What About West Coast Contingency Plans?

Many of our clients are asking us this question:  What contingency plans make sense to reduce the effects of a looming labor issue on the West Coast?  Considering that roughly 2/3’s of shippers polled by the Journal of Commerce plan to move at least a portion of West Coast cargo to East Coast ports, simply…

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What’s NEXT for the National Export Initiative

The Obama Administration recently revealed it's newest export growth strategy, aptly titled, NEXT. NEXT, a continuation of the National Export Initiative (NEI), is a long-term strategy to beef up U.S. exports by connecting American businesses to the resources needed to enter/expand into new global markets. NEI/NEXT's key objectives are: Connecting more U.S. businesses to their…

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How Do You Prove Transaction Value?

Determining the price actually paid or payable for your Customs entry can be quite tricky. Transaction Value rules, pursuant to 19 USC 1401a(b), place responsibility on the importer to exercise reasonable care and accurately provide Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with the proper declared value. It’s important to assure that all lawfully mandated payments (additions)…

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C-TPAT Employee Screening Requirements

In order to ensure that Partners are compliant with U.S immigration law, C-TPAT requires the use of E-Verify to certify all employees’ eligibility status to work in the United States. Read Customs & Border Protection’s bulletin regarding this requirement here: http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/bullentin_feb14.pdf This system compares completed Form I-9s with data from the U.S. Department of Homeland…

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C-TPAT-To Join or Not to Join

Is your company still on the fence about participating in Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)? Are the benefits of 3.5 to 5 times fewer inspections, access to FAST lanes, securing your supply chain (and hence, your reputation), plus the opportunity to participate in other U.S. Customs & Border Protection programs not enough of an enticement?…

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