Insights

New York Readopts Emergency Rule to Enact Excelsior Jobs Program

December 26, 2013.
Tax Publications

The Department of Economic Development has readopted emergency rule 5 NYCRR Parts 190 through 196, effective November 13, 2013, to implement the Excelsior Jobs Program. This program adds definitions, procedures to claim the credit, and incorporates other changes and amendments to strengthen the program. Excelsior Jobs Program In a Nutshell The Excelsior Jobs Program...

WTO Successfully Completes Agreement in Bali

December 22, 2013.
Trade Publications

After meeting from December 3-6, 2013, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has agreed on a major deal for the first time. The historical deal, which was struck in Bali, Indonesia on December 7, is designed to increase trade among countries by reducing legal challenges and costs. It is known as the Bali...

Are CFO’s Overlooking Free Money?

December 13, 2013.
Tax Publications

Knowledge of Tax Credits & Incentives Lacking among CFO’s A recent survey conducted by Ernst & Young found that there is a large gap between what a business’ tax executives know about incentives and what its CFO knows. CFO Magazine indicates that 36 percent of the respondents...

If it fits, it ships…. Not really!

December 12, 2013.
Logistics Publications

I always believed the slogan, “if it fits, it ships.” However, that is not always true. Although it may fit into the box, it doesn’t mean that the box is strong enough for shipping. Boxes have packaging specifications. According to the Argrov Box website, “the...

Establishing a Compliance Plan for 2014

December 11, 2013.
Trade Publications

As we quickly approach 2014, the timing is right to improve your company’s overall import compliance. 2014 can be the year to put in motion new ideas, or to finally address old ideas that have been placed on the back burner. Below you will find a blueprint for establishing...

Sales Tax Voluntary Disclosure Agreements

December 10, 2013.
Tax Publications

Oops! You’ve just started at a business and determined that they have had nexus in a jurisdiction for years but never registered or collected sales tax there. What do you do? Fortunately, most states allow for a voluntary disclosure agreement (VDA) to entice companies to...

COGSA and the Himalaya Clause… Reconsidering Ocean Door-to-Door Shipments

December 06, 2013.
Logistics Publications

When organizing ocean transports, some people may prefer to tender a shipment as ‘door-to-door’ (from the door where cargo is shipping to the door of the final consignee) to a steamship line (SSL) or a forwarder because this would make things easier. After all, dealing with one...

Why Choose a 4PL?

November 05, 2013.
Logistics Publications

As organizations continue transcending international frontiers, the need for building synergies and maximizing results in Supply Chain Management continues to make the case for 4th Party Logistics Providers (4PLs). Officially invented by Anderson Consulting (now Accenture) in 1996, a 4PL is defined as a supply chain integrator that assembles and manages...

New mega container Triple E ships and what that could mean for you!

October 30, 2013.
Logistics Publications

Maersk has begun receiving the first of 20 ordered new Mega ships (Triple E) capable of carrying 19,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit). Maersk has just completed the maiden voyage of one of these vessels on July 28th, calling the port of Tanjung Pelepas. There has been a lot of debate about...

The Importance of Internal Controls

September 21, 2013.
Trade Publications

Nobody looks forward to being audited, especially by the U.S. Government, and this certainly holds true in regards to a customs audit. One way a company can mitigate the chances of an unsuccessful audit is to fully understand the audit process. Understanding the government requirements and...

Responsibilities in an Export Transaction

September 16, 2013.
Trade Publications

Regulation: 15 CFR 30: Foreign Trade Regulations http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2012-title15-vol1/CFR-2012-title15-vol1-part30/contentdetail.html When an export is being arranged from the United States it is important that all applicable export regulations are followed. Certain exports require that an Automated Exports System ...

A Global HTS Solution

September 13, 2013.
Trade Publications

The World Customs Organization is represented by 179 customs administrations across the world and these locations represent 98% of the world’s trade. When goods are shipped internationally they must be classified for customs purposes using a Harmonized Tariff Schedule Number (HTS). Each separate product is assigned a particular...