Trade compliance: Best practices for businesses

Released On 16th Jan 2026

International trade is becoming increasingly important in today’s global economy. However, trading goods between countries is easier said than done.

To import into or export out of a country, you must abide by customs rules and regulations. This is called trade compliance.

However, these rules tend to differ between countries and are constantly being reviewed and updated – and complying with regulations can become complex and confusing.

So, as a specialist Importer and Exporter of Record, we’re exploring trade compliance and identifying four best practices to help you stay compliant.

What is trade compliance?

Trade compliance is the process of following all international, national and industry-specific rules and regulations for the import and export of goods.

This covers many aspects of the process, including proper documentation, product classification, sanctions, duties and licences. These regulations are frequently being reviewed and refined – often with little notice – and vary across different countries and industries.

Some countries may require certain licences and permits that others do not. For example, the China Compulsory Certificate (CCC Licence) is required for any product manufactured, imported, sold or used in the Chinese market.

For technology in particular, many products are subject to extra controls and permissions. This is especially true for dual-use products (technology that can be used by both civilians and the military) which require additional licences.

Despite these complex and ever-changing regulations, all importers and exporters are expected to understand and adhere to them. Failure to do so will result in fines, delays and potential seizure of your shipment.

So, what are some best practices you can rely on to ensure trade compliance in every shipment?

1. Understand your goods

Accurate knowledge of what you are shipping is the foundation of trade compliance. It allows you to correctly determine important information for your documentation and licences, including:

Product description
Product classification (HS codes)
Fair valuation
Country of origin

Misclassification or incorrect valuation is one of the most common causes of customs delays and penalties – especially for technology.

At Mouse & Bear, we’re experts in understanding our clients and their goods. We can help accurately identify product information and even support you with a valuation if you’re unsure.

2. Provide accurate documentation

Customs documentation must be complete, accurate and consistent across all records. Key documents include commercial invoices, packing lists, airway bills, certificates of origin and other documents specific to that country.

Even the smallest errors or inconsistencies in these documents can cause delays in your shipment, such as wrong information in the commercial invoice, incorrect product codes or documents that are missing completely!

At Mouse & Bear, we can support you throughout the documentation process – whether you need us to complete these documents on your behalf or simply require a compliance check to make sure everything is in order.

3. Keep on top of licencing, permits, duties and taxes

Many countries require import or export licences for controlled or restricted items, such as telecoms equipment, high-value items or dual-use technology.

So, licensing should always be completed before shipping!

This ensures enough time for your licences to be approved, since approval times differ by country and might take longer than expected. If your goods arrive at the border with a missing or unauthorised licence, customs authorities may delay or deny entry!

Pre-payment of duties and taxes can also be beneficial in the customs process.

By planning ahead, goods can be released into the country as soon as possible. Failure to do this can result in unexpected delays and additional storage costs until the payment goes through.

At Mouse & Bear, we can take on all these tasks for you. We can apply for licences and permits on your behalf and can pre-pay all customs clearance charges to make the customs process as smooth as possible!

4. Monitor regulatory changes often

Trade compliance is often seen as a moving target.

Different countries have different regulations – and these regulations are constantly evolving and adapting to real world changes. Plus, the growing uncertainty around US tariffs has made compliance even harder to predict!

To keep your shipments compliant, you must keep on top of these changing regulations and frequently monitor them.

However, you should avoid relying heavily on existing knowledge or AI tools to help you do so, as they may lag behind and provide you with outdated information.

At Mouse & Bear, we’re experts at trade compliance. Our knowledgeable team understand the ins and outs of customs regulations, helping you keep your shipments compliant every time.

How can Mouse & Bear support you?

At Mouse & Bear, we’re a specialist Importer and Exporter of Record. We help businesses move technology across the globe with our bespoke customs support and tailored import plans.

For over 10 years, our expert team have helped those in the technology sector ship computers, networking equipment, telecoms hardware, medical technology and more, to over 160 countries.

If you’re looking for expert support to manage trade compliance, we’re here to help.

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