Industry Insights

ATA Carnet, commonly referred to as the Merchandise Passport, is an international customs document and temporary export-import document used to ease customs clearance in 100 countries and territories. The ATA Carnet system was established by the international ATA convention and is governed by the World Customs Organization and International Chamber of Commerce and its World Chambers Federation to encourage world trade and reduce trade barriers created by different national customs regulations. An ATA Carnet eliminates duties and value-added tax (VAT) on merchandise that will be re-exported to the U.S. within 12 months. It also eliminates the need to post some […]

The strategic significance of development and promotion of renewable energy in the twenty-first century has profoundly affected the solar panel industry worldwide. Increased foreign production in this key sector has generated heightened sensitivity to international competitive factors, in turn spawning special tariff measures to ensure a level playing field for all. U.S./China trade has been materially impacted by the foregoing. The first set of U.S. ADD/CVD orders (A-570-979 and C-570-980) on solar panels and cells from China was published in late 2012. Those orders do not apply to panels produced in China from cells originating in a third-country, but they […]

Forwarders are struggling to maintain profitability as freight rates on some major container routes continue their dive, according to the Journal of Commerce (joc.com). Profit margins, typically tight, especially in Asia-Europe trade, are being hit by new record lows for spot prices. Rates are changing daily, and there is heavy quoting and bargaining that is eating up forwarders’ time as they try to keep and win business. Almost 80% of companies are experiencing higher price pressure this year than last, a study by Simon-Kucher & Partners found. Almost two thirds of survey respondents said they are suffering from price wars. […]

  In observance of Independence Day, our offices will close at 3:00PM on Thursday, July 2nd and will remain closed on Friday, July 3rd. We will re-open on Monday, July 6th at 8:30AM. From all your friends at Roanoke, we wish you a safe and memorable holiday weekend!

  On Monday, June 29th FreightWatch International released the following report as a guide for how to prepare for this holiday weekend: Description: Holiday weekends are notorious for showing increased cargo theft risks for transportation companies, shippers, and manufacturers.  Organized theft rings are active and understand holiday weekends cause shipments to be unattended for extended periods of time. Thefts occurring over Independence Day weekends between 2010 and 2014 had an average value of $145,267, including eight separate incidents with a declared value over $250,000. Recommendation: FreightWatch International recommends that logistics and security professionals ensure security protocols are up to date and in line […]