Industry Insights

Roanoke’s CBP bond underwriters have heightened concerns on certain sugar importations from Mexico. Licensed customs brokers should beware of potential liquidated damage exposures relating to failure to provide export licenses. On September 4, 2014, the Department of Commerce (DOC) published a preliminary countervailing duty determination on case no. C-201-846 in the Federal Register (see admin message 4247301). The commodity is certain “raw and refined sugar from cane or beets” from Mexico. A subsequent notice listed the following HTSUS subheadings: 1701.12.1000, 1701.12.5000, 1701.13.1000, 1701.13.5000, 1701.14.1000, 1701.14.5000, 1701.91.1000, 1701.91.3000, 1701.99.1010, 1701.99.1025, 1701.99.1050, 1701.99.5010, 1701.99.5025, 1701.99.5050, and 1702.90.4000. On December 19, 2014, the U.S. […]

The world’s third-largest port in terms of total cargo volume in Tianjin, China was hit on Aug. 12 by explosions at a hazardous-chemicals warehouse that damaged a large industrial area and sent shock waves across several kilometers. So far reports indicate that 114 people were killed. Initial estimates from Chinese media reports also indicate that total insurance losses could be between $1 billion to $1.5 billion. The site was completely inaccessible two days after the incident, with police cars and fire trucks thronging the area. Tianjin is major base for petrochemicals, refining and other industries. The auto industry is expected […]

New regulations covering the safe shipment of lithium batteries went into effect beginning August 7, 2015, after being pushed back by six months to allow the industry enough time to adjust to the new requirements. Ruling HM-224F, set by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), requires shippers moving lithium batteries by ground to meet specific package marking and hazard communication documentation standards. The new regulations require that packages containing fewer than 24 cells or fewer than 12 batteries to have a hazard mark or special documentation when being shipped by ground in the same […]

Munich Reinsurance Company, one of the world’s leading reinsurers, earlier this month released its review on natural catastrophes for the first half of 2015. (Roanoke Trade is a subsidiary of Munich Re Group.) Although insured losses from natural catastrophes totaled about $12 billion in the first half of 2015, lower than the long-term average of $15 billion, there were significant deaths as a result of the earthquake in Nepal and heat wave in India and Pakistan. In fact, in the first half of the year, a total of over 16,000 people died in severe weather events and earthquakes. According to […]

Sheila Skipper, Roanoke Trade, Regional Vice President, recently announced the addition of La Donna Logan to Roanoke Trade’s Houston Marine Department as Marine Manager. La Donna comes to Roanoke with over 18 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry. Most recently, she worked with Lynden International as their Director of Global Projects. Our clients will soon see how her industry experience and passion for customer service make her a strong addition to the Roanoke team. Please join Roanoke in welcoming La Donna to the team. Joe Chillino has been the Marine Manager in Houston since 2010 and during this […]

Workers’ Compensation insurance for most businesses, including logistics service providers and transportation intermediaries, represents a significant operational expense with companies looking for ways to drive down costs. Some of the measures that help mitigate exposures of on-the-job-accidents and injuries and reduce cost drivers include safety programs and training, return-to-work programs, claims analysis, and a review of claims management and reporting procedures. In addition, a review of your Workers’ Compensation policies and related documents, including your experience modification worksheet, payroll audits, employee classifications, and loss-sensitive rating adjustments, is critical in determining where improvements can be made and where possible problems or […]