Insights

The Fate of NAFTA: Threats and Reality

August 29, 2018.
Trade Publications

On Monday August 27th, 2018 the Trump administration announced that it had reached a “preliminary agreement in principle” with Mexico. Hailed as the US- Mexico Trade Agreement, the preliminary deal promotes streamlining certification and verification of rules of origin requirements, particularly in the automotive sector. Per the United...

The Breakdown – Section 232 and Sections 301

August 28, 2018.
Trade Publications

Section 232: What is it? In 1962, Congress passed a piece of legislation called the Trade Expansion Act which was generally intended to do just that, expand trade. It gave President Kennedy the authority to cut or eliminate tariffs on many goods. The purpose of this act, like all others, is...

Australia Takes Measures to Stop Stink Bugs

August 28, 2018.
Logistics Publications

Due to several detections within the last year, the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has introduced import measures to manage the risk of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB). These measures are seasonal and will cover ocean imports during the period that is deemed the high-risk season (Sept 1, 2018...

Alberta gas prices to reach 4 year high in 2018 due to increase in carbon tax

August 27, 2018.
Logistics Publications

The carbon tax levy in Canada began in March 2007, when Alberta became North America’s first jurisdiction to legislate greenhouse gas reductions reports the Alberta Oil Magazine. The purpose of the putting a tax on carbon was to incentivize families and companies...

Successfully Qualify Organized Camps for Sales Tax Exemptions

August 24, 2018.
Tax Publications

In July 2018, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) reissued Publication 127, Organized Camps. The state of California defines “Organized Camps” as traditional camps that offer outdoor group living experiences such as camps operated by the YMCA and the Boy Scouts of America. Organized camps sell meals...

Bottom Line Costs with Shipping to and from China

August 20, 2018.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

“Made in China,” seeing this printed on a variety of goods brings up a variety of thoughts from about moving USA products overseas, varying quality of goods, reduced costs on electronics and clothing, etc. For decades, the USA has been intricately intertwined with the mega trading partner that...

Revamp of FMCSA Regulations

August 15, 2018.
Logistics Publications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), have announced a small-scale test to acquire data to identify high risk carriers within the Department of Transportation. This data will contribute better information for their Safety Management System (SMS). The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have structured a committee to analyze the...

Industry Regulations Creates Challenges for Truck Drivers

August 07, 2018.
Logistics Publications

As high demand for transporting goods increases, truck drivers are increasingly hard to come by throughout the United States. Currently, it is estimated that the US trucking industry is short about 50,000 drivers. In a recent survey conducted by American Transportation Research Institute, driver shortage ranked first among industry concerns. As...

The Last Mile Challenge: Overcoming the Greatest Obstacle in Logistics

August 03, 2018.
Logistics Publications

The last-mile is a term used in logistics that generally means the transit from the final hub to the delivery destination of products (What is last, 2018a). While this is in many cases the shortest part of a trip, the costs of this trip often runs between 28-29% of...

Back to School Florida Sales Tax Holiday 2018

August 01, 2018.
Tax Publications

The State of Florida Department of Revenue has issued a Tax Information Publication (TIP #18A01-07) regarding its 2018 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which begins Friday, August 3, 2018 and runs through Sunday, August 5, 2018. Passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rick Scott, the sales tax holiday temporarily removes...

Peace in Korea brings expectation to expanded logistics opportunities by Railway

July 30, 2018.
Logistics Publications

Thinking back the historical meeting held in April between North and South Korea has been attracting huge attention over the world. This discussion has risen anticipation of peace in the East Asian region but, also of positive effects on economic growth. Logistics is considered as one of the business getting...

A Truck Driver Shortage in the U.S.

July 23, 2018.
Logistics Publications

America’s economy relies on the trucking industry, with approximately 71% of all freight tonnage moved via truck. In total, more than 10 billion tons of freight are moved by truck each year in America. Clearly, the trucking industry and the economy are inextricably linked, so any disruptions to the trucking...