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Understanding Harbor Maintenance Fees and Merchandising Processing Fees

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Dispatch from MJBizCon 2022

SiShips was on the Ground for MJBizCon 2022, the Biggest Professional Cannabis Event of the Year Cannabis is moving fast, and SiShips is helping it move even faster. As domestic and international laws evolve, hemp and cannabis is quickly becoming one of the quickest growing sectors in the agricultural industry.  SiShips has been working with growers to import supplies like grow lights and processing machines over the last few years. Then, following the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 we were able to begin shipping hemp and its derivatives.  Much of our business at SiShips comes…
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Biden and Congress Intervene to Prevent Rail Strike

Potentially Catastrophic Rail Strike Averted by Bipartisan Cooperation Some might say Christmas has been saved—others feel like all they’ve got is a lump of coal in their stocking. Rumors of a rail strike have been percolating since this summer, before reaching a fever pitch ahead of a December 9th deadline. At the urging and approval of President Joe Biden, congress acted on Wednesday, November 30th to enshrine previous agreement terms. Regardless of viewpoint or political affiliation, it is undeniable that a rail strike in the final weeks leading up to the holiday season would have…
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Weakening Shipping Demand Ahead of Chinese New Year

Weakening Shipping Demand Ahead of Chinese New Year Softening Market Indicates Uncertain Future The global supply chain continues its trend of surprise and unpredictability. Following a relatively quiet quarter, shipping demand looks to soften even more as the calendar turns to 2023. Historically, the holiday surge continues into January as buyers and shippers try to get ahead before the Chinese New Year festivities.  Late January and early February are always a sensitive time for international business in Asia, because all factories and ports close for two weeks. Employees will travel home to visit family. Even…
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How to Avoid Snags when Shipping Overseas

How to Avoid Snags when Shipping Overseas Tracking Cargo Around the Globe If a shipping container could talk, it would have more stories than could last a lifetime. These hardy boxes of steel circle the globe many times over. They deliver raw materials and parts to factories. They bring goods from other continents to your local store. Then, they go back and do it all over again.  There are certain unavoidable problems during a journey lasting thousands of miles. However, with the help of an experienced team, you will never fall far off track. With fast,…
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Excess inventory stacked in shipping containers beside an empty road.

Excess Inventory Slows Global Demand

Excess Inventory Slows Global Demand Quiet Lunar New Year in Store for Shippers Inflation and the possibility of a recession are leading to excess inventory. Demand for products of all kinds surged since the start of Covid in March 2020. Buyers could not keep stores stocked. However, Q4 2022 indicated the historical demand we have seen recently has come to a stop. Last year’s Lunar New Year was seen as a return to normal, giving hope for a year of smooth sailing. Unfortunately, thanks to a multitude of factors such as confusion around China’s zero-Covid…
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The Importance of Power of Attorney for Freight Forwarding

The Importance of Power of Attorney for Freight Forwarding Understanding Legal Requirements for US Customs One of the most common questions we have been hearing lately is “Why do I need to give my customs broker Power of Attorney?” This is a fair question and it can sometimes feel like another case of bureaucratic red tape when establishing Power of Attorney (POA). However, when it comes to US Customs, you always want to make sure you are following the letter of the law. Establishing POA is not only required by law, it enables your customs…
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Postal Codes Required on Shipments from China

Postal Codes Required on Shipments from China New Requirement Comes as International Community Attempts to Prevent Uyghur Forced Labor As of March 18th, 2023, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began the rollout of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Region Alert. This is the latest enforcement of the UFLPA signed into law by President Biden in December 2021.  The UFLPA prohibits the importation of any goods, merchandise or wares manufactured in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, due to the human rights abuses in the region. Sanctions on Products from Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region…
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SiShips 2023 Shipping Industry Forecast

SiShips 2023 Shipping Industry Forecast We Asked Our Team To Share Their Thoughts About Upcoming Trends The shipping industry is more intertwined than ever with the daily life of billions around the globe. As a vital player in the world economy, freight forwarding has undergone significant changes and unique challenges in recent years, including fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, international conflict, and increasing environmental regulations. These developments have had a profound impact on the shipping industry. We asked the members of the Sheltered International team their impressions on the current state of the shipping industry…
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What Triggers a Customs Exam?

What Triggers a Customs Exam? How Customs Exams Can Affect Imports No one enjoys being subjected to an U.S. Customs Exam, but it can be a necessary step in the process of importing goods into the United States. Following September 11, 2001, the U.S. government combined existing divisions to create Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The goal of this new administrative body is to protect Americans by ensuring that nothing illegal or dangerous enters the country through importing ports of call. The concept is similar to going through security at an airport. Nothing will happen…
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A shipping port at night in Hong Kong. BRICS exports have risen over the last several decades.

Possible BRICS Currency Looks to Take on US Dollar

Possible BRICS Currency looks to Take on US Dollar What a Weak Dollar Means for Trade While the U.S. is no longer relying on the gold standard, the U.S. dollar (USD) is still very much the gold standard in international trade. The dollar is used in 75% of all international trade and nearly 100% of all oil trades. However, the emerging strength of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has been a looming economic specter since their alignment in 2006. These five nations are home to 41% of the world population and just…
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