Jewelry TV Sees a 50% Reduction in Drawback Workload
This case study demonstrates how the right Drawback partner results in less work and better results.
The Challenge:
Jewelry Television, a leading retailer with a vertically integrated operation based entirely in Knoxville, TN, faced a daunting challenge: navigating the complex world of duty drawback for their international jewelry imports and exports. With over 1,000 employees and a global supply chain, JTV needed a reliable way to recover duties on returned or re-exported merchandise.
Paul Goodale, Director of Procurement, took on the task with limited knowledge of duty drawback. Despite his background in supply chain and logistics, the process proved to be more intricate than anticipated. Early partnerships with drawback providers were disappointing—one partner delivered minimal results, while another abandoned the project after a year and a half, citing the jewelry category as too tedious and labor-intensive.
The Solution:
After extensive outreach to industry contacts, Paul was repeatedly referred to International Tariff Management. JTV partnered with ITM, and the transformation began.
From the start, ITM’s hands-on approach and deep experience with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made a significant difference. ITM helped JTV overcome previous setbacks, streamline their documentation process, and begin filing claims every two to three weeks. The partnership quickly proved to be more efficient and far less labor-intensive than previous attempts.
ITM worked closely with Paul and his team to:
- Simplify the documentation process: JTV’s RTV (Return to Vendor) department provided export paperwork, which Paul matched with import documentation and sent to ITM.
- Ensure compliance and accuracy: ITM’s team, especially Doug, provided quick feedback and helped resolve any discrepancies.
- Catch up on backlog: JTV was able to get nearly all historical exports processed, avoiding losses due to the five-year eligibility window.
- Maintain ongoing filings: With a smooth system in place, JTV now submits claims regularly and efficiently.
The Impact:
- 50% reduction in workload for Paul compared to previous partners.
- Consistent drawback filings every few weeks.
- Near-complete backlog recovery, maximizing refund potential.
- Improved internal processes and reduced friction with CBP.
- Strong partnership with ITM, including direct access to leadership and responsive support.
The Takeaway:
- ITM Handled the ‘Hard’ Categories
- Previous partners walked away from jewelry.
- Simplified Documentation with ITM
- Rapid, Responsive Support from ITM
- Direct access to ITM’s team for quick discrepancy resolution.
- ITM's 40+ Years of CBP Relationships
- Less friction, faster approvals, fewer headaches.
- ITM Submitted the Backlog Before It Expired
- Near-complete historical recovery before the 5-year window closed.
Paul's Story:
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