New 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...
Read MoreManeuvering Beyond the Post-Election NAFTA Strategy
February 03, 2017.
Trade Publications
Cited as the “worst trade deal in history” while on the campaign trail, renegotiating NAFTA by the Trump administration is definite. The administration has made the focus and tone of future negotiations clear on the White House website. Additionally, Commerce Secretary Nominee Wilbur Ross has stated that once...
Read MoreFive Reasons Your Shipment is Stuck in Customs
January 16, 2017.
Trade Publications
The dreaded message of “Shipment on Customs Hold” or shipment is “Stuck” in Customs is the response all importers want to avoid. A seamless Customs process improves the supply chain and overall transit time. There are several common reasons a shipment can be placed on hold...
Read MoreSlowdown for Brazil Customs
December 12, 2016.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications
Brazilian Customs Inspectors have set out to slow down the Brazilian customs processes as a result of their frustration with the government’s changes to an existing law. Changes to bill 5864 would impact Brazilian wages and have caused the Inspectors to start to “red light” most cargo...
Read MoreCarnets: A passport for your merchandise
December 12, 2016.
Trade Publications
Carnets allow for the temporary export of goods into a foreign Customs territory for more than 80 countries globally. In addition to allowing goods to be temporarily imported into foreign countries, the carnet holder can transport goods duty and tax free inside a carnet inclusive territory for up to a year. ...
Read MoreRecordkeeping Compliance Essentials
November 09, 2016.
Trade Publications
In regards to trade compliance, the bottom line objective for importers is to avoid customs audit and customs penalties while growing a business and increasing revenue. While HTS classification, export compliance and valuation may be at the top of the internal audit list, one area that importers may not revisit...
Read MoreCountry of Origin and Originating Goods
November 03, 2016.
Trade Publications
US importers are required to report certain information on commercial documents for all US Customs entries as required per 19 CFR 141.86. These fields will be utilized to compliantly file a Customs entry with US Customs and Border Protection. Most commonly these fields are value, classification, weight, buyer, seller, and country of...
Read More5 Ways to Make Conflict Mineral Reporting Easier
November 02, 2016.
Trade Publications
In 2013, the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act came into effect, with Section 1502 requiring all publicly traded companies to report their conflict mineral status on their annual reports and to disclose their due diligence via a Conflict Mineral Report (https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/dodd-frank/speccorpdisclosure.shtml)....
Read MoreThe Hidden Risks of FTA’s
September 28, 2016.
Trade Publications
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership looming on the horizon and well over 100 FTA’s currently in effect, there has never been a better time to start utilizing the worlds various Free Trade Agreements (FTA). When an FTA matches up with a major shipping lane, a properly implemented program can...
Read MoreExport Red Flag Indicators
September 28, 2016.
Trade Publications
Since September 11, 2001 the US Government has implemented strict controls on exports, and placed the responsibility of monitoring goods leaving the country on individuals, companies, and entities involved in these transactions. Because the US Government does not want new technology, money, weapons, etc. in the arms of potential terrorists or...
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