If you’ve ever wished importing consumer products came with just one more compliance requirement, congratulations – your wish has been granted. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has finalized its long-awaited electronic filing (eFiling) rule, ushering in one of the most significant changes to product import compliance in years. While “electronic filing of Certificates…
Every Independence Day, communities across the country celebrate with one of America’s favorite traditions: fireworks displays. Depending on the size of the event, a professional fireworks show can cost anywhere from $5,000 for a small municipal display to well over $100,000 for large city celebrations. Major metropolitan displays can easily exceed several hundred thousand dollars….
Section 232 Updates Reshape the Metal Import Landscape The U.S. government has once again expanded its trade measures on imported metals, introducing major changes to tariffs on aluminum, steel, copper, and products made from those materials. In a pair of proclamations issued in April and June 2026, the Trump administration strengthened existing Section 232 tariffs,…
Where Does Your Coffee Come From? Nearly two-thirds of American adults drink coffee every day. For many of us, that morning cup is as routine as brushing our teeth. But how often do we stop and ask a simple question, ‘Where did this coffee come from, and how was it harvested?’ More importantly, could forced…
If you are an exporter, chances are you’ve had questions about complying with the export regulations. Understanding the regulations is one thing; applying them correctly in real-world situations is another. If you’ve ever wondered whether other exporters struggle with the same challenges, you’re not alone. Test your export compliance knowledge with some of the most…
The Takeaway: Exporting to China Carries Immense Risk In case you do not read any further, remember this take-away: Exporting to China, either directly or indirectly, whether tangible or intangible items, carries immense risk. All scenarios are affected, whether it be directly to your Chinese customer or through a domestic or international reseller/distributor; whether it…
President Trump touted that tariff was one of his favorite words and he has been doing everything in his power to have additional tariffs stick on certain products and/or countries since the beginning of his second time in office. Earlier this month, the White House hosted a Small Business Summit. I saw some of the…
When a Shipment Becomes a Crisis and How Export Violations Can Cripple a Company What do General Electric Company, Precision Castparts, RTX, and 3D Systems Corporation all have in common? If you said they all have a public settlement for allegations of violating ITAR regulations, you’re right! In global trade, there’s always pressure to move…
Well, the day has come that every importer has been holding their breath for… the ability to get back the IEEPA refunds that had been paid. On April 20, CBP’s CAPE system became available for importers or customs brokers to file for refunds under Phase 1, after SCOTUS ruled that the IEEPA tariffs were illegal….
When I think about artificial intelligence, my mind goes straight to the movies. Blade Runner, The Terminator, RoboCop, and of course, Johnny Five from Short Circuit. “Johnny Five is alive!” Still one of the best lines. More recent films like Ex Machina and Her push the idea even further, showing AI as something deeply embedded…