SEC Tosses Up a Change in Conflict Minerals Rule Compliance
August 28, 2017.
Trade Publications
On April 3, 2017, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced it would not recommend enforcement action for companies that disclose, but do not further investigate the usage of conflict minerals which may be from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the National Association of Corporate Directors, &ldquo...
Read MoreCargo Theft - Tips to Reduce Your Risk
August 22, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
Believe it or not, cargo theft is a multi-billion dollar problem every year for shippers and carriers. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that number also continues to grow. Thieves are drawn to the fact that trucks and warehouses can contain very expensive goods, producing high returns for fairly...
Read MoreWhy Business Leaders Should Look to Export Their Products and Services
August 03, 2017.
Trade Publications
The United States’ goods and services market is performing on such a large scale that is important for businesses to analyze the benefits of exporting particularly since “70% of the world’s purchasing power is situated outside of the U.S.A” ( Apple Rubber). Below are the...
Read MoreTrade Facilitation Changes in Russia
June 12, 2017.
Trade Publications
In 2005, ninety-five member countries of the World Customs Organization approved in writing the SAFE security frame standards that aim to promote international trade, economic activity and minimize the effect of modern technological challenges to supply chain, including risks imposed by terrorism. Specifically, the SAFE Framework establishes standards that provide...
Read MoreStrike to Ensue Next Week for Spanish Dockworkers
June 02, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
The dockworkers’ union announced they will officially go on strike for three days next week, starting June 5, 2017. These strikes are set for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and could lead to future walkouts. The strike is in objection to the government’s strategy to loosen the limitations of...
Read MoreIt’s Buggy Out There
May 31, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
Typically, when one thinks about the responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), eliminating insects doesn’t readily come to mind as one of their duties. However, the agency recently intercepted a shipment containing a species of long-horned beetles and globular springtail insects at the Charleston Seaport....
Read MoreBrazil Port Strike
May 23, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
A Customs strike at all major Brazilian ports began on Monday May, 22 2017. Brazilian customs audit inspectors have decided to strike as a result of a delay in the approval of the Provisional Measure n.765/2016. The greatest impact will be to those shipments that face inspection by moving through the...
Read MoreLaredo World Trade Bridge Closed
May 22, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
Cargo movement at the World Trade Bridge in Laredo is currently temporarily suspended, with all commercial freight being rerouted to the Colombia Bridge. On Sunday May, 21 a severe storm swept through the area leaving a path of power outages, flooding and structural damage. As the World Trade Bridge is...
Read MoreSave More on Re-Import Utilizing 9801.00.10
May 08, 2017.
Trade Publications
Background On April 25, 2017 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a Cargo Systems Message that amended HTSUS Subheading 9801.00.10. In short, the amendment expands the provision to include all products exported from the United States and returned regardless of country of origin. The modification is good news to US manufactures...
Read MoreNew Executive Orders Highlight Trade Enforcement
April 11, 2017.
Trade Publications
As alluded to in the earliest days of the Trump Administration, foreign trade is high on the presidential agenda. On Friday, March 31st, President Trump signed two Executive Orders that set into motion trade data collection initiatives within the next 90 days. The first Order authorizes the creation of a Trade...
Read MoreNew Economic Sanctions Possible for Iran
February 21, 2017.
Trade Publications
Members of the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee have expressed tightening economic sanctions on Iran on the heels of the 2017 Munich Security Conference. The primary reason of concern include Iran’s ballistic missile tests in early February. Iran’s ballistic missile test in contravention to...
Read MoreClaiming US Goods Returned (9801) – Is it worth the risk?
February 17, 2017.
Trade Publications
American manufacturers, importers, and other entities are often encouraged to take advantage of the Customs “US Goods Returned” program, also known as 9801 for the HTS heading that is used to claim the duty relief. What many do not realize is the heavy burden of proof that is...
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