In an uncharacteristic act of bipartisanship by Congress, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act sailed through the House and Senate and landed on the President’s desk for his signature. Biden signed it on December 23rd, triggering a 180 day clock until it becomes law and goods will be prohibited entry on June 21, 2022.    […]

RIM has been focused on transparency and communicating the current state of affairs around the world and here in the United States when it comes to supply chain delays and disruptions. Given that there’s no mode of transport that is without challenges, here are the top issues we have identified as the greatest concern across […]

Section 301. Digital Services Tax. The large aircraft dispute. USMCA (nee, NAFTA). Each of these major issues impacting American importers and exporters had at their center the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The USTR is one of the most important positions in government and Presidents look to the agency, along with State and […]

The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) are two legislative vehicles requiring authorization by Congress every few years. They are a way that importers can both seek sourcing opportunities in developing countries and petition for reductions or exclusions from ad valorem duty after a review and approval by the US government. […]

The United States Trade Representative late last month announced that after a Section 301 investigation into ten entities for unfair treatment of American tech companies based on the proposed imposition of a digital services tax, the government is moving forward with notice of comment and virtual hearings on six countries. If they proceed as announced, […]

  Businesses and individuals carry a variety of insurance products that protect them against an unexpected loss. Why? Because either the party at fault or an Act of God cannot provide the necessary financial compensation to make them whole. Cargo owners should similarly carry cargo insurance for their goods in transit. We are having a […]

We agree that we know what the biggest story of the year was, but whether you consider the side effects of the pandemic or not, there were notable changes that happened in supply chains that heading into 2021 will make an impact into the first quarter and beyond. Our goal is to share our thoughts […]

With the inauguration of the new administration a little under two months away, the incoming President’s foreign policy team is starting to take shape. For importers and exporters who are wondering what will be carried over from the current administration, there are plenty of issues to deal with including, but not limited to, trade remedy […]

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) earlier this month announced the opening of two investigations in the country of Vietnam. Interested members of the public can submit comments through November 12th – more on that later.   A great explanation of Section 301 investigations can be found here on Wikipedia. In short, […]

There appears to be no ceiling in sight for ocean freight rates on the eastbound transpacific. Last week, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index notched a spot rate average of nearly triple what it was when rates bottomed out in March from Asia to the West Coast, as China slowly recovered from COVID and Europe and […]