As you are aware, it can be extremely difficult to classify the chemicals described in Chapters 28 and 29 of the Harmonized Tariff Classification Schedule (HTSUS). Incorrect classifications can have a major impact on your business, so it’s important to know exactly what to look for when classifying these substances.

The focus today for most importing companies is cost reduction. However, addressing imports strategically can enable a company to proactively improve import operations, reduce bottlenecks, grow profits and further add to the bottom line. In a recent article with Supply Chain Digest, “Moving Beyond Costs to a Strategic Import Approach,” Anthony Hardenburgh, vice president of global trade content, discusses the seven pieces necessary to create a strategic importing approach.

Many companies perceive customs duties, tariffs and other aspects of global trade as primarily a compliance issue. However, according to SCM World’s July research study, companies with that viewpoint risk leaving millions of dollars in annual "hidden" duty savings on the table and forgoing the smoother facilitation of market growth plans that a professional global trade management capability can deliver.

Join Amber Road and SCM World for a live webinar on Thursday, October 1, at 2:00 PM EST, to delve into SCM World’s brand new report. Presenters will explore real-life scenarios that accurately depict the challenges companies face when factoring trade into the landed-cost analysis.

How much will it cost me? Many importers view cost as an important metric when it comes to transporting and clearing their goods, but is that the best approach?

American Shipper in conjunction with BPE Global conducted a survey of 172 qualified respondents between June 22 and July 22, 2015 to discover why importers are fixated on the import costs rather than the strategic value of managing import operations. The survey results indicate that cost-related issues are the top import concerns. Although duties, purchased transportation costs, and customs delays all mean cash to an organization, research indicates “the strongest importers see through these costs to focus on being better than their competition, whether that means leveraging mechanisms to lower duties, investing in compliance staff and technology, or structuring their organization so that decision-making includes compliance, logistics, and tax departments.”

Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Supply Chain Security Specialists (SCSS) are focusing on new trends in C-TPAT validation meetings, and incorporating their training from CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) into the validation meeting. Are you prepared?  

Trade regulations and restricted party lists are constantly changing, and many global companies now realize that automated, reliable restricted party screening is an essential part of any comprehensive compliance program. With this insight in mind, global coffee and tea company JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS has signed a worldwide contract for an automated restricted party screening (RPS) solution.

JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS is in the process of developing a global corporate compliance strategy and has targeted restricted party screening as the first step towards comprehensive protection.

As one of the world’s largest pure-play coffee and tea companies, Netherlands-headquartered JACOBS DOUWE EGBERTS is the center of an extensive global supply chain. It holds market-leading positions in 18 countries globally as well as a strong emerging market presence. This adds up to hundreds of thousands trading partner entities, all of which will be screened by the Amber Road Restricted Party Screening solution.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a pilot program to test an electronic filing system that will require importers to submit data electronically for imported consumer products. The test program is due to begin in July 2016 and will run for approximately six months. The goal of the new interface is to improve the system US Customs and Border Protection uses to collect and analyze product testing compliance data. 

It takes years to develop global trade expertise, and talent is in very short supply. In fact, according to a mid-market export survey performed by Amber Road, 43% of supply chain executives - almost double the figure from 2011 - noted that talent acquisition and development has become much harder. So how are you developing in-house talent?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seizes imported cargo every day, which can result in hefty fines and penalties for both importers and Customs brokers. If you received a letter from the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Office (FP&F) for a seizure, penalty, fine, or claim, would you know what to do?

Supply chain security can take a number of forms, and the challenge can seem daunting: cyber-crime, terrorism and even regulatory compliance audits are constant, complicated threats. Software can help secure your supply chain and assist with government compliance and internal risk assessment.

Recently, governments have instituted security-related shipment regulations to keep on top of supply chain crime, which helps to protect the supply chain, but also requires an extensive compliance program on the part of the shipper. Global trade management software can assist with programs like the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (commonly known as “10+2”) in the U.S., and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Additionally, the World Customs Organization has adopted a new framework for security filing programs, meaning that many other countries will adopt similar regimes.