Order Collaboration Yields ROI for Leading Apparel Manufacturer

A key challenge plaguing global manufacturers is a lack of overall visibility into their production management and purchase order (PO) lifecycle, as well as a loss of sight into shipment tracking. This sore spot has been aggravated as consumers demand more information regarding their orders (and also want them delivered yesterday). This leading manufacturer of top-tier athletic apparel and footwear suffered intensely from these challenges, which ultimately led to a loss of end-to-end visibility within their supply chain.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/order-collaboration-yields-roi-for-leading-apparel-manufacturer

Achieve Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Status – Your Questions Answered

Last month, Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy hosted the webinar Navigate the Post-Brexit Landscape: Achieve Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Status. With Brexit around the corner in March 2019, your company must have the proper trade compliance processes in place to navigate the post-Brexit landscape.

As the webinar presenter, Suzanne Richer, Director of Trade Advisory Practices at Amber Road, contributed her expertise to the topic. From AEO in the global and UK context to an overview of the Certified Authorized Economic Operator (CAEO™) Specialist Program, Suzanne touched on some of the hottest points of interest. However, when discussing such an in-depth topic, questions are bound to arise.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/achieve-authorized-economic-operator-aeo-status-your-questions-answered

Q&A - The Great Trade Pivot: Changing Policies and Their Impact on Your Global Supply Chain

A few weeks ago, Amber Road's Global Trade Academy hosted the webinar The Great Trade Pivot: Changing Policies and Their Impact on Your Global Supply Chain. This webinar (available on-demand) walks through some of the biggest potential policy changes that could dramatically raise your import costs and have a profound impact on your company’s import compliance program.

Robin Grover, an international trade lawyer with over 35 years of experience handling all aspects of export-import issues, recieved a lot of great questions during the live broadcast and he has taken the time to answer some here.

Q: What is your opinion on GSP getting reinstated? What timing do you expect? 

1. CBP notes on its website: “GSP periodically expires and must be renewed by Congress to remain in effect. The 2015 GSP reauthorization (H.R. 1295) expired on December 31, 2017. All previous GSP renewals that have taken effect after a lapse have included a retroactive clause providing refunds to importers of eligible goods imported during the lapse period.”  Customs goes on to recommend that you “flag” all GSP entries: “Until further notice, importers are strongly encouraged to continue to flag GSP-eligible importations with the SPI “A,” even as they pay normal trade relations (column 1) duty rates on otherwise GSP-eligible importations. Importers may not file SPI "A" without duties.”   I fully agree with Customs on this and expect that Congress will ultimately renew GSP and make its benefits for entries retroactive.  On a related note, please be aware that CBP in conducting audits is looking for substantial documentation in your files to support claims of GSP duty-free status for your imported goods.

Q: Are the Section 232 cases against steel and aluminum seen as cases against raw steel and aluminum (rolls sheets etc.) or even articles made of steel and aluminum?

1. There is some secrecy attached to the Commerce investigation and recommendation to the President as to which products and countries would be covered.  From all that I have seen, it would appear to be primary forms of aluminum and steel.

Q: What is the number of the Executive Order that emphasizes enforcement of Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties?

1. Executive Order 13785, dated March 31, 2017 and entitled: Presidential Executive Order on Establishing Enhanced Collection and Enforcement of Antidumping and Countervailing Duties and Violations of Trade and Customs Laws.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/qa-the-great-trade-pivot-changing-policies-and-their-impact-on-your-global-supply-chain

Supply Chain Visibility – Best Practices to Delight Today's "Modern" Customers

Everything we buy these days - a tube of toothpaste from Amazon, a TV from Best Buy, or a drone from Walmart - comes with alerts: “Your Order has Left the Warehouse!” or “Your Purchase is on its Way!”, and of course emails with estimated delivery times usually from both the supplier and the carrier.  It is what we’ve all become accustomed to and it’s part of the retail phenomenon called the “Amazon effect.”

• Well, what if you instantly knew details on the location, arrival, and departure time of everything your own company shipped at every step of its journey from you to your customer?
• What if this could all happen automatically, with no human intervention, as if “by magic?”
• What if something becomes delayed at any step of the way you would be automatically notified, and a revised schedule immediately created?
• What if this could happen with every single order, every single time, no matter where in the world it was going, no matter who the logistics parties were, day or night?
• Wouldn’t your customers be thrilled if they were automatically alerted to any adjustments in their delivery expectations?

