Importing isn’t as simple as buying a product overseas and having it show up at your door.
In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles break down three of the most common (and costly) assumptions business owners make about importing—and how those mistakes can quietly erode margins, create compliance risk, and lead to serious problems with U.S. Customs.
If you’re importing—or thinking about it—this is a must-listen.
📌 What You’ll Learn
🔑 Key Takeaways
1. Your Supplier Does NOT Handle Everything
Many importers assume their overseas supplier manages the process.
Reality:
If documentation is wrong—valuation, country of origin, product description—you own the consequences.
“Your supplier may ship the goods—but you own the risk.”
2. Duties Are No Longer Predictable
What used to be a stable, forecastable cost is now a moving target.
“Duty used to be a line item. Now it’s a variable you have to actively manage.”
3. Compliance Is NOT Your Broker’s Job
Hiring a broker does not transfer liability.
“Customs holds the importer accountable—not the broker.”
⚠️ Real-World Risk
Even when no one is trying to cut corners:
…can result in:
🧠 The Bigger Insight
All three mistakes come down to one thing:
👉 Misunderstanding responsibility
Importing is not passive.
The companies that succeed:
🎯 Who This Episode Is For
📣 Mentioned in This Episode
Credits
Hosts:
Produced by: Global Training Center
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