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EMO Trans has been implementing customized global logistics solutions for over 50 years.
With over 100 EMO Trans offices and EMO Trans headquarters in 25 countries and 250+ network offices in 120 countries covering 6 continents, the company is known and admired as nimble, yet stable, and filled with people who are proud to deliver the personalized service of a privately-held company with the robust infrastructure of a multi-national leader.
Today we’re getting into a part of freight forwarding most people never see until something goes wrong: compliance. And not the boring checkbox version. I mean the real-world stuff that can stop freight at the border, ground a shipment, or put a company at risk if it’s handled carelessly.
We note that the all-important forwarder function of compliance is always on the mind of our industry and of course is headlining conversations at trade shows and conferences.
So here we share a conversation with Sven Frigger, Vice President Compliance at EMO Trans. What makes his team really interesting is that, for the last few years, it’s been an all-women group—six gals and a guy leading the way to compliance at one of the most dynamic and respected, fastest growing logistics operations in the world, handling a seriously complex workload across air and ocean.
What are the biggest compliance challenges currently facing the global logistics industry?
Shifting regulations and volatile tariffs, combined with ongoing geopolitical disruptions, are creating a highly unstable global trade environment. Governments are frequently updating trade policies, sanctions, and duty structures, forcing companies to continuously reassess classification, origin, and cost impacts. At the same time, conflicts and regional tensions are disrupting key shipping lanes and airspace, leading to rerouting, longer transit times, and increased fuel costs. These changes not only drive up transportation expenses but can also alter compliance requirements mid-shipment, making it more difficult for logistics providers to maintain accuracy, control costs, and ensure regulatory compliance in real time.
What are common compliance mistakes that companies make, and what are the repercussions they face?
Companies often make compliance-impacting mistakes such as misclassification of goods, vague or incomplete cargo descriptions, missing or inaccurate documentation, and reliance on untrained or underinformed staff. These errors can lead to incorrect duty payments, delays in customs clearance, shipment holds, or even regulatory penalties and fines. In more serious cases, repeated violations may trigger audits, loss of trusted trader status, or increased scrutiny from authorities, ultimately disrupting operations and damaging both financial performance and business relationships.
What are the most common errors you see in export filings?
Common AES filing errors typically include incorrect or incomplete commodity descriptions, misclassification of goods, missing or inaccurate export values, inaccurate party information such as ultimate consignee details. Other frequent mistakes involve failing to report required licenses or using incorrect exemption codes. Late or missing filings can also create compliance issues which could result in fines.
What are some best practices EMO has put in place to ensure minimal regulatory risks?
Best practices in place include a combination of audits, along with routine daily, weekly, and monthly reviews of system-generated reports to proactively identify and correct errors. Branch and internal audits are conducted on a regular, risk-based schedule to ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies. Internal audits are typically performed annually or more frequently depending on operational risk, while branch-level reviews may occur periodically throughout the year. In addition, external Quality Management System (QMS) audits aligned with standards such as International Organization for Standardization ISO requirements (e.g., ISO 9001) are conducted at defined intervals by certified third-party auditors. Together, these regulatory, internal, and external audits help ensure consistent adherence to compliance standards, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement across operations.
In addition, employees are empowered with the tools, resources, and training they need—both required and elective—to support accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement across operations. We maintain a structured training and certification process that includes ongoing, job-specific training tailored to individual roles, along with mandatory annual regulatory and security training to ensure compliance with industry requirements. In addition, personnel are encouraged to pursue further professional development by enrolling in optional courses of choice that align with their responsibilities and support their continued growth and effectiveness in their roles.
The corporate compliance team is also readily accessible, serving as a resource for both internal staff and external clients to provide guidance, answer questions, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
How is automation improving compliance accuracy?
Automation streamlines data entry, standardizes processes, and reduces reliance on manual inputs that are prone to error. While automation continues to evolve, it already helps minimize typographical mistakes and oversights common in manual processes, while also reducing the time required to complete tasks—ultimately lowering frustration among operators and improving overall efficiency. In addition, automation supports more accurate sustainability tracking in transportation by enabling better calculation and reporting of emissions and environmental impact, helping organizations align compliance efforts with growing environmental and regulatory expectations..
How does strong compliance benedit EMO customers?
Strong compliance directly benefits customers by ensuring their shipments move efficiently, accurately, and in full alignment with regulatory requirements. It reduces the risk of delays, penalties, or disruptions by getting classifications, documentation, and filings right the first time. In addition, it provides customers with confidence that their supply chain is being managed responsibly and transparently, protecting their reputation while supporting consistent service, predictable costs, and smoother overall operations. Many of our customers have long-standing relationships with us and benefit from direct access to members of the compliance team, who stay current with today’s rapidly changing environment through ongoing training, conferences, webinars, and other professional development—sharing updates and relevant details with clients to keep them informed and ahead of regulatory changes.
Compliance plays a critical role in shaping a company’s reputation by demonstrating integrity, reliability, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Strong compliance practices build trust with clients, partners, and regulators, while reducing risk and ensuring consistent, high-quality operations.
Reprinted with permission |
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