Insights

Georgia Broadens Manufacturing Exemption

July 15, 2014.
Tax Publications

On July 1, 2014, Georgia will put into effect a broader scope of items included in the manufacturing exemption for sales and use tax. House Bill 900 was signed into effect by Governor Deal on April 24, 2014, a copy of which can be found here. What It Entails Consumable supplies are defined in...

New York State Franchise Tax Sweeping Changes in 2015

July 08, 2014.
Tax Publications

On March 31, 2014, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the most extensive New York state corporation franchise tax reforms in almost four generations. The overall result was to eliminate some of the older elements of the franchise tax and implement rules that are more in line with other major states. Some...

Potential U.S. West Coast Port Strikes - Update

June 25, 2014.
Logistics Publications

Last month, Allyn published an article about the threat of a possible strike in West Coast ports in lieu of the July 1st expiration date for the contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association. Hopes are high that the strike will be avoided,...

The Revival of the Breakbulk and Heavy-Lift Market

June 15, 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 has...

Changes to Export Regulations Involving Satellites

June 03, 2014.
Trade Publications

On May 13, 2014, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published regulations expected to significantly change export controls on civil and commercial satellites and their related articles. These new regulatory changes will impact the civil and commercial satellite industry as the export of certain items...

Why is My Shipment Stuck in Customs?

June 02, 2014.
Trade Publications

Your import supply chain has many moving parts, and in order for it to be as efficient as possible all those parts should move like clockwork. If your current supply chain is wrought with storage charges, delayed shipments, and a lack of direction or organization, you can take steps to...

Changes to Export Regulations Involving Satellites

May 12, 2014.
Trade Publications

Change In AES Exemptions for TIB & Carnet

May 08, 2014.
Trade Publications

As of April 5th, 2014, a final rule under the U.S. Foreign Trade Regulations will be enforced requiring some items which were previously exempt under 15 CFR 30.37 to be tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau using the Automated Export System (AES). The final rule removes the exemptions for temporary shipments....

Logistics in Russia – Points to Consider

May 05, 2014.
Logistics Publications

Russia is a growing market for long-term business investments and its importance as a strategic market for consumer goods will grow due to its energy exporting ability. Logistics is a challenge alone and below are some areas to review and consider when looking at the opportunities in Russia. 1. ...

NAFTA’s Emerald Anniversary

May 02, 2014.
Logistics Publications

Twenty years ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was finalized and signed into law. The agreement between the nations of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, was hotly debated for years prior to signature. Some, like former president Bill Clinton, heralded the agreement as a major step...

How unmanned remote-controlled aircrafts will shape freight services

April 30, 2014.
Logistics Publications

The first practical use of drones was introduced by the military, but the history of the idea dates as far back as 1915, which Nikola Tesla described a fleet of unmanned aerial combat vehicles. Having 100 years to develop from fantastic idea to a virtual reality, we now find ourselves at the...

Alabama Establishes Independent Tax Tribunal

April 16, 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...