Monday, December 31, 2012
Global Trade: Year in Review
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
A Brief History of Piracy Volume 1
Monday, December 3, 2012
Activity Codes
There are many different activity codes associated with US Customs bonds. Most of these bonds are activity code 1, the importer bond; however, the other types of Customs bonds play an interesting role in global trade.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Montana by Horseback
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Foreign Trade Zones FTZ
What is a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)?
Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) are areas granted a special status by the Foreign Trade Zone board. Within the boundaries of a Foreign Trade Zone, goods imported from another country can be stored without being subjected to Customs duties until entered into the commerce of the United States.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Winter Just Happened
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Hurricane Sandy
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Customs Bond Processing: Lead Time
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
What is ACE?
Friday, October 12, 2012
Global Trade Trends Vol 2
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Country of Origin Marking
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Yellowstone National Park

Friday, September 21, 2012
Liquidation Information
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wishing for Winter
It’s not often that Montanans look forward to winter.
Usually there’s no need to look forward to it because it’s always just behind the bend. A popular Montana idiom is that we ordinarily enjoy about 9 months of winter and 3 months of bad skiing.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Valuation
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Liquidated Damages
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Supplemental Duty Bills Explained
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Customs Bond Penalties Explained
Friday, August 24, 2012
Inspection Tech
Monday, August 20, 2012
Panama Canal Will Graduate to Three Lanes
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Montana Ski Areas
Monday, August 13, 2012
Customs Bonds 101 Questions and Answers Vol 2
Friday, August 10, 2012
Marine Cargo Insurance
Monday, August 6, 2012
Montana Red Flag Warnings
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Top 5 Importing Mistakes
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Customs Bonds 101 Questions and Answers Vol 1
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Merchandise Processing Fee Error
Monday, July 23, 2012
Supply Chain Management Tips
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Camping in Montana
Monday, July 16, 2012
Merchandise Processing Fee Increased
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Import Support
Monday, July 9, 2012
Montana Pastimes with TRG

Friday, July 6, 2012
Customs Duties Revisited
Monday, July 2, 2012
Montana Wildfires Still Raging
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Customs Duties Deconstructed
What are Customs duties?
There are many different duties U.S. Customs and Border Protection may require an importer to pay. Some are related to the origins of the goods in question, and some to the goods themselves. It’s always a good idea for importers to keep a working knowledge of what these duties are, what they affect, and how.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
What is a Supply Chain?
Monday, June 18, 2012
Surety Bond Types
Friday, June 15, 2012
Customs Bond Processing
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Montana Weather
Friday, June 1, 2012
Customs Compliance: C-TPAT
The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, affectionately known as C-TPAT, is a program US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched in order to better protect Americans, while still facilitating trade to the fullest extent possible.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Global Trade Trends
Friday, May 18, 2012
Montana Meet Approaches
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Montana Hiking Hotspots
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Import Compliance
Monday, May 7, 2012
FDA
The U.S. government has created various programs that allow for fair and safe trade.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
The International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)
The ICPA is a tight-knit group of 2,000+ members of the trade community.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Customs Bond Underwriting
There are a few answers to those questions—some are industry-specific, and some are agency-specific. Let’s start with the first and most general question, What is underwriting?
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Montana Hot Springs
Friday, April 20, 2012
Discover your US Customs Bond
At TRG, we believe in the power of education and relish the opportunity to share our specialized knowledge with others. The only thing we enjoy more than sharing knowledge is sharing valuable knowledge.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
5 Tips for ISF Success
Friday, April 13, 2012
Anti Dumping Education
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
What is ISF?
Developments in national security protocol have introduced a host of requirements importers must fulfill One of these requirements is Importer Security Filing (ISF) and Additional Carrier Requirements, also known as 10+2.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
HTS Codes and HS Codes
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Montana Playground
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Port to Port?
Questions often arise in relation to marine insurance. At first, the terms relating to this niche product may seem complicated, but in reality, there is very little ambiguity.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Reminder: Map Your Supply Chain!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Summer Fun in the Rocky Mountains
Friday, March 2, 2012
Are Single Entry Bonds Cost Effective?
Friday, February 24, 2012
Trade Barometer: The Baltic Dry Index
The Baltic Dry Index is an amalgamation of shipping costs calculated by international shipping brokers. It is seen by many investors and stock traders as an economic barometer, informing their financial decisions by providing information on the strength of demand for global trade. The index provides a sense of the global economy’s pulse, contrasting the amount of cargo space on shipping vessels with the demand for that space. Because new ships are a substantial investment, there are very few built every year, and therefore the amount of cargo space remains relatively static. The BDI contrasts the (mostly unvarying) variable of cargo space with its demand. Throughout history, the BDI has fluctuated significantly. For example, in 2008 the Baltic Dry Index fell over 90%, from its all-time high of over 11,000 to less than 700. Although it has rebounded since then, it hasn’t come close to its pre-2008 numbers. This year, it dipped to a new all-time low, indicating that shipping demand must have dropped considerably from years past.
This seems to correlate with some recent global events. Greece is on fire; the streets are littered with glass and protestors. Vital oceanic routes are under threat of being blocked in some parts of the world. These, along with countless other factors likely contributed to the BDI’s latest drop. A wave of uncertainty regarding the future of shipping and global commerce has swept across the market, and it shows in the BDI. Just as with any dip in an economic barometer, some see doom, and some see a window of opportunity. It is up to the reader to decipher the information, and decide what it really means to them. Regardless of the perspective one might take, keeping an eye on the Baltic Dry Index makes it possible to keep watch over the broader pulse of international trade, and stay informed on what the future may hold.
