Insights

Duty-Free as Tools of Trade

January 15, 2020.
Trade Publications

What do an MRI machine, a screwdriver, and a laptop have in common? A random assortment of goods for sure, but each of these products, as well as many other items, could be eligible for duty-free importation under the US Customs Provision: Tools of Trade. According to Customs and Border...

How Australia’s Wildfires Are Affecting Business

January 13, 2020.
Logistics Publications

A major part of operating a business is having contingency plans in place so that it can remain operational in the event of emergencies. Some factors that could affect this plan are within the realm of human control, both internal and external, while others are out of our control and...

What to Expect for Trade Compliance in 2020

December 17, 2019.
Trade Publications

The world of international trade continues to be in a state of constant change. Here are a few topics that will help shape the international trade landscape in 2020. 1. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership: The RCEP is a trade agreement launched in 2012 in Cambodia, that involves 16 Asian countries that together make one...

Changes in the ELD Era

December 17, 2019.
Logistics Publications

In December 2017, the U.S. trucking industry was faced with a tough transition. Truck drivers were required to replace their existing paper logs with electronic logs under the new Electronic Logging Device (ELD) rule established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The goal of the ruling was to...

The Ailing Shipping Industry: Container Fire Incident

December 17, 2019.
Logistics Publications

Container ship's fire incidents have been frequently covered in the news over the course of 2019. In order to decrease the number of incidents, the supply chain industry has established the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) in 2011 with approximately 17 shipowners. The most recent major cases fire incidents have occurred on...

WTO Approves Additional Tariffs on EU Aircraft

December 17, 2019.
Trade Publications

A trade battle that has spanned over a decade, the United States has been given the OK from the World Trade Organization to impose tariffs on European made aircraft. The main target is the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the biggest competitor of the United States aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The United States...

Section 301 Tariff Update

December 16, 2019.
Trade Publications

On December 13th President Trump reduced and suspended tariff changes that were due to take place on December 15th. The other 301 tariff lists are to remain at the current rate that they are in and will not be changed. The list 4b which includes all goods that were...

Maersk Line Changes for 2020

December 16, 2019.
Logistics Publications

Maersk Line, one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, has announced they will stop buying vessels (for now) and plan on expanding their scope to inland services (warehouses/customs house clearing services) as part of their long-term growth. They are already three years into this venture and...

The Future is 5G

December 12, 2019.
Logistics Publications

As major telecom equipment manufacturers begin the next phase of 5G cellular network testing, companies need to be aware of the new technology’s effects on logistical and procurement work environments. 5G is a new telecommunication standard that takes advantage of newly allocated wireless frequencies - providing much higher...

Airfreight - A Key Indicator of Economic Activity

December 11, 2019.
Logistics Publications

Economic activity and airfreight development are closely intertwined. Logistics executives closely follow the development of airfreight trends to manage and plan supply chain strategies, as do economists and market analysts - because airfreight trends are a key indicator of economic activity overall. By researching the global airfreight trends, we can...

Simply SIMI – Importing in Argentina

December 10, 2019.
Logistics Publications

For those with experience exporting goods to Argentina, you may know all too well how challenging customs clearance can be with the required prior approval by the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (Argentine Tax and Customs Authority). Fortunately, a new system, SIMI, has been developed to...

Simplifying Incoterms 2020

December 10, 2019.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

International commercial terms (incoterms), are the guidelines for global trade around the world. To provide clarity in the contractual flow, we must understand the incoterms that are being used in the contract between the buyer and the seller for each transaction. Correctly understood incoterms ensure a smoother and effective process....