What to include, when they’re needed, and who does what. Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings are a critical part of export compliance, required for most U.S. shipments to foreign destinations. This webinar offers a comprehensive overview of EEI filings, explaining when and how to file, the importance of accuracy, and the potential consequences of non-compliance. We’ll dive into the specific requirements, common pitfalls, and best practices for ensuring that your EEI filings are timely and correct, helping you avoid costly errors and penalties.
Top 5 Traits of Businesses that Execute Successful Trade Compliance Strategy
Top 5 Traits of Businesses that Execute Successful Trade Compliance Strategy
July 14, 2025/
Michael D. Easton
President & General Manager, Star USA
If you think trade compliance strategy is just about checking boxes, you’re missing what the top-performing companies already know: it’s one of the smartest operational investments a business can make.
In my work with global supply chain leaders, one pattern stands out. Companies that excel at trade compliance don’t just avoid risk; they move faster, seize new markets with confidence, and operate leaner.
The proof goes beyond their policies. It shows up in their performance. Let’s explore the five key traits that separate the leaders from the rest when it comes to building a world-class trade compliance strategy.
1. Dedicated Teams and Resource Allocation
Successful trade compliance strategy starts with a dedicated team. Not part-time, not with shared responsibilities across departments, but a real investment in dedicated professionals who live and breathe the regulations shaping your global trade footprint.
At top-performing companies, trade compliance isn’t an afterthought. Teams are built based on trade volume, product complexity, and geographic scope. A smaller company might need just a few specialists. But as global reach grows, so does the need for a structured, often regional, compliance presence.
Upskilling is also non-negotiable. Certifications like CCS and CES, plus scenario-based workshops and webinars, keep teams sharp and responsive to evolving regulations. Successful businesses engaged in international trade know that compliance professionals aren’t trained once, but continuously, to keep up with industry changes.
Glossary at a Glance
What are CCS and CES?
These are both certifications administered by the NCBFAA Educational Institute that help the international trade community stay informed and educated.
2. Trade Compliance Strategy as a Business Advantage
Compliance isn’t a cost center. It’s a growth enabler. When compliance is aligned with strategic planning, it helps companies move faster and smarter. For one manufacturer, we proactively engaged with foreign regulators to unlock entry into three new international markets ahead of competitors.
Like that client, the best teams involve compliance leaders in early conversations about expansion, sourcing, and supplier onboarding. Embedding compliance into contracts and procurement processes reduces downstream risks and builds trust with partners.
If your compliance team is still seen as the "Department of No,” it’s time to rewrite the script. Showcase the value—less disruption, lower penalties, faster market access—and you’ll gain traction where it counts: the C-suite.
3. Technology Adoption and Innovation
Trade compliance exists in the digital era. If you’re still tracking regulatory obligations on spreadsheets, it's time to integrate new technology.
Smart technology empowers team to do more without replacing them. Automated restricted party screening and centralized trade data platforms deliver immediate impact: fewer errors, faster clearances, and clearer oversight.
Artificial intelligence helps streamline classification and improves risk management through predictive analytics. Integrated platforms also make audits far less painful, thanks to real-time reporting and standardized documentation.
Measuring the ROI is more tangible than you think. Reduced shipment holds, faster border crossings, and time saved on manual tasks all add up to significant cost savings.
Glossary at a Glance
What is Restricted Party Screening?
he process of ensuring you’re not doing business with entities banned by government regulations.
4. Comprehensive Policies and Procedures
Although a dense compliance manual may seem daunting to read through, not having one invites unnecessary risk. High-performing companies treat policies and procedures like the operational backbone they are. Documentation is up-to-date, searchable, and written in plain language.
These policies aren’t designed for the compliance team, of course, but are also actionable guides for procurement, logistics, and sales.
Oversight matters, too. Policies should be reviewed at least annually, or any time there’s a regulatory shift or change in business operations. Those reviews shouldn’t live in a silo. Executive engagement ensures accountability and reinforces the importance of staying current.
Some companies get it wrong by writing policies no one can follow. Practical detail beats boilerplate every time.
5. Regular Audits and Continuous Improvement
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. That’s why top compliance performers embrace internal and third-party audits. Not to “pass a test,” but to spot blind spots before they become legal liabilities.
The most effective audit programs are risk-based. High-risk areas might need quarterly reviews, while lower-risk functions are checked annually. Third-party audits every few years provide a fresh perspective and often surface gaps internal teams overlook.
However, audits alone don’t create culture. Leadership does. Executives must champion compliance, not just as a department but as a shared responsibility. They must celebrate wins, tie compliance metrics to performance goals, and offer training beyond the compliance team. That’s how a culture takes root.
One useful tactic I recommend: a year-end compliance checklist. It’s simple, actionable, and helps teams close the loop on improvements before the new year starts.
Are You Ready
for Next Year?
See the compliance checklist
that will help you get there.
The Bottom Line: Trade Compliance Strategy is Business Strategy
There’s no shortcut to trade compliance success. It involves smart hiring, cross-functional alignment, and the right mix of strategy and innovation. When done well, your trade compliance strategy becomes more than a protective layer: it becomes a performance multiplier.
Here’s what leading organizations get right:
- They allocate resources, not excuses.
- They integrate compliance into strategic decisions.
- They use tech that works for them, not the other way around.
- They document what matters and keep it fresh.
- They audit with intent and improve with purpose.
At Star USA, we go beyond helping businesses avoid trade compliance risks or mistakes. We help them think about their operations and procedures differently, so they’re set up for success. Contact us here to get started.
FAQs About Trade Compliance Strategy
Treating it as a cost center or a side responsibility. That mindset leads to under-resourced teams, outdated policies, and missed opportunities.
Evaluate your team size based on trade volume, geographic scope, and product complexity. Reassess regularly, especially if you’re expanding or changing operations.
Start with automation for repetitive tasks (like restricted party screening) and invest in ongoing training. Small shifts in both areas deliver quick, measurable improvements.
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