Articles
Import

Panama Canal Expansion to Spur East Coast Shipping Boom
After nearly 10 years and $5.4 billion, worldwide shipping is in for a major shakeup. With the nearly triple-the-size expansion of the Panama Canal completed in late June 2016, a vastly increased quantity of goods will be able to easily traverse one of the world’s most important waterways. This change comes amid a slump in […]
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Cargo Becomes Intelligent So Do Ports
Having all supply chain players connected to an intelligent cargo system maximizes the use of port infrastructure and keeps everyone informed on the “where is my cargo?†question. Accessing and sharing information on cargo through new technologies will not only smooth flows but it will also secure them.
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Getting Ready for ACE
The business of importing and exporting with the United States reaches a milestone at the end of 2016 when the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is to be fully implemented. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is to be commended for fulfilling the ambitious scope of ACE. By eliminating paper filings and giving parties the much-anticipated […]
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How the Panama Canal Expansion Will Shake Up U.S. Shipping
The expansion of the Panama Canal, expected to be completed by the end of June 2016, will rewrite the rules of shipping, with far-ranging impacts for logistics managers, retailers, railroads, and public infrastructure across the United States. More than a decade in the making, the canal expansion not only increases the number of ships that […]
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Shippers Should See Positives from the Trade Promotion Act
When the U.S. Congress passed the Trade Promotion Act (TPA) in June 2015, debate over its benefits and how its passage would affect the U.S. economy lingered. U.S. Congress felt that the goal of TPA and its historical record were solid proof of the benefits this legislation would provide. Although TPA is not a trade […]
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The Beauty of Global Logistics
A total makeover of EM Cosmetics’ global distribution process, and partnership with a consolidator, produces amazing results.
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How to Prepare for the Food Safety Modernization Act
When President Obama signed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in January 2011, it marked the first time in more than 70 years that the U.S. government introduced any significant legislative change to the food industry. The motive was clear: Educate and instruct public and private sectors on how […]
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Are You Ready to ACE It?
On Feb. 19, 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order intended to streamline the export/import process. It establishes December 2016 as the completion date for the International Trade Data System (ITDS), which will allow businesses to transmit, through an electronic "single-window," all the data required to import or export goods. The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) […]
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Incoterms® 2010: Speaking the Same Language
Incoterms 2010 rules are 11 terms of shipment and delivery used in business-to-business purchase contracts and tangible portable goods sales. The rules were developed by the International Chamber of Commerce, a Paris-based organization providing trade-related rules and services through its worldwide network of affiliates. Since their inception in 1936, Incoterms have received worldwide acceptance. They […]
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10 Steps to Import Compliance
Ever-changing import rules enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) require companies to remain current on regulations and process methodologies—or risk delays and noncompliance fines. Organizations that fail to comply with current customs rules—even in ignorance—can be designated as high risk, and subject to more frequent inspections and longer processing times in the future. […]
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