• Think about who should submit 10+2 data
If the required information resides with different parties — parties who may or may not be willing to share it with you — will you be comfortable if they submit it, perhaps to a neutral third party? To accommodate different scenarios, many systems providers have developed tools that will collect transmissions from disparate sources and combine the data into a single ISF submission.

• Strengthen relationships with supply chain partners
Importers are asking overseas agents, suppliers, and freight forwarders to provide more information than ever before. Nobody enjoys added burdens, but they will have to be service-oriented and cooperative if they want to maintain their status as preferred vendors. Be sensitive to the fact that the proposed rule will change your partners’ business processes also. For example, customs brokers primarily are involved with events at the destination, but most of the 10+2 information relates to the point of origin. As a result, they may need to forge closer relationships with freight forwarders and logistics service providers at the point of origin.

• Clarify and formalize changing responsibilities
Some companies include broad enough wording in their supplier contracts to cover almost any additional responsibilities that may arise, but not all contracts are written in such a way. If your contracts don’t allow for such contingencies, add them in and specify what happens if someone fails to perform his or her new duties properly.