TRQ IMPORT ALLOCATION INSPECTIONS
OBTAINING A TRQ IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY!
We have previously written about tariff rate quota (“TRQ”) applications for dairy and poultry here. While many businesses may view obtaining a TRQ import allocation as the final step of the process, the reality is that it is very much the beginning of the TRQ process.
Both Applicants and Allocation Holders (i.e., persons/organizations issued a TRQ import allocation) remain subject to ongoing importer compliance obligations under the Export and Import Permits Act (“EIPA”), the Import Allocation Regulations (“IAR”) and associated TRQ policies (collectively, the “TRQ Regime”). As EIPA inspectors have broad inspection powers, failing to adhere to these compliance obligations could lead to significant financial (and other more serious) consequences.