The Recession May Be A Thing in the Past

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 30, 2009

According to the Journal of Commerce, the economy has seen a 3.5 percent increase in the third quarter, making experts believe the recession may soon be over. Economists feel the government stimulus plan helped consumers spend, particularly in the auto industry.

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Topics: GTM Best Practices, Global Trade Management

Trade Watch

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 30, 2009

The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has targeted senior leadership of the Kongra-Gel, designating them as significant foreign narcotics traffickers. Pursuant to the Kingpin Act, this designation freezes any assets the three designees may have under US jurisdiction and prohibits US persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals.

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Topics: Global Trade Content, Trade Regulatory Content

"European and North American Politicians Are Plotting the Biggest Trade Deal of the 21st Century"

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 29, 2009

According to CNN, EU and Canadian officials sat down in Prague to begin discussions on a new Free Trade Agreement. Let's just say, discussions went well because if the other NAFTA countries sign in, this could be the 'biggest trade deal of the 21st century.' NAFTA-EU trade would contain nearly 1 billion people and account for $35.2 trillion in annual GDP, more than half the world's trade.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Landed Cost Update (Asia-Pacific)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 28, 2009

INDIA: South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) preferential duty rates have been updated, affecting various products across the tariff.

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Topics: Landed Cost Calculation, Import Management

U.S Officials Meet In China to Talk Trade

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 28, 2009

Today, top trade officials from the United States and China will meet in Hangzhou to discuss trade relations between the two countries, according to Business Week. Recent tension has added some much needed topics to the table to discuss, particularly protectionism.

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Topics: China Trade Management, Duty Management

India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 28, 2009

India has signed a major new free trade agreement with the ASEAN trading bloc. Considering the significant amount of trade between the two areas, this free trade agreement will have a great deal of impact on the regions and the world - although it is merely half as large as the recent EU-South korea trade agreement, which covers $95 billion in trade.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

CBP Adds Electronic Reading Room

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 28, 2009

U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched a new Electronic Reading Room to increase access to information available from the Freedom of Information Act. Their press release is below. Visit the Electronic Reading Room at http://foia.cbp.gov.

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Topics: GTM Best Practices, Global Trade Management

Trade Watch

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 28, 2009

China feels that the US and three other countries/regions have dumped Nylon 6 on their market, and that these imports have caused substantial damage to the domestic sector. As a result, China will impose a 36% tariff, or "security deposit," on Nylon 6 (polycaprolactam) imported from the US. (The EU, Russia, and Taiwan will be subject to a lesser tariff.) This new charge is apparently in response to the US' recent imposition of 35% additional duties on Chinese tires. Nylon 6 is widely used in the manufacture of hosiery, knitted garments, threads, ropes, filaments, nets, and tire cords.

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Topics: China Trade Management, Duty Management

Carrier Service Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 27, 2009

In order to widen their coverage of the Middle East, Maersk Line will add port calls to several of its Asia-Europe services. The following changes will take place in mid-December:

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Topics: Carrier Selection & Booking, Transportation Management

Regulatory Update (Europe)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 27, 2009

The EU has updated Tariff rate quotas pertaining to the import quotas of rice. The following HTS chapter is affected: 10.

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Topics: Global Trade Management, Trade Regulatory Content

South Korea and the European Union Sign Trade Agreement

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 26, 2009

According the Industry Week, a free trade agreement was signed on Oct. 15 in Brussels. This is the first between the world's largest single trading region and an Asian nation. Both parties will phase out tariffs on 96 percent of EU goods and 99 percent of S. Korea goods within three years.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Landed Cost Update (Americas)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 26, 2009

Colombia has made HTS changes in accordance with the 2009 Tariff Schedule. The only product affected by this update is Polyurethane. The following HTS chapter is affected: 54.

