Description
Erika Vidal-Faulkenberry, The Hershey Company. Presented at the 2010 conference
When determining international sourcing locations, the manufacturing community has traditionally focused on key elements such as quality standards, supplier specifications, food regulations, etc. The purpose of this article is to discuss how additional factors such as trade barriers, country of origin and Harmonized Tariff System classification may significantly affect the feasibility and cost of importing an ingredient into the United States or exporting it to another country. When there is coordination early in the sourcing strategy between the functional area in charge of locating ingredients and the company’s imports compliance group, a proactive approach can minimize importing costs and help avoid delays in the sourcing process.
