Ascent Global Logistics Blog

Each product that is imported into the United States and cleared through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is required to be classified based on The Harmonized Tariff System of the United States. Those classifications are the responsibility of the importer (19 U.S.C. 1484), since they have firsthand knowledge of what the article is, what it is made of, how it is manufactured and the end use.

With several proposed tariff lists that are slated to go into effect, now is the time to start thinking about gaining visibility and improving efficiency within your supply chain.

Let’s face it: getting money back is not always “common cents.” While Duty Drawback can be accessible, it is still a very long and complex process to receive Duty Drawback from your import activities. However, the right blend of technology and people can help!

While the trade world has been focusing on the S232 and S301 remedy tariffs, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill of 2018 has been quietly implemented. This has allowed for a temporary reduction or suspension of import tariffs paid on particular imported items into the United States. 

As the capacity crunch continues, freight demand levels are at an all-time high. LTL carriers are now charging an Over Dimensional fee when a shipment contains an article that is eight or more feet in length. With some carriers, this charge will also be applied if an article is both six or more feet in length and six or more feet in width.

When is the last time you found a few random quarters lying around your house? Was it last week? Last month? Last year? One can only image how satisfying it was to find extra change lying around. Ultimately, that day was probably a very good day for you…

In 2018, the S232 and S301 tariffs have increased duty payments to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by up to 25 percent. Ultimately, this affects the daily duty payments to CBP and the subsequent billing from Ascent Global Logistics. We predict that duty outlay could be up to six times more per month than in months previous to the S232 and S301 tariffs.

In recent years, the United States government and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have taken a closer look at goods imported into the United States that are potentially made from forced labor or child labor. The goal of this increased scrutiny is to ensure the United States is involved in a fair and competitive trade environment.

On August 25, 2018, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc implemented a change in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) of cleaning compounds under NMFC 48580.  Prior to August 25, NMFC 48580 had three subclasses:  100, 70 and 55.  Now, all cleaning compounds are under a single sub class (sub class 70).

In August 2018, Prime Distribution Services, An Ascent Global Logistics Company, participated in a Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce Fireside Chat to discuss topics related to retail consolidation and e-commerce.