Continued from Chapter 7: Global Knowledge®

An ever-increasing demand to do more with less means companies are directly turning to automation to streamline their operations and to ensure greater efficiency. However, the best content and practices in the world are only useful if you have people in place who understand it and can put it to use.

Last month, Amber Road's Global Trade Academy broadcasted a webinar Customs Valuation Essentials for Importing. Our presenter, Robin Grover, Consultant at Amber Road’s Trade Advisory Practice received several questions throughout the webinar. Unfortunately, he did not have time to address them all during the live broadcast. We have compiled his answers into a Q&A document - here is a preview:

Were you unable to make it to this year’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Update Conference in Washington, DC? Or did you make it to Washington, DC, but would like a review of the themes and updates from the show?

Multinational companies are not investing in trade compliance training for their employees. Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy conducted a survey to better understand the trade compliance programs and training needs of companies.

Close to 70% of companies stated they had on-going compliance training for employees. Yet only 48% have an annual employee training budget. This discrepancy may be due to using internal resources instead of external training resources.

It is estimated companies overlook up to $2.5 billion in eligible duty drawback claims, even when they are qualified to file for these tax refunds. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) refunds up to 99% of import duties paid; your firm may be eligible even if you are not the original importer or exporter of a good, but meet the requirements of the program.

On July 12^th, Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy broadcasted a webinar on Labeling Apparel – Getting it Right! Our presenter, Robin Grover from Amber Road, received several questions throughout the webinar and unfortunately did not have time to address them all during the live broadcast. We have compiled his answers into a Q&A document - here is a preview:

Are there specific guidelines for faux fur labeling?

The FTC does not require faux (also called “artificial” or “fake” fur) to be labeled since it has no actual fur content[1].   Several states, however, have adopted their own regulations which mandate that if an item appears to be fur but does not so qualify the product’s label must both state that it is “faux fur” and specify the actual fiber content. As a consequence, many major U.S. retailers of artificial furs and the suppliers of such products to them will require the inclusion of a faux fur label in all such products instead of maintaining two sets of faux fur inventory.  It proves costly to maintain one set of such product inventory to be sold in states with faux fur labeling requirements and another set of inventory destined for states that do not have faux fur labeling mandates.  Those state regulations requiring the labeling of so-called “faux fur” or “artificial fur” products have been enacted by: Delaware; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; Wisconsin.

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a legislative mandate to require comprehensive, preventive-based controls across the supply chain. The Food Modernization Act (FSMA) requires enhanced oversight of suppliers, with greater auditing responsibilities for the USA-based importer.

Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy webinar entitled Food Safety Modernization Act – Are You Prepared?, broadcasted live on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 2PM EDT. During this webinar, Suzanne Richer, Director of Amber Road’s Trade Advisory Practice, provide an in-depth overview of FSMA, requirements for record-keeping, and how to leverage technology to optimize supply chain traceability. Subscribe to Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy’s eLearning platform to access a course covering this topic!

Earlier this month, Amber Road's Global Trade Academy broadcasted a webinar The British Vote Brexit: How Will This Impact Global Trade in EU and US Companies? Our presenter, Arne Mielken, Senior Trade Specialist at Amber Road, European Union received several questions throughout the webinar. Unfortunately they did not have time to address them all during the live broadcast. We have compiled their answers into a Q&A document - here is a preview:

Last month, Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy broadcasted a webinar WCO 2017 HS Changes: Is your Company Prepared? Our presenters, Kristine Bols, Director of Global Trade Content at Amber Road and Suzanne Richer, Director of Amber Road’s Trade Advisory Practice, received several questions throughout the webinar. Unfortunately they did not have time to address them all during the live broadcast. We have compiled their answers into a Q&A document - here is a preview:

The labeling rules for apparel products are detailed and numerous.  Specialty materials such as fiber, bamboo, and fur all require an especially strong understanding of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) requirements.