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Topics: Landed Cost Calculation, Import Management

Carrier Service Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 26, 2009

Evergreen Line and China Shipping will commence a joint weekly service linking ports in Asia to locations in the American and Canadian Pacific Northwest. The PNW Service will call the following ports: Ningbo, Shanghai, Kaohsiung, Nansha, Hong Kong, Yantian, Pusan, Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, Tokyo, and Osaka.

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Topics: Carrier Selection & Booking, Transportation Management

Prevent Illegal Transactions and Increase Cost Savings with Management Dynamics

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 26, 2009

Companies engaged in global trade face many challenges. They must manage a large amount of information to establish and remain compliant. The challenge is that global trade content is highly complex and ever-changing. Collecting, cleansing and publishing trade content for all of your trade needs is complicated by the number of countries, government agencies and differences in trade agreements.

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Topics: Global Trade Content, Global Knowledge

Trade Compliance Center

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 23, 2009

Today's Featured Trade Agreement Resource is the Trade Compliance Center.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Upcoming Trade Compliance Seminars & Webinars

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 23, 2009

International Standby Letters of Credit and Foreign Exchange Update from the Massachusetts Export Center

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Topics: Webinars, Amber Road News, Export Compliance, Events

Upcoming Webinar: Mitigating Risk through Global Trade Management

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 23, 2009

American Shipper will be presenting a free webinar on Global Trade Management next week, broadcast live on Wednesday, October 28 at 2PM EDT and will subsequently be posted online for on-demand viewing.

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Topics: Global Trade Management Software, Webinars

Denied Party Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 23, 2009

The EU has added 24 denied parties, while 60 have been modified. The US has added 9 denied parties and deleted 29.

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Topics: Restricted Party Screening

Regulatory Update (Americas)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 23, 2009

The United States has made changes to its Anti Dumping and Countervailing duties. Updates made to these import controls affect many products across the tariff.

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Topics: Import Management, Duty Management, Global Trade Content

Some Ocean Container Lines to Receive Government Bailouts

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 22, 2009

Everyone knows that the economic downturn has struck the transportation industry hard, and now some of the world's largest ocean carriers will be getting government bailouts from their home countries. Logistics Today is reporting that Germany's Hapag-Lloyd will receive €1.2 billion ($1.8 billion) in state guarantees, and French CMA CGM is in talks to restructure its debt and could possibly receive funding from the French Strategic Investment Fund.

Bailouts, of course, are always a touchy subject, and this has some groups upset. One of the main opposing arguments, which Logistics Today brings up, is that "subsidies or government support of the carriers will continue the supply imbalance which, says Transport Intelligence, will 'amplify the structural problems of the container sector.'" A valid point. A key reason why logistics providers are suffering is simply because of low demand - consumer purchasing is down, which leads to lower retail inventory turnover, which means retail outlets are ordering less from manufacturers, who in turn need to ship fewer materials. Bailouts to the logistics providers will not do much to address those core problems. However, if a large number of logistics providers are on the verge of going bankrupt, bailouts could help them stay afloat until the economy improves and demand goes back up as people start shipping again, which hopefully won't be very long from now.

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PWC Study Offers Predictions on Supply Chain Evolution Over the Next 20 Years

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 22, 2009

PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Supply Chain Management Institute recently did a study, Transportation & Logistics 2030, which looks at how supply chains will evolve over the next 20-plus years. The first volume of the study, the only one that has been release so far, is an analysis of the ramifications of energy scarcity and its impact on the design of future supply chains.

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Carrier Service Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 22, 2009

Maersk has announced the launch of an improved KNSM rotation. In order to enhance its coverage of Scandinavia, Maersk will add Helsingborg as a port of call to the North European loop. Starting in early November, port rotation will include the following locations: Casablanca, Agadir, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Helsingborg, and Antwerp.

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Topics: Carrier Selection & Booking

China - Leader in Global Trade

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 21, 2009

Anyone surprised by this new report? According to the New York Times, the recession has made companies more conservative on price. So now, these companies are looking to Chinese suppliers, who have reduced prices, making it possible to grab the majority of the market share. Companies around the world are switching to China to cut costs and save money, making it easier for Chinese suppliers to gain leads in old markets and obtain new ones. China has surpassed Germany on exports this year and has become America's number one importer (formerly Canada).

