Insights

Resolve to Have Compliant Commercial Invoices in 2016

January 04, 2016.
Trade Publications

One common and preventable cause of shipments “stuck in customs” is incorrect documentation. This year, ring in the New Year by resolving to have compliant commercial invoices. Whether a company creates the document or relies on a supplier to create the commercial invoice, 19 CFR 141.86 is clear on...

Exporting to a Sanctioned Country

November 17, 2015.
Trade Publications

Is your company prepared to pay a hefty fine or have an individual jailed for exporting to a sanctioned country? Without the proper export control this could become your reality before you know it. Fortunately it is a relatively simple process to mitigate this risk as either a company or...

2015 Louisiana Tax Amnesty

November 17, 2015.
Tax Publications

A tax amnesty program is being offered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue during the period of November 16, 2015 through December 15, 2015. The Louisiana Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act of 2013 allows eligible taxpayers to qualify for the amnesty program. The press release issued November 3, 2015 by the Louisiana Department of Revenue indicates...

Sales Tax Changes in 2016

November 17, 2015.
Tax Publications

Chicago will once again have the highest sales tax rate of any major US city starting January 1, 2016. The rate will spike from 9.25% to 10.25%. The rate hike is due to the increase in county sales tax. The Cook County Board narrowly approved the increase to restore financial health...

How to Save Your Company Import Costs in the New Year

November 10, 2015.
Trade Publications

As the New Year draws closer, it is time to look at the savings goals for your company’s yearly imports. There are several different ways to save on import transaction, but identifying the right strategy that benefits your business is the key to successfully meeting your savings goal...

Maeslantkering (Maeslant Barrier)

November 05, 2015.
Logistics Publications

The Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier, which was built in the Rotterdam Port between 1991 and 1997. It is located at Hoek van Holland - on the New Waterway connecting Rotterdam with the North Sea. The construction of Maeslantkering was a part of the Europoort Project, which was the final stage...

Migrant Crisis Influences European Transportation

November 02, 2015.
Logistics Publications

In the last couple of months, Europe has been facing an enormous influx of migrants that has also affected the transportation industry. Problems began to appear at the beginning of the summer as thousands of migrants were trying to cross the English Channel from Calais, France. As a result, the...

Prepping Your Shipment for Ocean Transit

October 23, 2015.
Logistics Publications

Over the years, the movement of freight via all modes of transportation has significantly increased. Between 1993 and 2010, the United States freight transportation system saw a 1.9% annual increase in the movement of freight. With advances in technology, larger and faster vessels have significantly increased the amount of ocean freight. According...

Impact of China’s Slowing Economy on Global Trade and Transportation

October 23, 2015.
Logistics Publications

China’s economy is beginning to slow down. It is at the weakest point since China’s admittance to the World Trade Organization in 2001 and continues to shrink as the country’s gross domestic product annual growth rate dips below double digits for the fourth year...

U.S. Manufacturing Is Making Its Way Back Home

October 23, 2015.
Logistics Publications

Re-shoring Manufacturing According to recent studies and trends, it has become clear that U.S. manufacturing operations are moving back home or nearby. Companies are now recognizing the rising costs of off shore manufacturing. Some of the top factors contributing to this trend are the rising cost of labor, increased...

3D Printing: Safer Shipping, More Efficient, Less Expensive

October 23, 2015.
Logistics Publications

In the coming years, manufacturers and producers can begin to rely less on crating and packaging companies thanks to innovations in technology. Large scale, industrial shippers will be able to take care of all their packing and loading needs in house by means of 3D printing. The ability...

Highway Bill Passed in Senate May Increase Customs Fees

September 24, 2015.
Logistics Publications

The U.S. Senate has approved a highway bill containing a provision that will increase Customs user fees. Customs user fees are designed to help with processing and inspection costs and per 19 USC 58 are paid by: Commercial vessels: $397 per arrival Commercial vehicles: $5 per arrival Railcars: $7.50 per car per arrival Private...