How to Import to the US

The US import process is not plain sailing, whether you’re an experienced trader or a novice.
US customs authorities, operating via the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are generally more interested in imports than exports.
Not all importers may be aware that US citizens are allowed to become self-filers. Adopting this position entails filing one’s ISFs and Entry Summaries to release goods from customs. But how? eezycustoms enables self-filing through its intuitive eezyflow dashboard automatically and without hiring a customs broker!

December 5, 2022

Global supply chains’ environmental impact – are there rules?

Ever-growing consumer demand means ever-expanding global supply chains. Demand, in turn, means an increased need for raw materials, manufactured goods, and ingredients which translates into enhanced environmental damage – such as climate change. While supply chain processes have been hugely impacted by many factors, not excluding the Covid-19 pandemic, reduced inventory levels, and labor shortages, ignoring its ecological footprint and impact threatens all of us. So, what sustainability programs are industry leaders, governments, and environmental organizations implementing to address the problem for the long term?

October 26, 2022

How Businesses Can Help Achieve Net Zero Supply Chains

Only a forward-looking supply chain strategy with the right technology solutions and governmental and investor support will help organizations build more sustainable, responsible, and ethical supply chains for the long term.
The global supply chain is the industry’s most significant source of carbon emissions.
It is central to the fight against climate change. However, those all along the chain cannot solve the problem, despite rules and regulations in place and new ones coming into play. One reason is the complexity of the supply chain. No one stakeholder can be held accountable.

October 26, 2022

The importance of marine insurance … and yes, there are still pirates!

Seafarers have long navigated the world’s trade routes as a livelihood. The concept of marine insurance dates back to 533 AD and the clever rulers of the Roman and Greek Empires. The refinement of Maritime insurance spanned the course of medieval Europe in the 1600s – a compelling story in itself, until reaching its more modern version in 1906 with the advent of the Marine Insurance Act. But before venturing down the rabbit hole of why insurance is key to import businesses, let’s have some fun with our imaginations.

September 21, 2022

US Container Freight Rates’ Drop Will Impact Supply Chain Balance of Power

Spot vs. contracted rates – What is this tug of war between spot and contract rates? A spot rate is a one-off charge for transporting shipments by air or sea freight.
According to Shipping and Freight Resource, freight spot rates began to dip in March 2022 and by June had dropped to their lowest levels since April 2021. Moreover, the figures are now lower than long-term rates, which Bloomberg says is the first time this has happened since April 2020. So, according to the SHIFEX index (by Shifl), shipping a 40-foot container in September 2022 from China to Long Beach and LA on the West Coast costs around $4,900 – a 72% drop year-on-year from a whopping $17,500.

September 14, 2022

Friendshoring & the global supply chain: What should we know?

Why friendshoring?
Firstly, what is friendshoring? Also called “allyshoring,” friendshoring is where companies move their business operations – be it back-office, manufacturing, or R&D, to “friendly” countries.
But, Is Friendshoring friendly?
An August 2022 report by CSIS researchers focuses on securing semiconductor supply chains and offers a positive agenda for global cooperation. According to the writers William Reinsch, Emily Benson, and Aidan Arasasingham, shifting supply chains from east Asia might increase security in the long term. However, the ill-conceived execution of friendshoring could lead to price hikes and a more assertive China.

August 30, 2022

filing ISF, how to file ISF, shipment clearance, online US customs, ISF 10+2, informal ISF, ISF blog, learn about US import

Blog

How to Import to the US

Global supply chains’ environmental impact – are there rules?

How Businesses Can Help Achieve Net Zero Supply Chains

The importance of marine insurance … and yes, there are still pirates!

US Container Freight Rates’ Drop Will Impact Supply Chain Balance of Power

Friendshoring & the global supply chain: What should we know?

ISF (10+2)

Entry Summary (7501)

Shipping

US Customs Bonds

ISF (10+2)

Entry Summary (7501)

Shipping

US Customs Bonds

Marine Insurance

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