International Trade Blog

Ever get in one of those moods where you’re ready to toss every single page from every single stack of paper sitting in a filing cabinet or bookshelf? Me too. But if you’re an exporter, you shouldn’t be too quick to throw away your export documentation.

Although it may seem like a headache to keep all your paperwork, there are quite a few rules regarding export document retention. If you do toss your export paperwork without paying attention to those rules, you could be in for an even bigger headache.

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In late December 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a final rule removing Hong Kong as a separate destination under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

While once recognized as an independent export entity, changes to the way the Chinese central government treats Hong Kong have led the U.S. to reclassify Hong Kong for BIS purposes, and it now considers Hong Kong the same as the rest of China. Effective Dec. 23, 2020, this rule increases the likelihood that exports to Hong Kong require an Automated Export System (AES) filing.

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World Trade Month is scheduled for May 2021, and WorldTradeMonth.com is publishing a calendar of international-trade-related events scheduled to be held throughout the United States that month.

If your company or organization is hosting events during May 2021, simply complete the form located on the World Trade Month website to add it to the directory of events.

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To be a successful exporter, you need a solid understanding of each phase of the export journey—what it requires in terms of infrastructure, compliance and documentation (just to name a few), as well as the key players who are involved.

In this article, I’ll share four important considerations related to international shipping and logistics that new exporters must consider as they begin their journey in international trade.

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You've probably heard of a chamber of commerce—these private organizations have an easy-to-remember name. But what do you really know about the role chambers play in exporting?

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Successful exporters understand how important it is to properly complete and provide the required export paperwork. The export documents you may need for a particular shipment vary depending on where you are exporting, how you are transporting the goods and what you are shipping.

The Certificate of Free Sale is one export form you may need to provide. It provides assurance to the customs authority of the importing country that the items listed on the certificate are the same items that are manufactured in the United States and sold here without restriction, and that they presumably meet all state and federal laws and regulations. It provides that assurance because the form is certified by a U.S.-based chamber of commerce. Some countries may require a certificate from a government agency such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for certain products.

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Understanding product classification is a necessary and important part of a successful importer and exporter’s toolkit. Unfortunately, it’s also a complicated, and therefore misunderstood, aspect of international trade. Companies may be quick to rush through classification and make mistakes. Improper classifications may trigger audits, long delays in shipping and substantial financial penalties, so it’s important to do correctly!

This article will help clarify this often-muddled topic by summarizing some of the key points discussed by Robert P. Imbriani in his free webinar, Classifying Your Products for Importing and Exporting.

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May is World Trade Month in the United States, and to coordinate the plethora of events traditionally scheduled for that month, the World Trade Month Association's website, WorldTradeMonth.com, will once again serve as a directory of international trade-related events scheduled for May 2021 across the country.

The theme for this year's World Trade Month website is "Growing exports in uncertain times," a reflection of the challenges facing companies during a global pandemic, economic volatility and a new U.S. presidential administration.

Individuals may register for free on the website to receive notifications of World Trade Month events they may wish to attend. Organizations may submit the events they are planning to host during the month. There is no charge for the listings.

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Looking to break into the world’s fastest-growing economy? Then look toward India. That’s right—within the next decade, India will outrank China as the most populous country in the world. So what does the growth of this nation mean for its economy and for exporters who may want to enter it?

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For exporters shipping their products internationally, a commercial invoice is one of the most important documents completed in the export journey. This legal document is required to accompany your exports for customs clearance, duties and taxes purposes.

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