With Amber Road’s Global Trade Management (GTM) software there really is no excuse anymore for this to not be the standard practice in the industry globally.  And for Amber Road’s clients utilizing our Export Management and Supply Chain Visibility solutions, it is an everyday advantage.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/supply-chain-visibility-best-practices-to-delight-todays-modern-customers

Reinventing the Retail Supply Chain: Amber Road at RILA 2018

Every year, the 2018 Retail Supply Chain Conference gathers leading retail executives for an opportunity to network and discover developments in retail supply chain management. This one of a kind event is based on the theme of ‘Reinventing the Retail Supply Chain: Accelerating What’s Possible.’ As a global trade management software provider, Amber Road’s products take a strong focus on reinventing the retail supply chain.

Amber Road is excited to attend at this year’s conference in Phoenix, AZ from February 25-28 at exhibit booth 219. Our industry experts will be available to chat & educate global retailers of how Amber Road’s global trade management solutions can serve their organization.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/reinventing-the-retail-supply-chain-amber-road-at-the-2018-rila-conferene

What is Global Sourcing?

An entire article answering a simple question – how preposterous, right? While this question could usually be answered in a sentence or two, the current global trade landscape makes it a bit more difficult for everyone to understand. Sourcing executives are now, more than ever, struggling to balance quality and speed with the ever-changing trade regulations, global competition, and general uncertainty in trade.

Business Dictionary defines global sourcing as, “A procurement strategy in which a business seeks to find the most cost-efficient location for manufacturing a product, even if the location is in a foreign country.” But is it really that simple? And how can you master it in 2018 and beyond?

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/what-is-global-sourcing

Go Digital & Tackle the Complexities of Global Trade

80% of supply chain executives expect the digital supply chain to become the predominant model within 5 years. That's why best in-class companies align global trade management with business objectives and challenge it as a "cost of doing business." These organizations recognize that a digital supply chain results in both qualitative and quantifiable value.

Unfortunately, the trail leading to where the value of digitization can be derived is riddled with complexities. Amber Road and Journal of Commerce partnered up to create an infographic titled ‘Navigating the Complexities of Global Trade Management.’

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/tackle-the-complexities-of-global-trade

Welcome to 2018: A Year of Continued Global Supply Chain Challenges

In 2017, global trade made a major comeback across global economies, inspiring hope that the climate is ready to improve. Simultaneously, the complexity of conducting global trade and complying effectively with numerous and growing regulatory and licensing requirements has also boomed. As we flip the calendar to 2018, companies with global supply chains must remain vigil within this peculiar mix of improvement and distress.

Today, every business is a digital business and the impact of digital strategies on supply chain management are of particular importance. For businesses around the globe, 2018 will be shaped by the success rate of digital transformation efforts. Amber Road’s white paper, 6 Global Supply Chain Trends to Watch in 2018, outlines the top issues that your 2018 digital strategy should address.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/welcome-to-2018-a-year-of-continued-global-supply-chain-challenges

Pivotal Trade Initiatives: Increased Duties & The Global Supply Chain Impact

The importing community is reacting to the recently announced tariff increases based on a recommendation from the United States International Trade Commission. This led to President Trump’s move to add a 30% tariff on solar cells and up to 50% for imported washing machines. The tariffs on the solar cells would decrease over a four-year period. 

The President is using Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, the so-called “escape clause” to take this action. This rarely used statutory provision empowers the President to grant temporary import relief, by raising import duties or imposing non-tariff barriers on goods entering the United States that injure or threaten to injure domestic industries that produce similar goods.  

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/the-great-trade-pivot-increased-duties-their-impact-on-your-global-supply-chain

Webinar: How Will Changing Trade Policies Impact Your Global Supply Chain?

How will your company handle trade policy changes? From the latest trade restrictions on the import of solar panels and washing machines, to ongoing NAFTA renegotiations, extensive policy changes are underway. A recent survey of more than 500 global logistics executives found that shippers are divided on the potential outcome of US free trade agreements negotiations and are generally unsure what to expect. Others are scrambling to deal with unexpected trade regulations that have shaken their industries to the very core.  

Amber Road wants to help you navigate these changes. Currently, there are eight major policy initiatives in review that could be a big adjustment for importers – affecting both the bottom line and key business practices.

Join Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy as we explore the major changes that should be on your radar during our webinar, The Great Trade Pivot: Changing Policies and Their Impact on Your Global Supply Chain, broadcasting live on Wednesday, February 7 at 2pm EST.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/the-great-trade-pivot-changing-policies-and-their-impact-on-your-global-supply-chain