Global Supply Chains Spring Into Action

Global trade is exploding; supply chains in every industry continue to ramp-up movement of goods, maintain pace with trade regulations, and gain the competitive advantage by being the fastest, top-quality, and least expensive. Staying on top of your game means you have to focus on improving supply chain visibility while tightening costs and keeping up with consumer demand. To help companies, Amber Road’s subject matter experts provide best practices across the supply chain in a range of published articles from industry publications.

All is Not Quiet on the Western Front: Trade is Happening in Logistics Viewpoints

While most of the world is tuned-into the ongoing tariff battles between the US and China, European nations are using the opportunity to strengthen their relationship with China. Moreover, China President Xi’s orchestrated visits to EU leaders is putting pressure on US trade negotiators.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/global-supply-chains-spring-into-action

Spring Cleaning: Get Your HS Code Right!

Challenged with classification? Classifying the same product differently in one or more countries? Uncertain as to when a “kit” is a “kit for customs purposes” or when to classify a part with the machine and when not to? 

The Harmonized System (HS) is a global number, to 6-digits, that drives the duties, fees and taxes of a product upon importation, in addition to applicable protective measures (i.e.: antidumping). In addition, the HS number is the basis of many free trade agreement qualification processes. So why do so many companies raise their customs risk and classify some products differently when operating in more than one country?

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/spring-cleaning-get-your-hs-code-right

Let’s Talk About Global Sourcing

When comparing today's retail environment with the past, it isn't surprising that the industry remains focused on improving visibility in the supply chain (again).  Anyone who reads the daily news realizes the greater complexity of our business. You've got fast fashion, global competition, changing demographics, seismic political shifts, demanding consumers, product innovation, and throw in an NGO or two pushing for ethical sourcing and sustainability (rightfully so). So many things are affecting apparel and footwear companies, many of which brands have very little control over.

There are things companies can have better control over: supply chain visibility for one.  Generally, visibility means that you know what's happening throughout the product life-cycle of your goods and where it's happening at any given time. Moreover, while there are different levels of visibility, I think what we want to discuss is full end-to-end visibility – I like to think of it as a transparent glass pipeline – that allows access to every piece of data on a given product at any given time. And it's essential beyond being called a "buzzword," because full visibility allows a company to deliver their products to their customers on-time and with the level of quality that people have come to expect.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/lets-talk-about-global-sourcing

A New Momentum for Free Trade with Asia

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) facilitate access to international markets by lowering trade barriers and providing cost-saving advantages at the same time. Despite Asia's importance for European foreign trade, agreements with Asian countries are not progressing quickly. For example, agreements with Singapore concluded in 2014, South Korea in 2015, and Japan on February 1, 2019. This year, signatures on an agreement with Vietnam should allow it to move ahead. 

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/a-new-momentum-for-free-trade-with-asia

Are You Missing Out on Millions in Duty Drawback?

Could you be missing out on millions in duty drawback claims? Many shippers aren't taking advantage of valuable savings due to an inefficient or lack of a duty drawback program. When goods are re-exported, destroyed, or used in manufacturing another export, shippers can reclaim up to 99% of duty payments. In fact, it's estimated that there are $2-3 billion of unclaimed duty drawback each year. Isn't it time for you to get your slice of that pie?

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/missing-out-on-millions-in-duty-drawback

Rider University's Global Supply Chain Symposium Highlights Sanctions & Other Trade Hurdles

Managing a global supply chain isn't confined to simple logistics - trade regulations, Customs entry requirements, and shifting tariff rules can have a weighty impact on your landed cost and speed to market.

That's why, at Rider University's Global Supply Chain Symposium, supply chain leaders spoke on a panel titled Global Trade and Its Impact on Your Supply Chain. Suzanne Richer, Director of Amber Road's Trade Advisory Practice, joined executives from Subaru and Firmenich at the symposium which welcomed supply chain and logistics professionals for a full day of presentations and panels from industry leaders.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/supply-chain-forum-features-amber-road-trade-advisory-director

Why All the Angst Over Brexit?

Last Friday was the date set for Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. What might ultimately have happened on this day has been salivated over by some and agonized over by others ever since the UK voted nearly three years ago to withdraw, an event quickly dubbed “Brexit”—Britain Exiting the EU.  After the Brexit referendum, British Prime Minister Theresa May had over two years to negotiate an exit strategy that would gain Parliament's support. This proved more difficult than most anticipated, and the deadline was pushed back to April 12, 2019. But with the next deadline looming and nothing concrete in the works, the PM Theresa May and EU leaders agreed to extend this date for another six months; so, for now, the UK remains in the EU. But those not living in the UK may be wondering, why all the angst? Why can’t the UK just withdraw? The short answer is, they could. The long answer is much, much more complicated.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/why-all-the-angst-over-brexit

Amber Road Launches New Multi-Country Customs Warehousing Platform with Enhanced Support for European Customs Filing

Amber Road has expanded its support for customs filing in Europe in conjunction with the launch of a new multi-country customs warehousing platform. These solutions address the need for companies to rapidly configure their supply chain given changes in trade regulations or business strategy and to fully digitize trade processes with direct self-filing to customs agencies.

The Amber Road GTM solution integrates Global Knowledge® trade content from over 170 countries with order-to-cash processes to ensure compliant cross-border trade.  The new multi-country customs warehousing solution delivers a single platform from which to take advantage of the cost savings and supply chain efficiencies when moving bonded and non-bonded inventory in and out of Europe.   

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/amber-road-launches-new-multi-country-customs-warehousing-platform-with-enhanced-support-for-european-customs-filing

6 Steps to a Great Technology Stack

As global trade continues to grow in complexity, the demands on supply chains are only becoming greater. With the emergence of new transportation technologies in tandem with regulatory and geopolitical shifts, developing a comprehensive global supply chain strategy becomes increasingly more difficult. In the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is critical for organizations to stay ahead of the global trade challenges stacked against them.

source https://blog.amberroad.com/blog/6-steps-to-a-great-technology-stack