subject: Importing And Exporting Across Borders [print this page] Trading across borders with other nations can be an exciting part of business. Meeting new people and learning about different cultures gives people the opportunity to find out how the world works in places other than where they are used to or where they live themselves. Importing and exporting do come with trade compliance laws that must be met when dealing across borders. The United States has the International Trade in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) are both laws on exporting. These laws seek to protect sensitive information being sent via technology that is manufactured or distributed by U.S. businesses. They also protect guns and other weapons from being shipped across U.S. Borders.
International Trade in Arms Regulation (ITAR) covers military items where the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) covers commercial items such as computers and software. The ITAR regulates items that can be used against U.S. military forces. These could be items listed as guns, knives and other known weapons or they could be components of electronic equipment used to make bombs or IED's. It is important that when exporting to other countries that ITAR compliance is carried out as required. Businesses or persons who do not follow the rules are subject to fines and or punishment by U.S. law.
ITAR compliance requires that people who are employed by businesses who export items outside U.S. borders or import them from other countries must go through ITAR compliance training to ensure that they are versed and knowledgeable in ITAR laws and regulations. There are programs that businesses can use to ensure that their employees are trained in a timely and skilled manner. Businesses can pay for training to teach employees the ins and outs of trade compliance laws or they can train employees themselves. A system must be set up to educate and maintain compliance according to ITAR regulations. It is vital to businesses to make sure that all employees understand the laws for exporting and importing and that they are staying compliant with regulations that govern trade.
Businesses must follow strict legislation in accordance with ITAR and the export and import trade laws of the nation in which they reside in order to trade globally. This does create problems at times because of the differences in cultures around the world. Businesses use these problems as opportunities to learn how business works in other countries and how they solve problems in their traditions and customs. This allows for growth and learning between global markets and lets businesses compete legally. Knowledge that is gained from learning about compliance laws can be documented and accumulated for future reference or for a role model for other businesses.
Exporting and importing across borders can be exciting and knowledge-filled to say the least. Businesses must maintain strict guidelines when hiring and training employees to stay in compliance with global laws that govern trade. Cultural boundaries are maneuvered best when businesses and employees are knowledgeable in the trade and legislation of the business in which they are involved in.
