Industry Insights

By: Matthew L. Zehner – Vice President, Surety Information & Analysis If you are wondering why portions of what we do for a living are being discussed on TV news and on the front page of newspapers, continue reading for a high-level explanation of what is going on. In addition to the HTSUS tariff rates on imported goods and other statutory taxes and fees, there are a variety of laws available to combat unfair trade practices. The U.S. government is blowing the dust off a few of these seldom-used laws and putting them to use. Unfair Trade Practices: Common and […]

The FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food is now fully final, with all impacted parties having to comply by April 6. The FSMA is meant to advance the FDA’s efforts to protect foods from farm to table by keeping them safe from contamination during transportation. The rule establishes requirements for shippers, loaders, carriers by motor or rail vehicle, and receivers and brokers involved in transporting human and animal food to use sanitary practices to ensure the safety of that food. Many carriers that fall under this ruling have already been following […]

Recent estimates from Armstrong & Associates, Inc. (A&A), an internationally recognized key information resource for third-party logistics (3PL) market research and consulting, indicate that the total U.S. warehousing market for 2017 was $148.7 billion. Commercial warehousing accounted for $68.6 billion. The Third-Party Logistics Value-Added Warehousing and Distribution (VAWD) market segment was $39.1 billion in 2016, and is estimated at $40.5 billion for 2017, according to A&A. This information is based on data collected by A&A from more than 500 contract-warehousing operations, of which almost 400 were contract customers, and 100 public warehousing operations. You can find all the results in […]

On March 22nd, the FTA and Roanoke’s Amanda Barlow will present a timely seminar about ATA Carnets. An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that provides duty-free customs clearance for temporary exports into over 100 countries. ATA Carnets simplify these temporary exports by eliminating the need to post a temporary import bond or pay the import duties and taxes to enter a foreign country. Virtually all goods, whether hand carried or cargo-shipped, may be covered by ATA Carnets. Don’t miss this event! Registration commences and a continental breakfast will be served starting at 8:30am at the Courtyard Marriott in Downtown Long Beach.  

Great news for the US export community: India has made a policy shift around the use of ATA Carnets! On January 18th, India began accepting ATA Carnets for the temporary import of professional equipment. Since 1990, India has only accepted ATA Carnets for goods being temporarily imported for approved trade shows, as well as fairs and exhibitions. India has expanded the scope of the ATA Carnet acceptance to include temporary importation of professional equipment, making it easier for businesses to access the Indian market. “This is an important development that will help boost U.S. exports to India, and make it much […]