News & Insights

As the trade adjusts to the new features of CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Roanoke Trade continues to work closely with CBP and the trade to offer guidance on processing bonds in an electronic environment (eBond). As of January 3, 2015, all continuous bonds and Importer Security Filing (ISF) single transaction bonds must be filed as eBonds via the surety or surety agent. Non-ISF STBs are still issued as paper bonds to the local port unless your ABI software developer has confirmed the entry data is processed as an ACE cargo release. Refer to Roanoke Trade’s flyer, What’s Required? eBond […]

March 13, 2015

As terminal operators and truckers try to process the weeks or months of backlogged cargo at West Coast ports, thieves are looking to grab low-hanging fruit. From 2013 to 2014, 25% of all recorded cargo theft in the United States occurred within 200 miles of the ports of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, according to FreightWatch International. The surge in cargo activity resulting from the normalization of West Coast port operations is expected to stress trucking assets and port security. Fictitious pickups in the above-mentioned ports have been 100% higher than the national average over the past two years. […]

March 11, 2015

Smaller logistics companies are having trouble keeping up with the boom in online commerce. While Asia looks at logistics as a prime opportunity for growth, developed nations, in particular the U.K., have seen a disruption in the traditional logistics sector that has led to the collapse of a record number of couriers and haulers. Even though online orders grew 14% and fuel prices fell, overcapacity in the U.K.’s courier and hauler industry drove freight transport prices down. As a result of buyer appetite for speed in delivery and demands from manufacturers and distributors for processing of large volumes at high […]

February 27, 2015

  The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) have struck a tentative agreement on a five-year contract that will cover workers at all U.S. West Coast ports. The details of the deal are being held in confidence while the agreement awaits ratification by both organizations, but they acknowledge that a cooperative arrangement was reached with the assistance of U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service deputy director Scot Beckenbaugh. In a joint statement, PMA president James McKenna and ILWU president Bob McEllrath said the 29 West Coast ports “can […]

February 23, 2015

Join us for a complimentary webinar on March 3, 2015 from 1-2pm CT Cyber attacks are on the rise and threaten the business operations of customs brokers, freight forwarders and other logistics service providers. Cargo theft, third party data loss and damage to your reputation are just a few of the ways these crimes can impact your business. Attendance is worth 1 CCS/CES credit. To ensure you receive credit, please add your NEI ID number during registration. This webinar will cover: Cyber risks and how they impact your industry What you need to know about cyber crimes How you can protect your […]

February 20, 2015

Please be advised that we are currently working on two claims involving fraudulent shipments of copper scrap imported from China. The containers in question were loaded with bricks instead of copper scrap. These are not isolated incidents as we have been advised by a Lloyd’s surveyor in China that there is a current scam operation being perpetrated in China. We strongly recommend that if you are asked to provide coverage for a shipment of copper of any kind (scrap, tubing, etc.) from China, please decline to do so. Additionally, we have heard of another fraudulent claim involving a shipment of […]

February 18, 2015