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Topics: China Trade Management, Global Trade Management, Export Compliance

The Many Roles of Transportation Management

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 21, 2009

As we all know, transportation management deals mainly with moving goods from point A to point B in the least expensive and most efficient way possible. However the transportation management function of an organization plays an integral role in other functions, including customer service, cargo security, environmental sustainability, and finance.

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Topics: Transportation Management

Going Green and Cutting Costs

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 21, 2009

To stay with this week's theme of establishing an environmentally-friendly supply chain, here are a few more tips from Logistics Management on going green while at the same time cutting costs: Green logistics: Industry expert cites ways of going green and cutting costs at the same time. In the article, supply chain expert Jack Ampuja discusses strategies such as redesigning packaging and logistics systems, and the effect that oil price fluctuations can have on supply chains:

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Topics: Supply Chain Visibility

Video: Walmart's Supply Chain Emissions

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 21, 2009

Here's a video I found that explains how Walmart plans to track supply chain emissions in order to provide carbon footprint information for all of their products. This follows up on a couple of blog posts I've made recently on this topic. Enjoy!

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Topics: Supply Chain Visibility

10 General Prohibitions for Trade Compliance

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 21, 2009

Found a succinct list of rules of thumb to ensure Trade Compliance at MondialTradeCompliance.com

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Topics: Import Management, Export Management, Import Compliance, Restricted Party Screening

GTM Research Study: Environmental Sustainability Expected to Have a Direct Effect on Customer Relationships Within Three Years

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 21, 2009

A recent survey conducted by GTM Research on 74 supply chain executives had some surprising results. Interestingly, sustainability is not at the top of the list of priorities - it falls in the middle of the pack. Companies are still investing in this area though, and the quest for energy efficiency is more popular than any other sustainable supply chain activity this year. Three fourths of respondants feel that their company's environmental stance will have a direct effect on customer relationships within three years. Approximately one third feel it is a issue with customers today.

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Topics: Supply Chain Visibility

Landed Cost Update (Middle East/Africa)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 20, 2009

Israel has updated its general duty rates. Disclaimers have been added for general duty and purchase tax affecting certain products across the tariff. The following HTS chapter is affected: 87. Content such as this is sourced, analyzed, and updated daily by a team of over 100 trade analysts. Take a look at Management Dynamics' Global Trade Content.

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Topics: Global Trade Content

Looking to Go Green? Start With China: A Follow-up Post

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 20, 2009

In last week's post about greening the supply chain, I referenced an article that suggested starting with overseas suppliers (specifically those in China) to increase the supply chain's energy efficiency. The article also discusses how Walmart has established a supplier energy efficient program in China, where the company has set a target of improving the energy efficiency of 200 factories by 20 percent over the next three years.

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Manufacturing Industry Expected to Pick Up in 2010, But Not Without Challenges

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 20, 2009

A 3% increase in manufacturing production is expected in 2010, according to Stan Gwizdak from the consulting firm, Celerant. According to an article in Supply & Demand Chain Executive, Mr. Gwizdak gives a few main factors that will contribute to this upturn:

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Topics: Manufacturing, Supply Chain Visibility

Economic Recovery May Bring Significant Boost to Air Freight Industry

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 20, 2009

When the economy rebounds, we may be seeing a significant rise in air freight shipments. Deutsche Post DHL and the London School of Economics recently published a study that predicted air express industry to get a boost from rising demand for individualized health care, demand for documents transfer in international services industry and spare parts for equipments, claiming a larger share of international trade than it has seen in previous years.

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Topics: Global Trade Content

US Exports Gain as Dollar Decreases

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 19, 2009

Although the relative value of the US dollar is decreasing, there are some upsides- US products are more competitive when exported.

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Chinese Exporters Upbeat as Dollar Weakens

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 19, 2009

Chinese Exporters have a positive outlook on their future, as the dollar weakens and their sales begin to rebound.

