Insights

Best in Class Concepts for 2015

December 04, 2014.
Trade Publications

With the New Year quickly approaching, the timing is right to create a compliance plan for 2015. The coming year is the ideal time to move forward with new trade compliance ideas. Below are five concepts that will help you ensure a best in class compliance program. These five areas...

WTO Successfully Completes Agreement

December 04, 2014.
Trade Publications

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has finally agreed on a major deal that has been in the works for over a year. The Trade Facilitation Agreement (FTA) is designed to increase trade between countries by reducing legal challenges and costs. The agreement, anticipated to add $1 trillion to the world economy,...

Make NAFTA Work For You In 2015

December 03, 2014.
Trade Publications

The terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) can be an important tool in your savings initiative toolbox. Learn how to make NAFTA work for you in the New Year by utilizing the below tips from our NAFTA experts. Understand the Agreement Savvy businesses have effectively used NAFTA...

US West Coast Port Contract Talks & Congestions - Update

November 20, 2014.
Logistics Publications

The contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) expired on July 1 without a new contract or contract extension in place. Both parties have continuously worked through the extended contract negotiations and on August 26th the parties reached a tentative agreement on...

New York State Franchise Tax Rate Changes for 2014 and Beyond

November 18, 2014.
Tax Publications

Part of the sweeping corporate franchise tax changes New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed recently impacted the tax rates. This article will illustrate the rate changes that were impacted. Type of New York Businesses New York Article 9-A designates three classes of corporations for tax rate purposes: Qualified...

The End of the Road for Traditional Trucking? Driverless Trucks May Be a Reality in 10 Years

November 03, 2014.
Logistics Publications

In 2025, you might look into your car rear-view mirror and see a driverless truck behind you, predicts German automobile manufacturer, Daimler. Along with this prediction come benefitsfor the European - and possibly global - cargo industry. During the recent Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (IAA), or the German Automobile Show for Commercial...

CBP Announces Changes to Focused Assessment Process

October 07, 2014.
Trade Publications

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advised that as of October 1st, changes have been adopted that address the way that focused assessments are conducted. The changes to this program will bring the focused assessment process in line with current Government Auditing Standards and will place emphasis on...

Trade Compliance in Challenging Regions

September 30, 2014.
Trade Publications

The goal of any trade compliance organization is to set forth processes with qualified people and partners so that all imports will be declared correctly in their respective country. While this can be managed quite easily in North America and Europe, it continues to be a challenge in more difficult...

New USITC Ruling Impacts Import of Oil Country Tubular Products

September 29, 2014.
Trade Publications

Amid recent global regulatory measures impacting steel imports and exportations, it has never been more essential for importers and suppliers of steel products to strengthen their supply chain and trade compliance programs. Certain regulations that affect the steel trade have been instituted this year; among them are the United States...

Aluminum Extrusion Smugglers Caught

September 29, 2014.
Trade Publications

Five defendants—who pled guilty to charges of smuggling aluminum extrusions into the United States in August 2014—are scheduled for sentencing later this year. Aluminum extrusions have antidumping and countervailing duties assessed for relevant imports. These five individuals were indicted based on their alleged conspiracy to knowingly...

The Revival of the Breakbulk and Heavy-Lift Market

September 18, 2014.
Logistics Publications

The year 2013 was a disappointing year for the breakbulk and heavy-lift cargo industry. In fact, 2013 was even worse for ship owners than recession-stricken 2009. Demand for general cargo dropped 30 percent from 2012 to 2013 and 15 percent for project cargo alone (Marex, 2014). However, with the recent boom in the oil and gas sector, 2014...

Alabama Establishes Independent Tax Tribunal

September 09, 2014.
Tax Publications

Alabama has just recently established an independent tax tribunal effective October 1, 2014, replacing its Administrative Law Division which was tied to the Department of Revenue. See 2014 Alabama House Bill No. 105. This is significant, as Alabama has attempted to establish this tribunal multiple times in order to improve its tax administration and...