B3 Form Building Services: Data Management for Customs Brokerage Companies

O2I offers time-bound and accurate B3 form building services to the Canadian customs-brokerage industry. We also provide a range of specialized data processing services to customs brokers with operations spread over the U.S. and the UK.

As international trade gets more complex, businesses are increasingly entrusting their customs processing to experienced customs brokerage firms. Licensed customs brokers are specialists in international customs laws and regulations. They have in-depth understanding of the documentation and administrative requirements associated with processing shipments through customs - within reasonable time frames and at minimum costs to the consignee.

One of O2I’s key data processing services for customs brokers in Canada is the B3 Form generation. The B3 Form (also known as the Canada Customs Coding Form) is a detailed online accounting report to be submitted electronically to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for processing shipments through customs and allowing their entry into Canada.

O2I’s expert data processing team is proficient in customs regulations working as a seamless extension of customs brokerage companies to process critical shipment data and generate completed B3 forms well within required turnaround times.

Data Processing for Customs Brokers – B3 Form Building Process

The Data processing function at O2I goes through the following well-defined steps:

1. Customs brokerage firms scan documents pertaining to shipments and store them on their servers. Alternatively, document images can be uploaded onto O2I’s secure servers or sent to us by fax or e-mail.
2. Authorized O2I team members access the scanned documents for data processing. The documents are indexed, sorted and put through a basic front-end data entry before detailed inputting of data for B3 form generation.
3. Team members log onto the customer’s Document Management System and select files to be processed based on priority and expected turnaround time.
4. Each team member looks over the entire set of document images before making a single data entry. They also review the accompanying valuation notes, electronic worksheets and CADEX (Customs Automated Data Exchange) notes in detail. This gives greater clarity on cash discounts, tariffs, value for duty (VFD) codes and vendor relationships.
5. Team members begin data entry into the B3 form. They select available data elements from multiple documents. Where applicable they calculate appropriate values such as additions or deductions to the declared invoice value (eg. insurance, discounts and customs duty applicable) for completing the B3 form.
6. A single team member completes data entry for each shipment. Any inconsistencies or non-availability of information is brought to the attention of the Project Manager who resolves these issues. Where necessary, the Project Manager communicates with the customer for clarifications.
7. Each completed B3 form is verified by Quality Assurance experts, saved and then submitted.

The B3 form building process at O2I involves a lot more than just ‘keying in’ of data. The O2I team brings in a high degree of engagement at every stage of data management for customs-brokerage companies. While team members select available data components from multiple document sources, variables such as customs duty, freight, insurance and discounts are calculated for input into the B3 form. The data processing team at Outsource2india determines the applicable Tariff Treatment, Value for Duty Code (VFD) and NAFTA certification status for accurate completion of the B3 form.

Our team is also competent on the entire range of internationally recognized shipping standards, referred to as Values Components and does the necessary computations for any value components mentioned in a shipment invoice.

A continuous process of informed decision-making goes on at each stage of data processing for customs brokers at O2I. Our Team Members have in-depth knowledge of all procedures and computations involved in data processing for customs brokers.

Quality Assurance Measures

At Outsource2india, quality assurance is practiced at each stage of the data processing. At the individual level, team members take a thorough and detailed approach to the B3 form building. They review completed lines in the B3 for any data elements omitted or unaccounted for initially. Once completed, B3 forms are verified for accuracy of critical details by Quality Assurance experts, saved and then submitted.

O2I’s Data Processing Team

Process Experts intensively train the O2I team in data management processes specific to their firms. A dedicated Transition Manager from O2I visits the customer's site if necessary, to understand processes and facilitate the partnership during the initial stages of the project.

The O2I data processing team has grown over the years into a strong taskforce proficient in the practices, terminology, documentation and protocols of international customs clearance.

Individual team members work at maximum accuracy levels and are competent to make informed decisions and computations on cash and trade discounts, insurance, Tariff Treatment and any other details of the shipment at various stages of data processing for customs brokers.

Tools and Technologies

Dual Monitors

The entire data processing is done on two separate monitors. This allows unhindered viewing of scanned document images on one screen and data input in the second screen. Dual monitors give employees the advantage of a single screen, zoomed-in view of all scanned document images without having to repetitively scroll down. This ensures better accuracy in data entry.

Document Management Systems (DMS)

The O2I team is competent to work on the customer’s Document Management System (DMS) or other applications specific to the project. By working within the customers’ systems and applications we function as a seamless extension to customs brokers helping them in speedy data processing and B3 form building.

Outsourcing Data Processing for Customs Brokers to O2I: Highlights

• Data processing based on priority of shipments
• Dual Monitor system for better viewing and input of data
• Accuracy levels as high as 98% in data processing
• Quick turnarounds ahead of expected time frames

Outsource your Data Processing Services to O2I

If you are an international customs brokerage firm with complex data processing needs, outsourcing to O2I can help you achieve quicker turnarounds and enhanced accuracy at very competitive prices.

At O2I, we go beyond routine data input functions bringing high levels of analytical, reasoning and computational skills to the entire data processing function. We are aware that the competence of our team directly impacts your operations.

Contact us for professional and high quality Data Processing and Data Management for customs brokerage companies.