Importing isn’t as simple as buying a product overseas and having it show up at your door.

In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles break down three of the most common (and costly) assumptions business owners make about importing—and how those mistakes can quietly erode margins, create compliance risk, and lead to serious problems with U.S. Customs.

If you’re importing—or thinking about it—this is a must-listen.

• Why your supplier is not responsible for your compliance
• How duty rates have shifted from predictable to volatile
• The real role of a customs broker (and what they don’t own)
• Why bad data = compliant filings… that are still wrong
• How small mistakes can turn into costly enforcement issues

Many importers assume their overseas supplier manages the process.

Reality:

• The supplier’s priority is getting paid
• You are the Importer of Record
• You are accountable to U.S. Customs and Border Protection

If documentation is wrong—valuation, country of origin, product description—you own the consequences.

“Your supplier may ship the goods—but you own the risk.”

What used to be a stable, forecastable cost is now a moving target.

• Tariffs and trade policies change rapidly
• Sourcing decisions directly impact duty exposure
• Long purchasing cycles increase risk

“Duty used to be a line item. Now it’s a variable you have to actively manage.”

Hiring a broker does not transfer liability.

• Brokers file based on the data you provide
• They facilitate compliance—but don’t own it
• Incorrect data = correctly filed… but still wrong

“Customs holds the importer accountable—not the broker.”

Even when no one is trying to cut corners:

• Miscommunication with suppliers
• Last-minute product changes
• Incorrect documentation

…can result in:

• Shipment delays
• Exams or holds
• Seizures
• Long-term compliance issues

All three mistakes come down to one thing:

👉 Misunderstanding responsibility

Importing is not passive.

The companies that succeed:

• Maintain internal oversight
• Understand classification and documentation
• Treat trade as a controlled process—not a transaction

• Business owners importing goods
• E-commerce sellers sourcing overseas
• Small to mid-size importers
• Anyone new to international trade

• National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA Conference)
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Hosts:

• Lalo Solorzano

• Andy Shiles

Guests:

• Anand Raghavendran – KYG Trade

• Gagan Bhasin – VAO

Produced by: Global Training Center

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