U.S. containerized import volume jumped 15.1 percent year-over-year in March 2014, the largest increase in 13 months, according to advance figures from PIERS, the data division of JOC Group Inc., dated 15 April 2014 by Journal of Commerce
US Signs Free Trade Agreements with Panama and Dominican Republic
The US has recently signed Free Trade Agreements with both Panama and Dominican Republic providing new and numerous benefits to US exporters. The Caribbean region is the 3rd largest export market for US manufactured goods, behind only Mexico and Brazil. Contact Lindsay Barich at 781-961-3540 to learn more how Unitrans Worldwide, Inc. can assist your company export products to the Caribbean market!
High Security Seals Required
Effective 1 March 2012, the current International Organization for Standardization (ISO)’s mechanical seal standard will be replaced with a new ISO standard — ISO 17712:2010. The benefits of the new seal standards include 1) a reduced possibility of cargo theft; 2) reduced shipping delays that result when seals are broken or missing; and 3) increased detection of comprised or tampered seals.
Mexico Will Soon Institute the Mandatory Advanced Cargo Data Requirement
The Mexican government will soon begin testing of their new electronic requirements for advance cargo data for departing and arriving flights. Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT) which oversees the customs operations of Mexico is working with airlines and forwarders on a new system that will move toward electronic clearance of cargo.
Representatives for most all of the airlines serving Mexico have had meetings with SAT and are working with them currently on testing their systems with the Mexican government. Mandatory advance electronic data for import and export is expected to be required sometime during 2011.
To find out more about the SAT requirements and frequently asked questions go to the technical information bulletin section of their website at
http://www.aduanas.sat.gob.mx/aduana_mexico/2008/sala_prensa/158_18792.html
Government Military Sub-Contract Awarded
Unitrans is now a transport sub-contractor to the US Army and Navy Services. We provide the transportation of military machinery to domestic military defense installations via domestic trucking and through imports from the UK. The domestic machinery is staged at the military installations for the delivery to war zones. The military awarded Unitrans as a sub-contractor over other competitors due to their satisfaction with the personalized customer service and detailed follow-up that Unitrans provides.
Attention all Importers!
There are 2 expected increases that will affect upcoming ocean import costs.
The first increase is the General Rate Increase (GRI) that will occur in May. The increase will affect the cost of goods coming to the United States from Asia. Depending on the carrier, the cost of a 20 foot container will raise to $300-400, and the cost of a 40 ft container will increase to around $600.
The second increase is the Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) which will go in to effect in June.
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