Navigating the waters of international shipping is tricky enough without surprises in your bill. 

You're a trade compliance team of a few, or maybe just one, and you've been tasked with reducing and consolidating the number of Customs brokers and freight forwarders used throughout the company. After all, consistency and compliance are imperative. Once the list of providers is pared down, you will be dispersing the preferred list company-wide.

The first time you heard the word detention, was your first thought staying after school in the principal's office for skipping class? Mine too, but we're going to talk about a different type of detention and a few other things relating to the movement of your cargo.

This fictitious US manufacturer, Let's Pretend Business, expanded their business. To do so, they began to import new goods into the United States.

You don't have to run for cover, we've got your back. Let us help you understand what an HTS is and what it means for your imports.  What is the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USHTS, or HTS, and sometimes referred to as HS or Harmonized System)?

All goods imported require classifying. By classification, we mean that every product is assigned a number - that number has different sections separated by a period. Each section means something different.

Transportation costs are a big expense for companies, and this trend is only growing. Last year, a record $1.5 trillion was spent on the movement of goods. Companies are looking for creative strategies to get the best Return on Investment (ROI) on their shipments.

Importing restricted products into the U.S. is achievable. With certain documentation, companies can ensure their goods clear U.S. Customs at the port of entry.

Some items are not permitted into the United States under any circumstances. These goods are often referred to as "prohibited items." Importing such products is illegal, resulting in sharp penalties and other costly consequences.

Finding your way around US Customs compliance isn't easy. There are many regulations and laws to abide. Sometimes you detect errors on your entries, and they must be corrected right away. Submitting a prior disclosure is not only the best way, but maybe the only way to communicate to CBP as you detect errors.

First of all, you don't want to be the one caught importing counterfeit or pirated goods. Period. It's a huge industry, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other developed countries enforcement professionals are cracking down. Heavy fines and even criminal charges can be filed against importers who engage in intellectual property right infringement.

Does it work? Can I do it legally? With the right precautions, yes, so let's get down to business.

You've decided to start importing. Congratulations! You have made a decision to get involved with international trade and eCommerce. What a fantastic time to do so considering the exponential growth eCommerce is experiencing.

Drawback, a.k.a, duty drawback was initially established in 1789 as an export incentive program to promote U.S. innovation and manufacturing around the world. 229 years later, after several revisions, it's still in effect!