Speed-to-market has become the top market pressure for retailers. There are a few companies in the apparel industry that are turning heads with their transformative process changes. What can other industries or CPG manufacturers learn from the “fast fashion” leaders like H&M, Uniqlo, and Zara who are able to go from concept to shelf in weeks?

Global trade management is challenging enough, given the complexity of managing and optimizing supply chains today. As global supply chains become increasingly more complex, the challenge of managing the growth while maintaining control increases along with it. Change is constant. However, with Brexit and new U.S. trade and tax policies soon to take effect, companies must be prepared before it's too late.

The world of global trade is fast-paced, always moving, ever-changing, and always evolving. In order to keep pace, your supply chain processes and technology need to evolve too.

Amber Road's global trade management software helps companies transform their global supply chain to improve margins, enable agility, and reduce risk by increasing operational efficiency, reducing direct costs, and creating a faster, leaner, more agile supply chain.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is leveraging the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system to implement a Single Window with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs). As a result, importers must now prepare all data elements prior to the arrival of goods.  Considering 10-75 data points must be declared at the time of admission, importers must find a way to ensure that the correct information is being submitted in a timely manner.

This is an update to a blog post originally published on March 10, 2017.

Update:  Last month, the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) decided to remove ZTE Corporation from its Entity List, allowing the company to continue business in the United States. 

“By acknowledging the mistakes we made, taking responsibility for them... we are committed to a ZTE that is fully compliant, healthy, and trustworthy.”

- Zhao Xianming, ZTE President

In today's complex and dynamic regulatory environment, retailers must leverage technology and best practices to address costly product safety and compliance risks. Real time visibility and reporting are essential components in preventing disruptions throughout the entire product development lifecycle. However, what happens if your data becomes scattered and is not integrated into a primary supply chain management solution?

Supply chain risk comes in various forms - geopolitical, cyber security, and natural disasters (just to name a few). So, how can you prevent these risks from becoming major supply chain disruptions?

There is a lot to be worried about in 2017 for those companies reliant on global trade. You are encountering the anticipated shifts in worldwide trade policies stemming from a series of governmental changes (such as the U.S. election), last year’s trade volumes and retail sales hitting bottom, transportation and logistics companies running aground, brick and mortar stores turning out the lights for good, and everyone being asked to do less with more. 

Global e-commerce is growing in leaps and bounds, particularly in emerging markets, where consumers can find it hard to locate affordable imported products in local shops. As the trend of cross-border commerce increases, many companies are embracing e-commerce to fulfill the demands of customers worldwide seeking products not available at local brick-and-mortar stores. However, these significant global sales opportunities also present the challenge to deliver a positive customer experience while combatting high
shipping fees, hidden costs, import and export regulations, and product restrictions.

As you are probably aware, the World Customs Organization (WCO) announced updates to the Harmonized System (HS), which means major changes are just around the corner! The Wall Street Journal took notice in their new Morning Risk Report: Changes Coming to Product Classification System.