Rate of Exchange – The rate of currency exchange established daily as the buying rate of foreign currency by the Federal Reserve Bank. The daily rate is used only when it varies by more than 5% from the quarterly rate. When applicable, the daily rate is the rate that is certified on the day of exportation.
Shipper’s Export Declaration – A form that is required by the Treasury Department and completed by the shipper showing the value, weight, consignee, destination, etc. of export shipments as well as the Schedule B identification number.
Temporary Import – Exhibition material whose temporary import status exempts payment of duties and taxes on arrival.
Temporary Import Bond/Deposit (TIB) – Articles that are not imported for sale, admitted into the US on a temporary basis without the payment of duty, under bond for their exportation.
TIR Carnet – Similar to an ATA Carnet, but used for trucks from Non-EC Countries. Can be used for different unloading locations. The truck(s) must be sealed by Customs.
VAT – Value Added Tax. VAT applies to all EC countries, Switzerland and other countries around the world. The percentage applies to CIF value and duties and the percentage differs from one country to another. Local VAT on forwarding/handling services is not charged between ECE companies with a registered VAT number or to non-EC exhibitors on condition the local forwarder executes Customs clearance and transport.
Thanks for checking out our blog! If you have any shipping questions or if there's anything you'd like to see featured on our blog, don't forget to leave a comment and let us know. We'll be sure to answer your questions in one of our next blog posts!
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I am leaving TWI after 7 wonderful years and would just like to tell you a little bit about this small company with a big spirit. My experience with TWI has not been just “a job” but truly a life altering and life improving experience — professionally, personally and even romantically!
I met my husband at TWI -- he was in the cubicle next door -- and we celebrated our 5 year anniversary last August. On a personal level, I need only look at my Facebook account to see the many colleagues, clients, and overseas agents who have now become real friends all over the world. They have chased boxes and have argued/begged/pleaded with Customs with me, they have made miracles happen and celebrated (like only those in the tradeshow business can) when that crate made it to the booth just in time.
Professionally, TWI has allowed me to see the world and learn how to problem solve in a variety of cultures and situations. Success at TWI means being able to critically think and knowing the importance of following through on commitments. It means representing a family and employee-owned business where everyone has a stake in the success of not just TWI, but all the companies whose products and services we help promote. Whether it’s a large Fortune 500 company or a starter company exhibiting at their first show, a successful show for our exhibitors is a successful show for every employee at TWI.
TWI is company where our executives don’t just have signs that tout an open-door policy, they practice it everyday. No matter what position you are in, you can always go to Steve or Greg to ask for help, voice dissent or simply to talk. Although I know their time is precious, they never make you feel as if it’s too precious to spend with you. As many TWI employees can attest to, if you are willing to learn and to try, then you will always have the support of this company’s leadership.
TWI is a company that has made my life better in a great many ways and I am so thankful to have had this amazing experience and to have learned so much along the way. I will take those lessons learned with me to the State Department and use them every day in my professional and personal life. I’m truly proud to have been a part of something so great.
-- by Wendy Dowling, former Sales Representative at TWI Group, Inc., the premiere specialist in international tradeshow logistics. To find out how TWI Group can help with your upcoming tradeshow shipments, please call our Las Vegas Headquarters at 702.691.9000.
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Are you planning to ship freight to Mexico? Do you want to simplify the process, maybe make it a little easier?
Well on May 16 of this year Mexico became the 2nd Latin American country to accept ATA Carnets, the “merchandise passports” honored in some 80 countries and customs territories, according to the United States Council for International Business (USCIB), which issues and guarantees the internationally recognized customs documents in the U.S. Chile became the 1st Latin American country to accept them in 2005.
Carnets are accepted for: Commercial Samples, Exhibitions and Fairs, and Professional Equipment.
Mexico is the United States’ second-largest export market and third-largest trading partner overall. Top U.S. exports to Mexico include electrical machinery; vehicles; auto parts; plastics; aircraft and aircraft parts. Until recently, Mexico and other Latin American countries were not a part of the international Carnet system, which originated in Europe in 1961. Mexico’s acceptance of ATA Carnets opens the region to this innovative and valuable service.
Worldwide, more than 160,000 Carnets are issued every year, accounting for hundreds of thousands of customs declarations and covering goods with a total value of over $20 billion (U.S.). The Carnet system is overseen by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the World Customs Organization.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
• Carnet goods will be allowed to stay in Mexico for a period of six months and may request an extension for an additional 6 months. Requests for extensions must be received by the Mexican Customs office at least 14 days prior to the Carnet expiration date.
• Carnets entering Mexico must be registered before arrival. For details contact your TWI representative.
