Patent ID: 7739248

Claim:
Computer-readable storage media embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to perform a method for Harmonized Tariff Schedule (“HTS”) auditing by an importer using a software user interface and an importer database coupled to the software user interface using one or more layers of executable code, the method comprising: an importer receiving from a customs broker in electronic form: scanned images of entry packets relating to products imported by the importer which the customs broker assembled and submitted to U.S. customs, each entry packet including at least one commercial invoice, at least one shipping manifest, and at least one U.S. customs form which the customs broker prepared and which sets forth an HTS code and a duty relating to at least one of the products; and a broker database containing information relating to the entry packets in an electronically comparable form; the importer entering the scanned images and the information in the broker database into a first repository in the importer database; the importer linking the scanned images and the information in the broker database to corresponding records of the importer about the products in a second repository in the importer database; the importer electronically and methodically comparing the information in the broker database with the corresponding records of the importer; the importer comparing information in the scanned images with the corresponding records of the importer; the comparing including comparing an HTS code on one of the customs forms with an HTS code with the corresponding records of the importer; the importer identifying one or more discrepancies between information in the broker database and/or the scanned images and the corresponding records of the importer based on the comparisons, thereby auditing the entry packets; the importer generating a report identifying the one or more discrepancies between the information in the broker database and/or the scanned images and the corresponding records of the importer; and the importer taking remedial action to correct the discrepancies.