At Edward J. Zarach & Associates, we always keep a keen eye on developments that affect international trade, supply chains, and our valued clients. As of June 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a significant move by adding two Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity...Read More
Once again, there are rumblings of discontent coming from the labor talks taking place on the US West Coast. As we have yet to receive any formal statements from the ILWU, we’re sifting through stories, rumors, and murmurings to try and build a clear picture of the situation to avoid unnecessary frustration like we saw...Read More
In the ocean freight industry, efficient communication and coordination play a significant role in ensuring smooth cargo movement. However, recent reports have highlighted some issues faced by shippers and carriers, including a lack of transparency and inefficient communication, leading to detention and demurrage (D&D) disputes [1][2]. At Edward J. Zarach & Associates, we understand the...Read More
In an effort to combat forced labor, Customs and Border Protection declared aluminum as the fourth product added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFPLA) which includes tomatoes, polysilicon and cotton. Though the US imports very little aluminum from China, the act is likely to mostly impact auto parts coming from the Xinjang Uyghur...Read More
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is looking into retaliation behavior by ocean carriers as they implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022. With stronger protections against retaliation and discrimination from carriers, the FMC looks to better level the playing field in 2023. “The Ocean Shipping Reform Act made it clear that it is...Read More
The United States Trade Representative has extended the Section 301 exclusions on eighty-one “COVID-related” items for another ninety days. After considering the public comments on how critical these products are in the fight against pandemic-related outbreaks, an extension was necessary. News of the Section 301 tariffs has quieted to a dull hum in the...Read More
After talking breathlessly about the possibility of a rail strike and how the world held steady under the threat thereof, the news on the logistics front dried up for a brief moment as trickles of thoughts about peak season, trans-Pacific rates, and equipment imbalances moved in separate news cyclones instead of offering a full picture...Read More
President Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) of 2022 on June 16, 2022, after it passed through Congress with bipartisan support. In a rare moment of agreement, Congress worked together to pass the OSRA, giving more power to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to investigate reports of carrier issues, misapplied fees and refusing...Read More
The United States Trade Commission has announced that it will be investigating the economic impact of Section 232 and 301 Tariffs on U.S. industries. In addition, the USTC will be holding a public hearing on the effects of these tariffs July 21, 2022. This is exciting news because this gives our industry opportunities to be...Read More
The Section 301 tariff exclusions on Chinese manufactured goods have been updated to allow exemptions on 352 of the original 549 exemptions that were initially provided. The reinstated exclusions will be retroactive back to October 12, 2021, and valid through December 31, 2022. The validation comes after a public comment period that looks into whether...Read More