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Topics: China Trade Management, Export Management, Import Compliance

Travel Budget Been Cut? Registration Open for Virtual Supply Chain Conference

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 19, 2009

Registration is now open (and free!) for The Next Generation Supply Chain virtual conference, hosted by Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management Review. This conference will offer plenty of informative webinars and networking opportunities, right at your desk! Below description is from Logistics Management:

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Shippers and 3PLs Report Lack KPIs

Posted by Nathan Pieri on October 17, 2009

According to the 14th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, which was conducted by Capgemini Consulting, both shippers and 3PLs are reporting that their current IT provider is not giving them the tools they need to measure performance:

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Topics: Export Management, Performance Management Reporting

Trade Watch

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 16, 2009

State Department Discusses U.S. Burma Policy, Sanctions

The State Department's Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs discussed the Administration's review of Burma policy. The U.S. will maintain existing sanctions until concrete progress towards reform is made. The Assistant Secretary further explained that lifting sanctions now would send the wrong signal. The U.S. will discuss easing sanctions only if Burma takes action on core U.S. concerns, and will reserve the option to apply additional targeted sanctions, if warranted by events inside Burma.

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Topics: Global Trade Content

You Might Need Night Vision Goggles to See This Supply Chain!

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 16, 2009

Britannia may rule the waves, but it’s fallen behind on its supply chain. An article, MoD given two years to improve army logistics systems, found on computing.co.uk, discusses the drab condition of the United Kingdom’s army supply chain. In the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Defense has given the army two years to improve its logistics system. Many MPs are furious over the delay in getting troops supplies in Afghanistan, and even through a great deal of urging, the army is still using manual supply chain systems. The department is lacking complete supply chain visibility as well as an inventory management system. The army has elected a committee to deal with this problem, yet the outlook looks grim. Committee chairman, Edward Leigh, said “The process of getting equipment and supplies out to our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan is undeniably an extremely demanding one. But the fact that the MoD continues to fail to meet its own supply chain targets is of concern.”

Perhaps they should take a look at Management Dynamics’ solution for Supply Chain Visibility.

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Looking to Go Green? Start With China

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 16, 2009

In a Reuters article posted yesterday, Laura Ediger and Ryan Schuchard discuss companies reducing their carbon footprint by focusing on their foreign operations and supply chain. The article, A Green Supply Chain Starts in China, starts out by stating that the easiest ways to ‘green’ up a company is usually to look at your home operations, however the biggest impact could be made by looking a little farther away, say to China. China, as a very large country with a high population as well as being a world leader in manufacturing, is highly polluted. Companies, therefore, will be able to make a bigger impact more easily in China than if they focus their efforts at home. Some of the tips they provide for companies interested in a more efficient and energy conscious supply chain in China are: Be flexible with your goals, focus on people and systems not new technology, get management on board, explore cost-sharing options, and focus on multiple benefits. Reducing our carbon footprint is something everyone should work on, so why not start at the beginning? Go green all the way around the globe!

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EU, Canada Begin Trade Agreement Talks

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 15, 2009

On a roll after getting closer to a trade agreement with South Korea, the EU is now beginning trade agreement talks with Canada.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Possible US, Japan Free Trade Agreement

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 15, 2009

The US may be close to pursuing a free trade agreement with Japan, according to the US Ambassador to Japan. Currently they are talking about a schedule to meet to discuss the potential agreement. Read more below from Bloomberg:

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Topics: Free Trade Agreements

S. Korea Signs Trade Pact with EU, Urges US to Approve Pending Agreement

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 15, 2009

South Korea is a step closer to a free trade agreement with the EU as the European Trade Commissioner, Catherine Ashton, and her Korean counterpart, South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong Hoon signed a trade pact in Brussels. The trade agreement must now be approved by the 27 member countries of the EU, the European Parliament, and South Korea's Cabinet, parliament and president

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Topics: Free Trade Agreements

Things May Finally Be Starting to Turn Around for the Transportation Industry

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 15, 2009

Today, the Journal of Commerce reported that last week, Hyundai took an order for the first container ship in over a year, anywhere in the world! Middle East oil tanker operator, Abu Dhabi National Tanker Company placed an order for two gearless box ships of 1,060 20-foot equivalent units capacity, the first order since October 2008. The number of vessels ordered has been decreasing steadily over the past few years - 208 vessels ordered in 2008 and 545 in 2007, compared to a whopping 1 (so far) in 2009. Hopefully this is a sign that things are starting to pick up.

