What the heck is cargo insurance and who needs it? Last year, TRG helped us understand more about customs bonds. This year they’re back by popular request to talk with us about cargo insurance! Cargo insurance plays a vital role in protecting your goods during transit, yet many businesses overlook its importance or misunderstand its application. In this webinar, TRG will provide a high-level overview of cargo insurance, focusing on the different types of coverage, key considerations, and the process of selecting the right policy for your needs. We’ll also delve into the intricacies of claims and how to ensure that your shipments are adequately protected from potential risks.
Case Study: Import Compliance Consulting Creates Competitive Advantage for a Global Manufacturer
Case Study: Import Compliance Consulting Creates Competitive Advantage for a Global Manufacturer
June 18, 2025/
When a company starts measuring compliance by the absence of chaos, you know there’s a storm coming. That’s precisely what we saw when a global electronics manufacturer came to us during a crisis for import compliance consulting. They had grown rapidly, expanding operations into 17 countries, without updating their import compliance strategy. It wasn’t long before their past ways couldn’t keep up with new challenges.
The Challenge: When "No News" Was the Only Strategy
Before working with us, compliance at this company was mostly seen as a box to check. If shipments cleared customs and no major red flags appeared, they considered things “under control.” However, there was no proactive risk management or audit strategy, and there was little effort to turn compliance into a strength.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in:
- Surging global demand
- Tightened supply chains
- Increased scrutiny from customs authorities
Suddenly, the company’s import compliance gaps were no longer buried: they were front and center. Customs started flooding their compliance team with requests. Delays turned into penalties. Shipments stalled.
When two key compliance staff members resigned, the company’s ability to respond crumbled. At one point, customs authorities threatened to halt import privileges entirely. Leadership realized they were on the edge of a full stop in their supply chain. That’s when they called us for import compliance consulting.
The Solution: Rapid Triage, Real Reform
We knew we had to act fast, but we also knew that lasting change required more than a quick fix. So, we approached this in two phases:
- Emergency triage
- Long-term transformation
In the first 72 hours, our team resolved over 150 pending customs inquiries. We negotiated with customs, submitted proper documentation, and prevented a shutdown. That quick action helped stabilize operations and immediately built trust across the client’s teams.
“In the first 72 hours, our team resolved over 150 pending customs inquiries.”
Over the next four months, we focused on building a stronger foundation. We helped them set up their ACE account and, even more importantly, leverage the tremendous amounts of data that ACE contains. This slashed data entry errors by 78%! We also trained 87% of their compliance team on current regulations and built out a robust internal audit program. That audit alone uncovered $3.2M USD in duty underpayments before they turned into liabilities.
We didn’t stop there. We helped them launch a duty drawback program that recovered $1.7M USD in its first year.
The Approach: From Firefighting to Futureproofing
One of the first things we did was listen and ask the right questions. There was understandable hesitation across departments when bringing in an import compliance consulting team. Compliance, logistics, IT, and finance felt stretched thin and unsure of what change would mean.
It was important to me that we led with empathy and clarity. We sat down with stakeholders, explained what was at risk, and showed them how modern compliance could actually make their lives easier, not harder. We worked shoulder to shoulder with their teams, resolving issues in real time and offering practical, hands-on training.
“We worked shoulder to shoulder with their teams, resolving issues in real time and offering practical, hands-on training.”
When we embedded our experts within their compliance department, we didn’t just bring knowledge—we brought confidence. That helped rebuild morale and gave their internal team the space to grow.
One of the most pivotal moments came when U.S. Customs threatened to revoke their import privileges. Because of our regulatory expertise and strong relationships, we secured an extension, submitted the necessary documents, and restored the company’s standing, all within 72 hours. That moment was a turning point. The client saw firsthand what a capable, responsive compliance function could really look like.
The Impact: Confidence, Capability, and Compliance That Lasts
The results of thoughtful import compliance consulting were dramatic and, more importantly, durable.
- Customs delays dropped by 92%.
- Compliance-related costs fell by 68%.
- The company closed three customs audits with zero penalties.
- Duty drawback delivered $1.7M USD in recoveries.
- They earned CTPAT certification, streamlining customs clearance moving forward.
The numbers only tell part of the story, though.
The biggest transformation was cultural. The compliance team went from reactive to proactive. They embraced their new tools, took ownership of audits, and began championing compliance best practices across the organization. Leadership, once skeptical, became vocal supporters. They even adopted many of our practices across other parts of the business.
“They embraced their new tools, took ownership of audits, and began championing compliance best practices across the organization.”
Today, compliance isn’t just something this company “has to do,” but rather something they’re proud of. It’s a competitive advantage they lean into as they continue to grow globally.
Lessons for the Industry
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s this: compliance is a growth driver. When treated as a strategic function, it can reduce risk, unlock savings, and create trust with regulators and partners alike.
Transformation is never easy, especially under pressure. But with the right support, even the most overwhelmed teams can turn things around and come out stronger on the other side. If you’re in a tough situation and seeking support, reach out to my team.
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