Hurricane Irma Update
September 08, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Tax Publications, Trade Publications
Hurricane Irma is currently a category 4 hurricane that is expected to impact Florida over the weekend. This large powerful storm will cause supply chain disruptions over the next few days, and longer depending on the amount of damage sustained by the area. As of now cargo airline operations out of...
Read MoreUnderstanding and Mitigating the High Risk of Intellectual Property Rights
September 06, 2017.
Trade Publications
Intellectual property, a conception of creative ideas, can include designs, phrases, and symbols that characterize specific companies and are protected by laws in the form of intellectual property rights. These rights include copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and patents that not only serve as a huge part of company revenue but...
Read MoreThe Uncertainty of Abbreviated Country Codes
September 04, 2017.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
In International Trade, abbreviated country codes are often used and are sometimes mandatory. They exist in a 2 letter code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2) and a 3 letter code (ISO 3166-1 alpha-3, used by the United Nations). It is important to use the right codes, as errors can have unintended consequences. We have...
Read MoreSEC 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 More