Ok, I know I told you all last post we were going to talk about exceptions and exemptions, and you were probably super excited to read my deep dive into how to take advantage of them, but I changed my mind. Yes, cue the cliché about “women changing their minds” but seriously, something else has…
By now, we have all seen the updates to the Boycott Requester List from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), with the most recent update on April 3, 2025. This blog aims to address the fundamental question: What exactly is this list, and more critically, what are the implications if an…
As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, U.S. trade policies remain a central focus, particularly in relation to steel and aluminum imports. On March 12, 2025, President Donald Trump’s administration is set to implement significant expansions to the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum—an action that promises to further shape the future of…
Tariffs, a tax on imports, have historically been used to support domestic industries and are primarily imposed for two reasons: to protect domestic industries by raising the cost of imported goods, and/or to generate revenue for the government. However, they can often also result in reduced trade, higher prices, and retaliation. A tariff is a…
In all the years of my career, I don’t think I have seen so many articles or news stories on tariffs as I have since Donald Trump won the election in November. Everyone is trying to speculate on what he is going to do and if he will follow through with his promises on increasing…
Why Identifying Red Flags Matters in Trade Compliance Many companies sell products worldwide, which is why it is important to identify trade compliance issues and red flags to prevent an export violation from occurring. This blog acts as a reminder and points out some important questions to ask yourself when processing transactions that involve shipping…
In today’s globalized world, it’s not uncommon for travelers to find themselves in a position where they need to transport commercial items across borders. Whether you’re a small business owner attending a trade show or a Fortune 500 company employee taking a spare replacement part to a customer, hand-carrying commercial items can present a unique…
Regulatory Blast – Drinking from a Firehose! The recent regulatory landscape is ever changing. In fact, I am finding it hard to stay up to date – and I am what some may say “experienced”! The other day, I told a colleague that I had not had an easy question to answer that week! In…
Did you know that the anti-boycott laws are part of export compliance? If not, you are not alone as this is often an overlooked due diligence requirement necessary to comply with the U.S. export laws. Understanding what U.S. anti-boycott compliance means and how it affects day-to-day operations is key to adhering to the requirements. These…
In 1789 Benjamin Franklin wrote in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, “… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Nothing rings truer than when you are trying to import merchandise from another country. If you don’t get all the elements correct for an import entry, you might…