Your Broker Knows Blog

Tips and Tricks For Shipping Gifts
Breanna Leininger

Picking out a present can be laborious, accompanied by gift limits and import tax on gifts regulated by federal governments making the entire process more taxing. Preparation is the key to getting the presents you want into the hands of those you love without the additional hassle. If you are shipping a gift or operate a business that ships gifts internationally or domestically, we can assist you in getting your cargo to the intended destinations with various trade, freight and customs brokerage services tailored to your shipping needs.

November 15, 2022
Tips To Mitigate The Fears Behind Tariffs
Breanna Leininger

What is a tariff? In today’s world, a tariff is a tax enforced by the US federal government to protect domestic industries against environmental, safety and competitive threats. Tariff codes apply to goods imported from a foreign market, which is where the Harmonized System (HS) comes into play.

October 26, 2022
CBP Appraisement
Misty Gibbins

Last week we looked at CBSA Valuation in Canada. This week let’s switch gears and head south to look at CBP Valuation. Customs valuation, also known in the US as customs appraisement, is an important topic on both sides of the border. While most companies spend considerable time and resources preparing for tax audits, it’s equally important that the same amount of effort be dedicated to customs appraisement. The laws between countries can be quite different in some ways and yet very similar in others.

August 16, 2022
Am I Importing An eBike Or Is It A Motorcycle?
Misty Gibbins

The sun’s out so we’re out. Whether you are getting a workout in while traveling to the office or just hitting the trails for pleasure, you may have seen one of those snazzy electric bikes. They are all the rage, but have you ever wondered… if I buy an eBike online from another country, how do I import it? In this blog, we will walk you through everything you need to know to bring your new bike into the US.

July 27, 2022
The History Of US Tariffs
Breanna Leininger

As any US importer knows, a tariff is a customs duty, an import tax imposed by the US federal government upon many goods imported into the Customs Territory of the US (the 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico). Historically, governments have used tariffs as a primary means of collecting revenue. Today, other kinds of taxes – like income and sales taxes – account for most government revenue in developed countries, although tariffs can be significant with respect to certain categories of imported items. Tariffs are now primarily employed by governments to protect domestic industries or as leverage in foreign trade negotiations and disputes. In this blog, we will take a look at the history of US Tariffs and how they play a significant role in trade negotiations and the economy.

June 15, 2022
What Is Cargo Preclearance?
Jan Brock

Cargo preclearance is an arrangement between two countries that allows Customs and Immigration officers from the country of destination to be located in the country of origin. These officers then clear or deny the admission of goods prior to entry into the destination country.

June 2, 2022
5 Tips To Manage Your Country Of Origin Certificates (And Why It’s Imperative To Your Bottom Line That You Do!)
Breanna Leininger

If you are a part of a large organization that sources your goods globally, you may run into a common problem: How can our Certificate of Origin (COO) be managed efficiently? Who is responsible for ensuring they are up to date? Where should the information be stored? How often should it be reviewed?

May 5, 2022
Commercial, Proforma And Special US Import Invoices
Aimee Miller

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is serious about commercial import invoices. The commercial import invoice is used when the agency determines if the duties, taxes and fees involved with goods imported into the US were declared correctly by the importer. Because the exporter-created document contains all the pertinent information related to the import shipment, the commercial import invoice is required for clearance by CBP in a form that comports with agency requirements, which can be found in Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (aka CBP regulations).

April 28, 2022
FAQ Section 321 Entry Type 86
Misty Gibbins

Entry Type 86 is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry type for goods valued under $800 USD - previously allowed under what is commonly known as a Section 321. These are filed on the ACE manifest without a formal Customs entry, provided there were no entry restrictions. Entry Type 86 shipments are not required to pay duties and taxes and as a result, an entry bond is not required. This is an appealing option for many businesses. Keep reading to understand how Entry Type 86 will affect Section 321 shipments.

April 13, 2022
What Is A CBP Withhold Release Order And Why Goods May Be Issued One?
Misty Gibbins

In an effort to combat human rights injustices, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may issue a Withhold Release Order (WRO) for certain goods. We recently saw this with textiles and apparel manufactured from cotton grown in the Xinjiang Province in China, which also grows some of the best cotton in the world. However, 85% of the cotton grown and harvested in China comes from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, using forced and/or child labor.

March 15, 2022