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Topics: Transportation Management

Trade Watch

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 15, 2009

Canada Waives Portion of Export Certificate Fee

Canada's Governor General in Council has ruled that the collection of certain fees relating to export certificates is unreasonable and unjust. Following the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Treasury Board, she has granted remission of the portion of the fee that exceeds $75.00 for the issuance of an export certificate for live animals or embryos during the period beginning on October 1, 2009 and ending on September 30, 2011. (Assuming that an accredited veterinarian provided the inspection services on which the export certificate is based.) Click here for further information.

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Topics: Global Trade Content, Export Compliance

Shippers and 3PLs Reporting a Lack in Performance Management

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 15, 2009

According to the 14th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, which was conducted by Capgemini Consulting, both shippers and 3PLs are reporting that their current IT provider is not giving them the tools they need to measure performance:

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Topics: Performance Management Reporting

Japan Customs Audits find Lack of Trade Compliance

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 14, 2009

Let's take another look at Trade Compliance in Japan!

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Topics: Import Compliance

Becton Dickinson's Trade Compliance

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 14, 2009

One of my favorite industry publications, DC Velocity, has published an article all about Trade Compliance at Becton Dickinson. It provides a great case study on how a large, global organization goes through the process of selecting and implementing a global trade management system.

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Topics: Global Trade Management Software, Import Compliance

Trade Barriers Could Hurt Economy's Upturn says WTO

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 14, 2009

The head of the World Trade Organization has spoken out against trade barriers as a negative influence on global economic recovery.

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Topics: Free Trade Agreements

Bill urges US-ASEAN free trade deal

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 14, 2009

Sen. Richard Lugar is introducing a bill to encourage the US to negotiate a free trade agreement with the ASEAN trading block. Read the complete AP article below or at "US lawmaker to introduce bill urging US-ASEAN free trade deal"

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Where is Supply Chain Strategy Heading? CSCMP Hosts a Panel Discussion

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 14, 2009

At this year's CSCMP Annual Conference, a panel discussion was held with John Coyle of Pennsylvania State University, Bud LaLonde of Ohio State University, and Don Bowersox of Michigan State University, to discuss what will be needed now and in the future for supply chains to evolve and contribute to economic growth and corporate sustainability. Everyone offered some interesting views, and in case you were not in attendance, Logistics Today has posted up some of the key take-aways from the discussion.

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Topics: Supply Chain Visibility

Landed Cost Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 14, 2009

Brazilian duty rates have been updated across the tariff. The following HTS chapters are affected: 29, 38, 53, 71, 85.

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Topics: Duty Management, Global Trade Content

The Good News: Recession's Almost Over! The Bad News: The Recovery Could be Just as Risky.

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 13, 2009

Although analysts are reporting that economic recovery is just around the corner, there are still significant risks associated with this recovery. Companies who have laid off employees and reduced spending in areas such as IT investment will face a tough road ahead. In a recent study done by AMR Research, 44 percent of executives surveyed believe the biggest risk in 2010 will be recovering from the recession.

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Topics: Transportation Management

Trade Watch

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 13, 2009

The National Archives and Records Administration and the U.S. Government Printing Office have started publishing the Federal Register in "XML" format. This marks the first time that the federal government has allowed individuals to take control over how they want to read the Federal Register.

