Archive for the ‘Compliance’ Category
Why do I need Cargo Insurance?
Posted on October 5th, 2018Doesn’t the carrier have to pay for the value of the goods if something happens? One would think this is normal, but oftentimes it is difficult to pinpoint where something went wrong. Freight claims are often denied by carrier. If something happens while your cargo is in transit, there is a chance […]
The Purpose of the Bill of Lading
Posted on September 21st, 2018The purpose of Bill of Lading (B/L) is to outline the journey of your cargo from the origin to the destination. This is issued by a carrier to a shipper to detail the method and path of a shipment, and is used as a contract for the movement of the cargo. […]
Importing Food into the U.S. and FDA Clearance
Posted on August 31st, 2018Planning to import food to the United States of America? Here are some basic steps to get started! 1. Register with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) You will need to register with the FDA before importing your food shipment. Importers and food facilities in the relevant exporting countries […]
What are Anti-Dumping (AD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD)?
Posted on August 24th, 2018The topic of the Anti-Dumping (AD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD) is a touchy one for both importers and manufacturers. This is not going to be a political debate on whether these are fair, or a discussion on if the way these duties are calculated is reasonable. The fact is that that […]
Air Cargo on Pallets: Dimensions
Posted on July 27th, 2018Sometimes it is necessary to use air freight to send cargo since it is faster than ocean transportation. Palletized cargo can also be sent by air, but is limited to the airplane’s available space. The acceptable dimensions will vary depending on the type of plane, but there are some general rules. […]
Container Cargo: Wooden Pallets and Packaging
Posted on July 20th, 2018The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates importing wood and wood products because of the risk of insect infestations harmful to the U.S. environment. This also applies to wooden pallets and packaging! Planning to use wooden pallets or wooden packaging? Make sure they have been fumigated and stamped by your […]
Types of Customs Exams
Posted on July 13th, 2018X-Ray – Tailgate – Intensive Got a customs hold on your shipment? Subject to an exam? Let’s see what happens next! This is never fun, but at least we can fill you in on what the various exam types consist of. What is the VACIS Exam? The system was introduced for importing goods […]
Types of Customs Holds
Posted on July 6th, 2018Once upon a time, customs was just looking for smuggling or misvaluations in cargo. Since 9/11 though, it has been a matter of national security, and the process has become increasingly more sophisticated. Customs cargo inspectors are checking random shipments, but also using data to target shipments within specific criteria. Data […]
CVSA International Roadcheck
Posted on June 7th, 2018The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set the “International Roadcheck” since 1988, a 72-hour period where commercial motor vehicle inspectors perform inspections throughout North America at a higher rate than usual. For the CVSA Roadcheck 2018, the focus is on Hours of Service compliance. The rules have not actually changed from the log […]
Free or Freight on Board (FOB) – What Does it Mean?
Posted on April 20th, 2018There is nothing “free” about Free or Freight on Board (FOB), so it would be good to understand what this term really means. Which party is taking responsibility at which part of the move? Not understanding the liability involved if a product gets damaged or lost could result in a claim. Therefore, […]