• Only the following ports in Mexico are authorized to handle ATA Carnets. For full port details contact your TWI representative.
o Tijuana
o Juarez
o Nuevo Laredo
o Altamira
o Veracruz
o Manzanillo
o Monterrey
o Guadalajara
o Cancún
o México City Airport
For more information on Carnets:
http://www.twiglobal.com/services/carnet-services.html
Upcoming Exhibitions in Mexico:
Aeroxchange Annual Conference 2012 February 28 – March 01, 2012 – Cancun
Expo Seguridad México 2012 April 24 – 26, 2012 – Mexico City
Expo AMPIMM 2012 June 13 - 16, 2012 - Mexico City
-- by Janice Cooper, Sales Support Representative at TWI Group, Inc., the premiere specialist in international tradeshow logistics. To contact Janice, or to find out how TWI Group can help with your upcoming tradeshow shipments, please call our Las Vegas Headquarters at 702.691.9000.
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Getting shipments to a foreign country is challenging enough, and the last thing event managers need to worry about is solving problems that could have been avoided with a little foresight. Dotting the i's and crossing the t's before a shipment is loaded onto the plane can go a long way toward making the shipping process a painless one for everyone. Here are a few common pitfalls that should be avoided.
PLANNING TOO LATE
Planning early for international even shipment always helps in the long run, according to TWI sales representative Marianne Giddens. Knowing what type of show event properties are being shipped to, and what country they are being held in can help shipping partners identify red flags immediately. For example, you can't bring medical equipment to medical shows in South America without a permit -- a key point that should be addressed early on.
"Some clients don't understand how important the paperwork is. With TWI behind the scenes, we deal with the headaches and not sleeping because things aren't going through customs so our clients don't -- that's why they use us," Giddens says.
OVERLOOKING TIMEFRAMES
The reality is that the timeframes for getting this work done are getting tighter and tighter. The key to smooth international shipping for events is keeping your teams informed, both internally and externally.
"Every event manager knows their game plan for the out years, where they will be going for events and when they are happening. We keep our freight forwarders aware of schedules as soon as we're able to publish that, if it's not proprietary to the company. It's something we want them to know early on. The more people you can keep informed up fron, that's certainly the key," says Lockheed Martin event manager Len Rizzo.
CRATING
Packaging and crating is an international exhibitor's first responsibility; a good rule of thumb is to package event properties as if you are packing your own personal property. If you wouldn't feel right shipping something valuable in your brand's crates, it's time to reassess how you're doing things.
Crates need to protect and have some survivability if dropped. Remember, a lot of unseen people will be handling your shipments, and you're not in control of your freight at all times.
INVENTORY
Providing a proper, detailed description of everything on a shipment's commercial invoice is critical. While you may know your brand's products and properties by name alone, a product name on an invoice means nothing to customs officials. Provide detailed information on what's being shipped to avoid a headache.
"It will make it easier clearing customs. Sometimes clients will toss in some small extra items in a shipment without listing them on the commercial in voice. If it does get pulled for inspection, it can create problems, even for something as small as an extra power cord," Giddens says.
Having a proper inventory of what you're sending and making sure it's all accounted for can help solve these types of issues. "We like to get our clients' commercial invoice in advance so we can go through it and catch any problems on the front end," Giddens says.
DON'T ASSUME
Drew Camier, Station Manager with TWI's New York office, says the best shipping advice for event managers is don't assume anything. "Especially shipping overseas. If you think you know it, you don't. Customs regulations overseas change on a week-to-week basis. Just because you ship to one place over and over doesn't mean it will stay the same moving forward. There are no slam dunk shipments any more," Camier says.
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As we mentioned in our last International Shipping 101 post here: (Shipping Terms A-F), we know all the lingo thrown around when shipping international freight can sometimes be confusing. Following are explanations of some of those tricky terms, beginning with letters E through P:
EC – European Community
Export License – A permit required to engage in the export of certain commodities to certain destinations. Lists of such goods are found in the comprehensive Export Schedules issued by the Bureau of Foreign Commerce.
Foodstuff/Edibles – Imports are subject to sanitary/veterinary health certificates. Live animals and/or plants may be quarantined.
Fumigation – Required in some countries for live plants and wooden packaging.
GST – Goods and services taxes.
Harmonized System – International commodity description and classification referencing system. Formerly known as Schedule B.
Ocean Bill of Lading – A receipt for cargo and a contract for transportation between a shipper and the ocean carrier.
Permanent Import – In case of sales, with payment of duties and VAT, or in case of free distribution, disposable or consumables are usually exempt from payment of duties and VAT depending on each country. The quantity and value exempted at discretion of Customs authorities.
Pier Demurrage – A charge that is assessed when the container is removed from the carrier’s control and is not returned within the allowable free time.
Power of Attorney (POA) – A “grant of authority” from the principal (importer) to the agent (broker) to perform certain acts on the principal’s behalf. A Power of Attorney is required by a broker to perform those activities, defined as “Customs business,” on behalf and in the name of a principal.
Prohibited Cargo – Goods restricted by International Convention. Also refers to drugs, weapons and ammunitions.
Stayed tuned to our blog for more "International Shipping 101" posts coming soon. And if you have any shipping questions or if there's anything you'd like to see featured on our blog, don't forget to leave a comment and let us know. We'll be sure to answer your questions in one of our next blog posts!
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