Impact on US Imports and Accessibility Challenges The closure of the Port of Baltimore due to the Key Bridge collapse presents significant challenges for US imports, particularly those destined for the East Coast. As one of the largest ro-ro ports in the United States, Baltimore handles a substantial portion of [...]
Let’s face it: there is no shortage of necessary information that you as a US importer would do well to absorb if you want to be effective and operate without hassle.  A comprehensive internal audit can do wonders to help identify risk areas and lay the groundwork for a [...]
It’s a fair question, right?  Press Secretary and Communications Director Sean Spicer has said that President Trump plans to collect a 20% tax on all Mexican imports as a way of paying for his proposed wall. White House officials later implied that the tax was just one of several [...]
Importing a motor vehicle into the USA can be a very daunting and less-than-straightforward process. There are a host of standards put in place by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Department of Transportation (DOT)/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the US Customs Service, which your vehicle needs [...]
If you want your imports to see success in today’s global import marketplace, it’s important to understand the ins and outs of international trade—like knowing your way around customs clearance: entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for imported merchandise. Not exactly a [...]
Under the Trump administration, it’s hard to deny that the worlds’ landscape is changing as far as border controls and business relationships go. Historically, the border between the US and Canada has been a pretty uneventful one. But that relative lack of drama at the border can’t be taken for [...]
It’s basic knowledge that when you’re entering or returning to the US from a foreign country with goods you purchased or received while away, you need to declare them to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Basic, right?  The reality is that bringing goods into the US for resale can [...]
The Importer Security Filing (ISF filing) applies to all incoming cargo to the United States by Ocean Vessel. ISF filing was first introduced in 2009 and officially went into effect late in 2010. ISF was put in place for targeting and security purposes only and does not necessarily effect trade enforcement [...]
Commercial customs brokers exist to facilitate international trade and to oversee your affairs with an efficient, effective, and hassle-free strategy in place. Licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it’s a customs broker’s job to make sure that importers and exporters meet federal requirements for international shipments. They’re responsible for [...]
Even though there’s no law that says you need to hire a customs broker to get clearance for your goods, there’s a reason so many do. The fact is, navigating import brokerage can be intimidating no matter who you are. Not only is there a lot to learn, but the [...]
