Insights
Return to PublicationsFirst Completed Test Run for a Self-driving Truck
February 13, 2018.
Logistics Publications
The first completed test run for a self-driving semi-truck was in early February from Los Angeles, California to Jacksonville, Florida. Embark, the manufacturer of the technology, has created a self-driving truck. The truck is a level 2 self-driving truck which means that there has to be a driver present in order...
Read MoreUpcoming Texas Tax Amnesty
February 09, 2018.
Tax Publications
On December 21, 2017, the 36th Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Glenn Hegar, announced a Texas Tax Amnesty Program to run from May 1, 2018, through June 29, 2018. The temporary program offers relief to delinquent taxpayers in the form of absolving penalties and interest on tax due for certain taxes. The amnesty applies only to...
Read MoreReasonable Care: How Much is Enough?
February 01, 2018.
Trade Publications
There are many interesting concepts in the world of international trade, but perhaps one of the most discussed is “reasonable care.” The trade community was first introduced to this concept after the passage of the Customs Modernization Act in 1993 where Customs and Border Protection “CBP” ruled...
Read MoreMPF Increase in 2018
January 19, 2018.
Logistics Publications
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) adjusted certain user fees effective January 1, 2018. In accordance with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). The minimum merchandise processing fee (MPF) will be increased to $25.67 from $25 and the maximum will be raised to $497.99 from $485. MPF is assessed by CPB...
Read MoreWeather and Its Impact on the Supply Chain
January 17, 2018.
Logistics Publications
It is no mystery to anyone that the winter weather of 2017 into 2018 has been very harsh, especially in the Northeastern regions. While many people saw the effects that Hurricane Irma had on the supply chains of affected regions, many are now understanding that it is not only tropical weather...
Read MoreTax Cuts and Jobs Act: Impact on Taxpayers
January 15, 2018.
Tax Publications
The most sweeping tax reform proposal in over 30 years was signed into law on December 22, 2017, by President Donald Trump after the House and Senate passed the bill. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act) became a reality for US taxpayers beginning with tax years after December 31, 2017. The extensive tax...
Read MoreTransportation and Exportation or Immediate Transportation... What's The Difference?
January 10, 2018.
Trade Publications
There are many mechanisms that can be utilized to benefit a supply chain and shipping costs. Two options are Transportation and Exportation Bonds (T&E) and Immediate Transportation Bonds (IT). However, it is important to know the difference between the two bonds because there can often be confusion about...
Read MoreAir Freight Capacity Issues
December 21, 2017.
Logistics Publications
Peak season used to traditionally take place in August and September as shippers were rushing to get freight delivered for the upcoming holiday season, via ocean. However, the current marketplace, influenced by consumer’s reliance on e-commerce, has shifted away from ocean toward air cargo. As a result, we...
Read MoreSupply Chain Trends to Watch in 2018
December 21, 2017.
Logistics Publications
There are several key supply chain trends to watch in 2018 - Omnichannel Revenue Management The retail supply chain has been going through a massive transformation. Traditional brick and mortar retailers seek to leverage their stores to better compete against Amazon and other e-commerce retailers. ARC’s Chris Cunnane...
Read MoreA Great Alternative for Super Loads
December 19, 2017.
Logistics Publications
When transporting oversized machinery across the United States and Canada — the Great Lakes offer a tempting alternative to rail and truck. The Great Lakes are connected by a series of channels and canals leading ocean vessels and barges inland as far west as Duluth, Minnesota. As manufacturers continue building...
Read MoreWhat can be done to save the Ocean Shipping Industry?
December 18, 2017.
Logistics Publications
Post-2010 through 2012 ocean freight rates were at an all-time high (Petersen, 2016). However, now there have been massive drops in ocean freight prices to historical lows, and the predictions are not good for the end of 2017 going into 2018. In fact, many experts believe that this trend will be very difficult to...
Read MoreDeveloping A Competitive Advantage in International Logistics Communication
December 14, 2017.
Logistics Publications
In the world we live in today, millions of emails, faxes, and documents are exchanged back and forth each day. In industries such as logistics, people are communicating constantly, whether it be in person, video conferencing or international calls. With ongoing global communication, these people face different challenges due to...
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