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Topics: Global Trade Content

Canadians Going Hog Wild Over Protectionism

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 12, 2009

Canada asks the World Trade Organization (WTO) to rule against an American food-labeling law that seems to have destroyed much of its hog-farming industry, states the New York Times. The dispute derives from an American rule requiring that food products be labeled by country of origin. The U.S. government denies that labeling its food products is an act of protectionism, although Americans have decreased purchases of pork produced in Canada, traditionally about 7 percent of Canadian pork is consumed in the United States.

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Landed Cost Update (Americas)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 12, 2009

The 2009 Tariff Schedule for Argentina has been updated. New HTS numbers have been added, old HTS numbers have been deleted, and existing HTS descriptions have been modified for certain products. The following HTS chapters are affected: 03, 15, 16, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 44, 76, 84, 85, 87, 93, and 95.

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Topics: Global Trade Content

Defeating the Deficit, One Export at a Time

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 9, 2009

Even as oil prices rise, people are still worried about the state of the economy, but things are beginning to look up. Today the Wall Street Journal posted an article entitled, “U.S. Trade Gap Shrinks as Exports Rise.” This short but positive article by Tom Barkley states that the United States trade deficit shrank for the first time in months this past August.

This narrowing of the trade gap is mostly due to the increase in exports, which are at the peak for the year. Exports rose to $128.22 billion, the highest level since they were $132.92 billion last December. Imports also fell for the first time since May, dropping by about $1,000,000,000. This is a definite Global Trade Success!

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Topics: Export Management, Global Trade Management, Export Compliance

Denied Party Updates (US)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 9, 2009

According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, three denied parties have been deleted. Having trouble keeping track of the ever-changing list of restricted parties? Save your time by automating this part of the compliance process. Check out Management Dynamics' Restricted Party Screening On-Demand Solution.

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Topics: Restricted Party Screening

Low Water Levels Cause Freight Rate Increases in Europe

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 9, 2009

Here's an interesting dilemma that's been causing barge rates to rise in Europe: unusually low water levels in the Rhine River have caused higher rates for shipping products along the river, a main waterway for refineries and chemical plants in Germany and Switzerland. Because of the low levels, vessels have been forced to lighten their loads to avoid running aground. So more vessels are needed, causing higher freight rates. Hopefully our friends in Europe will get some rain soon!

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Topics: Rate Management, Transportation Management

Trade Agreements: Follow the Rules to Get the Savings

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 8, 2009

Tom Travis of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg has a great article in Entrepreneur on the benefits of free trade agreements and the risks of non-compliance with their intricate rules.

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Topics: Import Management, Document Management, Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Contract Assessorial Update

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 8, 2009

TSA members have announced new Bunker levels, effective November 1-30:
$616/20'
$770/40'
$866/40B
$975/45'
$17/metric ton or cubic meter

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Topics: Global Trade Content

Free Seminar Hosted by Management Dynamics Switzerland

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 8, 2009

The complexity of export control regulations for European and Swiss companies are rising fast. Already, we have seen heavy fines, and even personal liability, for corporations who have failed to comply with these regulations.

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3PL Study: Recession Impact, Going 'Green,' and Shortening of the Supply Chain are Top Priorities

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 7, 2009

The results of the 2009 3PL Provider CEO Perspective, a survey of 35 3PL chief executive officers in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions, indicate that the top concerns of 3PLs right now are: the impact of the recession on their business, environmental sustainability issues, and the fact that 3PL customers are taking steps to shorten their supply chains.

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Topics: Export Management

Regulatory Updates (Norway)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 7, 2009

Import controls have been updated for Norway. Tariff rate quota has been amended for beef and certain agricultural products originating from the EU and Swaziland. The following HTS chapters are affected: 02 and 06.

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Topics: Import Management

Supplier Scorecards are Key

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 7, 2009

For companies who source from many different places, it is vital to company operations (especially the supply chain) that suppliers are all performing according to a certain standard. The larger the company is, and the more suppliers there are, the more difficult it can become to ensure top performances by everyone. This is where the use of supplier scorecards can come in very handy. ADT Security Services (a unit of Tyco) seems to have this down to a science. Using a 100-point system, the sourcing team at ADT rates strategic suppliers quarterly on criteria such as quality, delivery and cost, which encourages continuous improvement in supplier performance.

