Customs Compliance
Assistance with customs documentation, classification, valuation, and adherence to import and export regulations.
Compliance Consulting
Our team of seasoned professionals provides strategic guidance to ensure your business adheres to all applicable laws and standards. As a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder, W.M. Stone brings hands-on trade compliance experience to every engagement, not abstract theory. We help you build compliance practices that protect your shipments, your budget, and your reputation.
Your Trusted Partner for Regulatory Compliance Consulting Services.
With 250+ years of combined industry experience, W.M. Stone helps you get ahead of regulatory change instead of reacting to it. In a dynamic regulatory environment, staying compliant protects both your operations and your market reputation, and our consulting services are tailored to your specific industry needs.
W.M. Stone helps you stay ahead of regulatory changes and avoid potential penalties, whether the issue is a customs entry, an export license, or a gap in your supply chain security program. As a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder, W.M. Stone brings hands-on trade experience to every compliance engagement. Because compliance touches every part of a shipment, from classification and valuation to how the goods actually move, our consultants bring both trade law fluency and operational logistics experience to the table when we design a compliance program for your organization.
Regulatory Expertise
Our consultants possess in-depth knowledge of international trade laws, customs regulations, and industry-specific standards, ensuring your operations comply with all legal requirements.
Risk Assessment and Mitigation
We conduct thorough evaluations of your current practices to identify compliance gaps and implement effective risk management strategies before they become penalties or shipment holds.
Training and Development
Empower your team with customized training programs designed to foster a culture of compliance and awareness within your organization.
Consulting Backed by Operating Experience
Because W.M. Stone is both a licensed customs broker and a freight forwarder, our compliance guidance reflects the realities of moving freight, not just the letter of the regulation. The same firm that helps you design a compliance program can also execute the customs filings and freight movement behind it.
Our Compliance Consulting Services.
From documentation to training, our consultants cover every layer of a durable trade compliance program.
Trade Compliance Audits
Comprehensive reviews of your trade practices to ensure conformity with applicable laws and identify areas for improvement.
Export Controls and Licensing
Guidance on export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), ensuring proper licensing and compliance.
Supply Chain Security
Development and implementation of security protocols to protect your supply chain from potential threats and ensure compliance with programs like C-TPAT.
Regulatory Training Programs
Customized training sessions to educate your staff on compliance requirements, fostering a culture of compliance within your organization.
Tariff and Trade Program Advisory
Guidance on tariff exposure and classification strategy across frameworks such as HTS classification, AD/CVD (antidumping and countervailing duty) orders, Section 301, and Section 232, helping you understand how these programs may apply to your goods.
The W.M. Stone Commitment.
We are dedicated to providing:
Proactive Compliance Strategies
Anticipate and adapt to regulatory changes with our forward-thinking approach, ensuring continuous compliance.
Customized Solutions
Our services are tailored to align with your business objectives and industry requirements, providing practical and effective compliance solutions.
Confidentiality and Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that your sensitive information is handled with utmost care and confidentiality.
Related Trade Compliance Services.
Compliance consulting works hand in hand with these related capabilities.
Customs Brokerage
Licensed entry filing, classification, and clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.Foreign-Trade Zone Services
Defer, reduce, or eliminate duties on qualifying goods held or processed in an FTZ.Duty Drawback
Recover eligible duties paid on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed.Commonly Asked Questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most from businesses evaluating a trade compliance program.
What does compliance consulting with W.M. Stone actually involve?
It starts with understanding your current practices, including how you handle customs documentation, classification, export licensing, and supply chain security. From there, our consultants identify compliance gaps and build a practical, customized plan to close them, whether that means process changes, staff training, or ongoing regulatory monitoring.
Do you help with customs documentation and classification specifically?
Yes. Our customs compliance work covers documentation, classification, valuation, and adherence to import and export regulations. Because W.M. Stone is also a licensed U.S. customs broker, we can carry that guidance through to the actual entry filing if you need a broker of record, not just advice.
Can you help with export controls like ITAR and EAR?
Yes. Our export controls and licensing guidance addresses regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), so you can secure proper licensing and stay compliant when shipping controlled goods.
What is a trade compliance audit and do I need one?
A trade compliance audit is a comprehensive review of your current trade practices against applicable laws and regulations, used to surface gaps before they become penalties or shipment delays. If it has been a while since your last review, or your product mix or trade lanes have changed, an audit is a reasonable place to start.
Do you provide compliance training for our staff?
Yes. Our regulatory training programs are customized sessions designed to educate your team on the compliance requirements that matter to your business, helping build a culture of compliance rather than a one-time checklist.
How do I get started with a compliance review?
Call us at (757) 800-6080 or email info@wmstone.com and our consulting team will walk through your current practices, trade lanes, and pain points to scope the right engagement. You can also reach our Norfolk office at 555 E. Main St, Suite 803, Norfolk, VA 23510.
Our Accreditations.
Trusted Compliance Consulting with W.M. Stone..
With a history of successful compliance engagements across various industries, W.M. Stone is your reliable partner in navigating the complexities of regulatory requirements.