Industry Insights

Trade Data System Set for 2016 Implementation Designed to Streamline Export/Import Process By executive order, President Obama back in February set December 31, 2016 as the deadline for federal agencies to use the International Trade Data System (ITDS), a system that will speed up the time necessary for processing and approving the regulatory documentation for businesses that export American-made goods. Right now, before businesses can clear their goods for import or export, they have to submit documents, often on paper, to a variety of federal agencies. The ITDS would let businesses submit all the required data electronically and all in […]

Freight Forwarders, Brokers Should Go Beyond SMS Scores in Carrier Selection The Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program under the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has come under review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the last several months. In February, the GAO issued a report that indicated that the Safety Measurement System (SMS), a key part of the Carrier Safety Administration’s (CSA), faces challenges because “most regulations used to calculate SMS scores are not violated often enough to strongly associate them with crash risk for individual carriers.” Moreover, according to the GAO report, “most […]

Five Important Tips to Consider When Reviewing Contracts If one thing can be said for the relationships between transportation intermediaries and their clients, it’s that no two are the same. That is especially true for shippers who demand that their own terms and conditions dictate your relationship.  In the past, only a select group of shippers or logistics service providers (LSPs) insisted that transportation intermediaries contractually waive industry standards or statutory limitations of liability. It has now become common practice for shippers and logistics providers to demand the same. Most shipper / LSP contracts can significantly increase your liability as an […]

ISF Enforcement Updates The trade community’s interest in ISF developments remains high. Considering the sweeping impact of this program upon brokers, importers, and others, this is no surprise. Has there been a great deal of ISF discussion over the past seven months? Yes. Have there been a many substantive changes? Not really. As a follow-up to an ISF enforcement update Roanoke prepared for its clients and colleagues late last summer, we have prepared a brief status report on ISF administration. To access this concise update, click here. Should you have any questions, please submit them via email to Dave Jordan at dave.jordan@roanoketrade.com so he may respond to you. Or you […]

Update on Exemptions for ATA Carnet Roanoke Insurance Group confirmed that the U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB) has received a written statement from U.S. Census clarifying that during this period of Informed Compliance ATA Carnet shipments will still be exempt from the new EEI filing requirement. U.S. Census stated the following: “During this period (of Informed Compliance), the CBP will not penalize Carnet holders, authorized agents, or carriers of these goods for failure to file the EEI or ship Carnet exports. The period of informed compliance will take place from the revised FTR effective date of April 5, 2014, through October […]

TRIA Reauthorization and the Transportation and Logistics Industry During the last eighteen months there has been ongoing debate over the reauthorization of the government-backed Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which is set to expire on December 31, 2014. There have been multiple hearings during this time with the most recent taking place the week of April 8th. On the heels of the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon terrorist attack, the Senate just agreed to a bipartisan bill that would extend TRIA for seven years with some major changes. The primary change would increase insurer co-pays from 15% to 20% […]