Demurrage is a dirty word among importers, and with good reason .

Known trade compliance risk areas can take many forms and often require multi-disciplined specialists to help keep you in compliance. As you know, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP or Customs) is responsible for enforcing compliance at all ports of entry—and there are areas that are well-known in the trade community for being at risk for noncompliance.

De Minimis, Customs valuation, and duty rate are three known areas that receive added scrutiny from CBP. 

Speed to market is a necessity today, but how do you balance these pressures with shipping costs?

The rules and regulations regarding First Sale can easily seem overwhelming. Be sure to think over the questions presented below, and how they may pertain to your business.

There are many important questions to ask yourself while dealing with First Sale inside a multi-tiered transaction. In an ever-changing world, it is essential to stay informed on how specific rules can affect your business.

As additional duties, up to 25%, are being assessed on goods from China, the question of possibly using First Sale keeps coming up as a way to mitigate duty obligations. The First Sale rule allows importers to use the price paid in an “earlier sale” as the basis for the Customs value.

While it is true, First Sale can be accepted by CBP, an importer choosing to use this valuation method must be sure that they have done their due diligence to ensure compliance. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) actively scrutinizes imports utilizing this valuation methodology, so exercising reasonable care is paramount.

International trade is volatile, and choosing the right global freight forwarder can be a make-or-break decision for an importer. 

You've got a fantastic trade compliance program, and now you want to improve your efforts even more. You can do that! The voluntary Importer Self Assessment (ISA) program can help you to reduce international trade risks further and provide actual benefits .

If you’re planning to import goods by ship to the United States, you’re required to file an Importer Security Filing (ISF). 

You have a trade compliance program and your team works well, but to reach the next level, compliance must become an  integral part of everyday business.

Do you know the difference between Free on Board (FOB) and Free Alongside Ship (FAS)? Or at what point the Delivered at Transfer (DAT) risk shifts from the buyer to the seller?

It’s a difficult time in shipping.

International shipping is a complicated industry, and some freight forwarders will take advantage of that complexity to win your business.

Procuring and managing the shipment of goods from all over the world is not easy.