” to the day-to-day operations may result in an unclear understanding of what is happening and whether or not procedures and controls are being followed, even if navigating in a “sophisticated environment” with internal procedures and controls in the fields of tax and customs.
Several reasons why I consider it essential:
For every professional working in customs, even those with a more operational scope of work, to be curious and avid learners; to recognize that there’s no such thing as “completing all the training required to become an expert” (it is a life learning journey…); to maintain critical thinking and beginner’s mind skills;
As to learn more than just customs-related matters, since working in customs implies “touching and seeing” a broad spectrum of relevant subjects that, together with customs, dictate the success or failure, efficiency, or risk mitigation of all “well-intentioned” actions.
Customs is far more than “logistics and shipment-related topics,” as is sometimes can be seen (which could explain why some customs professionals within companies are part of the logistics department).
However, it is also more than “legal knowledge and practice” because several fields of law are strongly related to economic and business, and customs is certainly one of them.
It is clearly interconnected with several other relevant fields of knowledge and management, such as VAT, Incoterms®, international logistics, purchasing decisions and conditions, internationalization, business margins, just to name a few.
Even with specialization in roles and areas within a customs function, which can be required and recommended, I still believe that compliance and customs efficiency can only be maximized when a “bottom-up” approach, in addition to a “top-down” approach, is implemented within a company — either directly by the economic operator or by third parties providing customs-related services.
Those who are more active and operative in the “stage of operations” have a privileged view of what is happening and what is relevant to review, change, advise, and foresee as procedures and control.
Context in which the added value that a customs function (within the company and/or external assisting the company) may generate is proportional to the knowledge and critical thinking that its (direct and indirect) employees possess, as well as their relevant skills and profile.
As I strongly believe in the” formulas” shared above, it was with great joy that I saw in the audience of the conference also customs professionals “wearing the economic operator shoes”,
Those “soldiers” that each day have to decide, be part and/or operationalize on customs related topics, even when there is not enough time to conveniently collect all the relevant facts, study and conclude on the best approach or, even, to request external specialized support from customs lawyers/advisors.
Our Southwest Europe and West Europe Siemens Energy Customs team was represented at this event,as learners, by two of our team members (others will follow in new opportunities). They are part of the customs team based in Portugal, some working for Portugal, while others providing operational customs compliance services for internal clients based in other countries.
This (great) team gives us daily confirmation that the customs role and profession is not only here to stay but also becoming an increasingly “chosen profession.” This will inevitably lead to customs becoming, more and more, a field of knowledge and study in our universities, postgraduate programs, as short and long-term, theoretical and practical continuous learning initiatives,
Also in Portugal which is already leaving a remarkable “signature” in the field of customs….