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Topics: Performance Management Reporting

"To Join or Not to Join," That is the Question For Russia

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 6, 2009

Joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) is one of Russia's top priority reports The Telegraph in the U.K.

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Topics: Global Trade Management

Stop By Our Booth at WESCCON 2009

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 6, 2009

Management Dynamics will be exhibiting at WESCCON 2009 this Thursday through Saturday in Rancho Mirage, CA. We look forward to showing you how we can target improvements in both the top line and bottom line of your business:

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Video Interview With Walmart's Logistics VP

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 6, 2009

At the CSCMP Annual Conference this year, the Journal of Commerce was able to pull aside Gary Maxwell, Logistics VP at Walmart, for a quick interview. In this video, Maxwell discusses the supply chain goals, expectations and challenges of Walmart, the world's largest retailer. According to Maxwell one of the key driving forces of their supply chain are the customers. Walmart shoppers expect the stores to have high quality products at low prices, and without a well-managed, cost-efficient supply chain, this would be very difficult. Interesting insight into one of the world's top 25 supply chains for 2009, as determined by AMR Research earlier this year. (See related post on the Supply Chain Top 25.)

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Topics: Supply Chain Visibility

Video: Wal-Mart's Supply Chain Strategy

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 6, 2009

Video: Wal-Mart's Supply Chain Strategy

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Stop By Our Booth at WESCCON 2009

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 6, 2009

Management Dynamics will be exhibiting at WESCCON 2009 this Thursday through Saturday in Rancho Mirage, CA. We look forward to showing you how we can target improvements in both the top line and bottom line of your business:

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Regulatory Updates (Europe)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 6, 2009

The European Union has updated anti-dumping duties for certain iron or steel tube and pipe fittings that originate in China and Thailand, as well as those consigned from Taiwan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. The following HTS chapter is affected: 73.

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Regulatory Updates (Americas)

Posted by Caroline Brown on October 5, 2009

Import regulations for Argentina have been updated. New import certificate requirements have been established for lighters. Tariff rate quotas have been eliminated on oil and paper. The following HTS chapters are affected: 15, 48, and 96.

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Topics: Import Management

Canada Settles Its Anti - "Buy American" Ban

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 5, 2009

Canadian officials have come up with a resolution that threatened to ban American companies to bid on city contracts because of the 'Buy American' push by the United States says Canadian news source, CBC News.

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Topics: Free Trade Agreements

Trade Export on the Rise in Asia?

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 1, 2009

Trade export may be on the rise, according to Forbes. South Korea reported a more slowed decreased than in the last eleven months. China and the United States have seen an increase in demand, which experts believe that global trade may be on the rebound.

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Topics: Export Management, Global Trade Management, Export Compliance

Control Your Transportation Spend, Despite Rate Fluctuations

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 1, 2009

Over the past several months, shippers have watched container freight rates fluctuate constantly in an apparently very unstable market. It has become an issue for shippers, who cannot forecast their transport costs, as well as container shipping companies and freight forwarders.

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Topics: Rate Management, Transportation Management

American Farm Bureau Encourages FTAs

Posted by Annika Helmrich on October 1, 2009

According to the American Farm Bureau’s article “Free Trade Agreements Would Boost AG Economy”, farmers in the United States are urging the Obama administration to present the Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) and the U.S. - Korean Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) to Congress. These agreements will allow farmers to become a competitive exporter of agricultural commodities to Columbia and Korea.

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Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements

Stop By Our Booth at BIS Update 2009!

Posted by Emily Thornton on October 1, 2009

If you are at the BIS Update conference this week in Washington, DC, please be sure to stop by our booth tomorrow in the exhibit hall. We'll be at booth 21. Hope to see you there!

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Topics: Export Management

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