Samuel Draginich
Senior Trade Compliance Manager, EMEA at Amazon EU
Luxembourg
Sam has been involved in trade compliance since 2012. He has extensive experience with the Harmonized System tariff schedule; particularly the U.S. HTS, E.U. TARIC, Vietnam, Australia, Hong Kong and Canadian schedules. In addition, he has extensive experience with dual-use export controls, free trade agreements/preferential origin and compliance program audits.
In 2018 he played an integral role in launching a branch office of INTRAL Corporation (USA) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Additionally, he serves on the Private Sector Committee of the USAID Trade Facilitation Program in Vietnam.
In April 2022 he joined Amazon EU where he serves as Senior Trade Compliance Manager, EMEA.
Contact information
Email:sam.draginich@gmail.com
LinkedIn:Samuel Draginich
Content by Samuel Draginich
Targeting compliance in the minefield of customs (trade) rules
Samuel Draginich23 Aug 2022
Targeting compliance in the minefield of customs (trade) rules
‘I would recommend trade compliance to anyone with the ability to distil complex, rigid structures down to a practical reality. Trade compliance rules are a minefield that even the most seasoned professionals cannot confidently claim they have a complete grasp of. If you're willing to constantly be challenged and willing...
Compliance
Topic spotlight
Keeping abreast of U.S. CBP’s current strategies and developmentsSamuel Draginich29 May 2022
Keeping abreast of U.S. CBP’s current strategies and developments
Every year U.S. Customs and Border Protection (‘CBP’) releases the ‘CBP Trade and Travel Report’. Trade compliance practitioners should take note of these annual reports to keep abreast of CBP’s current strategies and developments. Additionally, the information contained can provide insight into CBP’s strategic outlook for the future, a valuable...
Compliance
Country update
The pitfalls of free trade agreements - claiming back duty paid due to errorSamuel Draginich27 Nov 2021
The pitfalls of free trade agreements - claiming back duty paid due to error
Let’s examine one specific pitfall importers/exports frequently fall victim to when trading under the auspices of a free trade agreement.
Duties & taxes
Origin
Topic spotlight
Using LTSDs to qualify goods under preferential origin agreementsSamuel Draginich29 Oct 2021
Using LTSDs to qualify goods under preferential origin agreements
A practical tutorial for customs and trade compliance professionals on rescuing a preferential origin claim when a bill-of-materials component fails the change of tariff heading (CTH) rule, using a long-term supplier's declaration (LTSD). Topics covered: How preferential origin (free trade) agreements let goods qualify: wholly obtained, accumulation, or change of...
Origin
EVFTA: proof of origin when consignments are split in a country of transitSamuel Draginich25 Jun 2021
EVFTA: proof of origin when consignments are split in a country of transit
The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into force on 1 August 2020. It is one of the most noteworthy EU FTAs that have come into force in recent years as it brings closer one of the world’s largest economic blocs with the fastest-growing emerging economy in the world. Vietnam...
Procedures
Origin
Topic spotlight
FTA mechanics - change in tariff heading and long-term supplier declarationsSamuel Draginich29 May 2021
FTA mechanics - change in tariff heading and long-term supplier declarations
Preferential origin agreements (or free trade agreements) generally have 3 methods by which goods can qualify depending on the specific tariff heading: wholly obtained, cumulation and change of tariff heading (CTH). This article will discuss what happens when a good must qualify via CTH but cannot fulfill the rules.
Procedures
Origin
Topic spotlight
U.S. export law between third countriesSamuel Draginich16 Feb 2021
U.S. export law between third countries
While most trade compliance professionals are likely aware of U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR) as it pertains to exports originating from the U.S., many are not aware its scope can extend to shipments that do not physically involve the U.S.
Sanctions
Topic spotlight
Popular articles
Targeting compliance in the minefield of customs (trade) rules
Targeting compliance in the minefield of customs (trade) rules
23 Aug 2022
‘I would recommend trade compliance to anyone with the ability to distil complex, rigid structures down to a practical reality. Trade compliance rules are a minefield that even the most seasoned professionals cannot confidently claim they have a complete grasp of. If you're willing to constantly be challenged and willing...
Topic spotlight
Compliance
Keeping abreast of U.S. CBP’s current strategies and developments
Keeping abreast of U.S. CBP’s current strategies and developments
29 May 2022
Every year U.S. Customs and Border Protection (‘CBP’) releases the ‘CBP Trade and Travel Report’. Trade compliance practitioners should take note of these annual reports to keep abreast of CBP’s current strategies and developments. Additionally, the information contained can provide insight into CBP’s strategic outlook for the future, a valuable...
Country update
Compliance
The pitfalls of free trade agreements - claiming back duty paid due to error
The pitfalls of free trade agreements - claiming back duty paid due to error
27 Nov 2021
Let’s examine one specific pitfall importers/exports frequently fall victim to when trading under the auspices of a free trade agreement.
Topic spotlight
Duties & taxes
Origin