Insights

Claiming US Goods Returned (9801) – Is it worth the risk?

February 17, 2017.
Trade Publications

American manufacturers, importers, and other entities are often encouraged to take advantage of the Customs “US Goods Returned” program, also known as 9801 for the HTS heading that is used to claim the duty relief. What many do not realize is the heavy burden of proof that is...

Ocean Shipping Rates To Increase In 2020

February 10, 2017.
Logistics Publications

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) rule requiring the use of low-sulfur bunker fuel will become effective January 1, 2020. This new ruling is predicted to increase the cost of fuel from 40 – 100 percent. In dollar and cents, that’s an increase of 5 - 30 billion dollars. The severity will depend upon the...

Will the New Administration Affect Freight Rates?

February 06, 2017.
Logistics Publications

We find ourselves two weeks into a new presidential administration that has promised radical change and a total departure from how things have operated over the last eight years. One of the most talked about policy areas, and potentially one of the most impactful, has been global trade. How will...

Maneuvering Beyond the Post-Election NAFTA Strategy

February 03, 2017.
Trade Publications

Cited as the “worst trade deal in history” while on the campaign trail, renegotiating NAFTA by the Trump administration is definite. The administration has made the focus and tone of future negotiations clear on the White House website. Additionally, Commerce Secretary Nominee Wilbur Ross has stated that once...

Trump’s Wall: Border Tax Talk

February 01, 2017.
Tax Publications

After just over a week in office, President Donald Trump has been busy issuing executive orders across a number of platforms. One priority as evidenced during his campaign is on building “the wall” between the US and Mexico to reduce the influx of undocumented immigrants. Mexico...

Safer Roads Ahead: Electronic Logging Devices

January 18, 2017.
Logistics Publications

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is adopting a new Electronic Logging Device rule, or ELD mandate, that will require commercial trucks and buses to maintain electronic logs. The new law will go into effect on December 18th, 2017 and will require drivers to replace their existing paper logs...

Five Reasons Your Shipment is Stuck in Customs

January 16, 2017.
Trade Publications

The dreaded message of “Shipment on Customs Hold” or shipment is “Stuck” in Customs is the response all importers want to avoid. A seamless Customs process improves the supply chain and overall transit time. There are several common reasons a shipment can be placed on hold...

The Application of UAV’s in Logistics

December 21, 2016.
Logistics Publications

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s), also known as drones, are aircraft which can be remotely controlled or flown autonomously via software. Recent advances in drone technology have encouraged us to think about how we can apply this technology to our society. The benefit of near-future drone applications has been...

Jacksonville, Florida – Jaxport New Crane

December 16, 2016.
Logistics Publications

With the expansion of the Panama and Suez canals the size of ships have gotten larger and so has the size of the cranes. Jaxport recognizes the necessity to stay up-to-date and they now boast three new 100-gauge cranes that can lift up to 65 tons and have a range to...

The Virginia Research and Development Exemption

December 16, 2016.
Tax Publications

Many companies take advantage of the Virginia Sales and Use Tax Research and Development Exemption. The exemption is applicable to tangible personal property purchased for use or consumption directly and solely in research and development. Some examples of exempt products are chemicals, equipment, machinery, supplies, fuel and...

Purchasing of the Long Beach Terminal of Hanjin

December 15, 2016.
Logistics Publications

South Korea’s SM Group, is currently researching the purchase of a 54% stake in the Long Beach Terminal of Hanjin, through its subsidiary Korean shipping (KLC) alongside Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM). Both KLC and HMM will purchase half of the stake, but as they are suffering financial pressure, neither...

2017 Pennsylvania Tax Amnesty Program

December 15, 2016.
Tax Publications

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has announced a Tax Amnesty Program that will be offered from April 21 to June 19, 2017. This program assures participants that half of any applicable interest and all penalties will be waived. This program offers the opportunity for taxpayers to resolve tax related liability or...