For Importers

Duty Drawback – How to Recover Import Duties and Maximize Trade Profits Billions in Unclaimed Duty Drawback Refunds Billions of dollars are left unclaimed every year. Many businesses pay duties on imports without realizing they could get that money back. This happens because companies either do not know about the refund process or assume it […] Read More »

A tariff is a tax imposed on goods that cross a country’s borders, typically applied to imports, but in some cases, to exports as well. Governments use tariffs to control trade, protect domestic industries, and generate revenue. While tariffs can support local economies, they may also lead to higher costs for consumers, supply chain disruptions, […] Read More »

De minimis value is the limit set by countries for imports to be exempt from duties and taxes. If the value of a shipment is below this threshold, it can enter without additional costs. This helps simplify customs processes and reduce trade barriers. Each country decides its own de minimis threshold. For example, some countries […] Read More »

What Are De Minimis Shipments? De minimis shipments are packages that are free of duties or taxes because their value is below a certain limit. Each country sets its own limit, and if your shipment qualifies, it can get through customs faster and without extra costs. With online shopping booming, de minimis shipments are becoming […] Read More »

What is a “Green Port”? A Green Port focuses on reducing its environmental impact. This means using cleaner energy, reducing waste, and cutting emissions . The goal is to make port operations more sustainable. Ports can take small steps or make large changes depending on their resources. This allows each port to move toward sustainability […] Read More »

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) began in 1952. It was created to simplify trade across the United States. Before this, the different states had different rules for business deals, which caused confusion and slowed down commerce. As a result, the UCC introduced a single set of rules that businesses in all states and territories could follow. Read More »

The International Chamber of Commerce have published new Incoterms® 2020 that have come into effect from the 1st of January 2020. The ICC originally published Incoterms® in 1936 and have continually made updates to reflect the changes to the Global Trade environment. It’s important that all parties involved in trade clearly understand the changes and how they apply to global supply chains. Read More »

The port of discharge is a critical transition point in the shipping process where goods are unloaded from a vessel and begin the next phase of their journey. It bridges sea transport with essential steps like customs clearance, inland delivery, or warehouse transfer. For importers and exporters, this stage plays a pivotal role in determining […] Read More »

The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is a fee charged on cargo shipped through US ports. It helps fund the maintenance and improvement of these ports, ensuring they stay operational for trade. This fee is applied to commercial cargo shipped that go via ocean freight. Introduced in 1986 under the Water Resources Development Act, the HMF […] Read More »

The definition of Bunkering and Bunker Bunkering refers to the process of supplying fuel to ships. It includes delivering the fuel needed for engines and machinery onboard. Sometimes, it also includes providing essentials like food and water for the crew. A “bunker” is the term used for the fuel stored onboard a ship. It is […] Read More »