Trade Compliance Readiness Checklist
A practical framework for assessing your organization's compliance posture across key areas.
Origin Claims Assessment
- All origin claims supported by documentation
- Supplier origin declarations on file and current
- Value-add activities documented and defensible
- Cost narratives prepared and verifiable
- Process documentation matches actual operations
Documentation Infrastructure
- Document retention policies in place
- Records organized and accessible
- Backup and recovery procedures tested
- Audit trail maintained for changes
- Staff trained on documentation requirements
Operational Compliance
- Operating procedures documented
- Quality controls in place and recorded
- Chain of custody maintained
- Inspection and verification procedures followed
- Deviations documented and addressed
Risk Monitoring
- Regulatory changes tracked
- Customs scrutiny trends monitored
- Internal audits conducted regularly
- Corrective actions documented
- Risk register maintained and updated
Partner Management
- Partner compliance requirements defined
- Partner compliance verified
- Contracts include compliance provisions
- Partner audit rights established
- Issue escalation procedures in place
Scoring Your Readiness
High Readiness: 80%+ items checked with strong documentation
Moderate Readiness: 60 to 80% checked with some gaps
Low Readiness: Below 60% or significant documentation gaps
Taking Action
Use this checklist to identify priority areas. For any unchecked items, develop action plans with clear ownership and timelines.
