Web Tool Simplifies Export Screening

Let's face it--no one gets excited about export screening. Until recently, it consisted of going to a government website, downloading some Excel files, and then combing through seemingly endless rows of data to confirm that your potential party wasn't included. U.S. exporters will be happy to learn that the Department of Commerce just made the…

Read More »

Get Your Grant On!

Get Your Grant On!

Grant money is up for grabs for small business exporters in New York. The State Trade & Export Promotion (STEP) Global NY Exports Grant is offering funds on a first come, first serve basis to eligible small businesses for: Participation in foreign trade missions Foreign market sales trips Subscription services provided by the U.S. Department…

Read More »

Ocean Carriers Walking a Tightrope

U.S. shippers will soon bear the brunt of unprecedented port congestion, as ocean carriers and other transportation providers attempt to recoup costs. Inside this client alert Carriers withdraw congestion surcharge a second time Watch for a possible mid-December GRI Shippers should be prepared for demurrage, detention charges Looking back on 2014 we have seen unprecedented…

Read More »

Port Congestion Surcharge Reintroduced

Some ocean carriers have reintroduced port congestion surcharges that were rescinded earlier this week following the FMC's public notice challenging their legality. Carriers claimed that the previously announced surcharges for U.S. West Coast ports were necessary due to labor slowdowns at the ports. Many carriers quickly retracted or postponed their implementation of the surcharges after…

Read More »

Defective NAFTA Certificates Are No Joke

Defective NAFTA Certificates Are No Joke

There are many reasons a NAFTA certificate of origin can be deemed defective or invalid according to U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Is your company guilty of any of these? Preference Criterion (7) is blank or incorrect. This field shouldn't be blank nor should it be completed by someone guessing at the correct answer.…

Read More »

Update: West Coast Port Congestion Surcharge

Update: West Coast Port Congestion Surcharge

As a follow-up to our last client alert, we are pleased to announce that many carriers have since rescinded or postponed their port congestion surcharges after Mohawk and many other industry groups questioned the legality of how they were filed with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). In response to the many inquiries it received, the…

Read More »

CBP Announces US-Mexico Mutual Recognition Agreement

CBP Announces US-Mexico Mutual Recognition Agreement

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced the establishment of a mutual recognition agreement between Mexico and the United States, as of October 17, 2014. A mutual recognition agreement between the U.S. C-TPAT program and another country—in this case Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT)—certifies that the foreign customs program’s requirements and regulations are similar to…

Read More »