Insights

“Tariff Diplomacy” means Tariff Volatility: Colombia and the Trump Presidency

January 27, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro barred two military flights from the USA from landing in his country. The flights contained deportees of Colombian citizens, and President Petro claimed he would not accept the flights because they constituted an afront to the dignity of the deportees. ...

Artificial Intelligence – Trade Compliance Applications

January 23, 2025.
Trade Publications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made leaps and bounds in the last few years. If you can remember when Apple released their AI companion, "Siri" in October of 2011, it was a breakthrough in how humanity interacted with technology. As of 2024, artificial intelligence can do more than just search the internet or...

Where is the Trade War? An Update on Trump’s Trade Plan at the Beginning of His Term

January 22, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

On January 20, 2025, the newly inaugurated President Trump signed 118 executive orders (EOs) before the proverbial sun set on his first day in office, but businesses and trade stakeholders in the US, Mexico, and Canada alike watching avidly for an EO pertaining to tariffs against Mexico and Canada need not have stayed...

U.S. Blacklists China’s Largest Shipping Line Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

January 16, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

The United States has recently blacklisted China’s largest shipping line, Cosco Shipping Holdings Co., along with two shipbuilders, China State Shipbuilding Corp. and China Shipbuilding Trading Co., due to alleged links with the People’s Liberation Army. This move, announced in a Federal Register filing, designates these...

European Union and Mercosur Strike a Deal with Free Trade Agreement

January 02, 2025.
Trade Publications

After 25 years of negotiating, the European Union and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Bolivia (newly), Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) have established terms for a Free Trade Agreement. Proponents of the deal claim it will save $4.26 billion in duties each year – highlighted products include Italian wine, Argentine steak, and German Volkswagens. ...

Section 321 – Does Not Exceed $800 – Release 2

January 02, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

The exponential growth of e-commerce has resulted in more shipments than ever clearing, duty-free, under the section 321 de minimis exemption. For example, in 2024, more than one billion packages were cleared in this manner. Using section 321 when it is not applicable allows importers to underpay customs duties and skirt reporting requirements...

Prepare Like a Pro: Organizing and Retaining Documents for 1099 Filing

January 02, 2025.
Tax Publications

Proper organization and retention of essential documents are critical for maintaining compliance, ensuring accuracy, and streamlining administrative processes. Establishing a systematic approach to document management not only saves time but also reduces the risk of errors or penalties due to missing or misplaced records. In this guide, we outline best...

A Trade War With…Canada? Proposed Tariffs Against the North as well as East

December 31, 2024.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

Less than a month after his election win, President-elect Donald Trump disabused anyone holding the notion that his trade sanctions were targeted only at China by announcing he would sign 25% blanket tariffs against all products imported from the USA’s other two top trading partners, Mexico and Canada, adding...

In Case You Missed It: Last Week in Allyn Tax News (Dec 20)

December 20, 2024.
Tax Publications

Allyn Tax Fun Facts Happy Monday! Are you ready for more Allyn Tax Fun Facts? Live wreaths and garlands may be considered tax-exempt agricultural products in some states, but artificial versions are almost always taxable. To learn more, ask an expert here: https://lnkd.in/eMTnUw3y 12 Days of...

1099 Essentials: Key Concepts and Common Challenges

December 12, 2024.
Tax Publications

In the United States tax system, the 1099 form plays a vital role in ensuring accurate reporting of various types of payments made to non-employees, such as independent contractors, freelancers, and vendors. This form is named after Section 1099 of the U.S. tax code, which governs how these payments are reported...

Expanding to a New Location: Leveraging the Benefits of Freeport Exemptions

December 11, 2024.
Tax Publications

In light of the recent presidential election, president-elect Donald Trump has made a statement regarding the future of tariffs. He has expressed interest in increasing tariff rates up to 60% on items from China, and 10-20% on goods from other countries. For more information on these changes, please refer to Post...

Automation in Logistics: Job Killer or Efficiency Booster?

December 06, 2024.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

The logistics industry has always been the backbone of global trade, ensuring that goods move seamlessly from one point to another. However, as the world embraces technological advancements, the adoption of automation in logistics has sparked intense debates. Is it a job killer threatening livelihoods, or is it an efficiency...