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Monday, February 13, 2012
U.S. Customs Bond Basics for Importers
Very few importers are aware of why they need a Customs Bond, or what the bond actually does. Simply put, a U.S. Customs Bond is a document that Customs & Border Protection (CBP) require all importers of record to have. If an importer does not have the bond, they will not be able to take their goods from the port of entry. CBP will hold the goods until the importer attains the Customs Bond. The importer will then be subject to the associated fines or penalties for importing without a Customs Bond.
Most Customs Bonds are filed as Import Bonds. This document acts as a financial guaranty between the Insurance/Surety company issuing the Customs Bond, the Importer of Record, and CBP. The Import Bond provides a guarantee to CBP that they will collect import duties, taxes, fines or penalties, if not from the importer then from the insurance/surety company who issued the bond. To explain further, CBP requires all importers to file an Import Bond in order to clear their entries, even if the goods are duty free.
Whether you know it or not; if you are importing, you have a Customs Bond. The size of your bond requirement is dependent on the dollar amount of imports that you are receiving, and the rate at which they are taxed. For example, the smallest and most common Customs Bond is a $50,000 bond. $50,000 is in no way reflective to the price of the bond, rather it refers to a percentage of the amount of duties and taxes associated with receiving the imports. This bond amount will suffice for imports requiring up to $500,000 in duties and taxes, which equals a rough estimation of about 5 million dollars of goods imported. To explain further—let's say on an annual basis you import 1 million dollars worth of goods. Associated with these imports are roughly $100,000 in duties and taxes. The $50,000 importer bond will be sufficient.
It is essential for importers to become familiar with their Customs Bond. This knowledge will prove particularly beneficial in situations where the volume of imports increases or decreases from year to year. An informed importer will be able to determine what size bond they need on file to cover those imports, and they will avoid any penalties or overcharges that they may incur for having a bond that is not of the appropriate size.
Check back later for more U.S Customs Bond Basics for importers. Here, knowledge about your Customs Bond is IMPORTant!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Our Fun Loving Northeasterly Neighbor, Bridger Bowl
Skiing in the Montana Rockies is an inimitable experience because of the mountain range’s unique geography. An arid climate, frigid weather, and sizable distance from the coastline combine forces to form Montana’s legendary “cold smoke” snow, as it is known to locals and visitors. This snow is not like other snow, in the sense that it is almost lighter than air and is resistant to clumping up and packing. The result is an unparalleled experience of gliding through a cloud while only tentatively attached to the ground beneath. Most people are helplessly addicted to the Montana Rockies after their first ride through these fabled snowflakes.
Bridger Bowl is a non-profit ski area, which means that money collected by the organization goes straight back into its infrastructure and expansion. The latest territorial addition is accessed by the Schlasman’s lift, which leads to a section of the mountain that had long been off-limits to pass holders. It offers expert terrain, slope angles as extreme as anyone could ask for, and of course, plenty of deep powder. If Bridger’s terrain isn’t enough draw, the family atmosphere is more than enough excuse to get up there. From the ski school classes to the bustling Jim Bridger Lodge and Deer Park Chalet, Bridger Bowl exudes a sense of community uncommon in other mountain resorts.
That is why several of our employees have returned to this mountain year after year, since their childhood. I have personally enjoyed racing down the slopes of Bridger Bowl since I was three years old, and I am not alone in my love for Bridger Bowl here at TRG. On a given powder day, you might see just about any TRG employee spending one of their personal days amongst the glistening trees and snow-capped mountain peaks.
We are lucky to be located where we are, and we don’t take it for granted. Esprit de Corps is one of TRG’s 8 Core Values, and being part of Bozeman and Bridger Bowl’s communities is definitely being part of something special. The spirit of community and adventure are omnipresent here, and we gladly take part every day.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Headn’ South for a Good Ole’ ICPA
2012 Conference: Atlanta, Georgia: March 18th – 22nd Click here to register!
Sessions Range From: ACE, Achieving Consistent HTS Classifications, Ask the Legal Eagles, Avoiding Import Mistakes, Broker Management, Internal Compliance, Export Audits, Incoterms
2013 Conference: Honolulu, Hawaii
Spread the word! Visit http://icpainc.org/ to learn more and become a member!
TRG is a proud sponsor of the International Compliance Professionals Association.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
60 Degree Harmonized Tariff Schedule Education
Internal Auditing: The importer of record is responsible for providing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with the correct HTS classification on all import entries and/or ISF filings. It is important to introduce or maintain procedures that result in accurate information concerning your products. Innovated technologies allow the importer to refrain from relying on third parties to presume the HTS classifications on your behalf. Your company could be over extending import related costs each year by paying a higher tariff rate than required. CBP regards the importer’s HTS compliance seriously enough that the revenue collection agency will fine the importer for paying too much in CBP duty per import!
Proactive Evaluation: HTS codes are continually changing to allow for new product innovations and technology. Governments worldwide evaluate new revenue sources and seek to balance their trade with other countries. U.S. HTS codes are created with an expiration date to allow for updates. Because of this, it is important to consistently evaluate the validity of the codes that you are filing with. This ongoing internal compliance project should be reviewed at minimum, on an annual basis.
Helpful Hint: Filing a Post-Entry Amendment (PEA) prior to entry liquidation or an administrative protest post liquidation will allow you to fix HTS classification mistakes. It is recommended that these are completed quarterly. Click here to see a sample PEA.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Gallatin County: Forging our Future
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit organization that has been working hard for generations to make sure children and young adults don’t have to grow up without the vital influence of friendship. This goal is accomplished with the assistance of ordinary, yet extraordinary people who are willing to put forth the effort to make a difference in someone’s life. Big Brothers Big Sisters started its own life almost a century ago as two separate entities, both determined to help children in need of guidance and friendship. In 1979, these organizations joined forces to form Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. By the time of the merger, the combined reach of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America included 357 agencies, all dedicated to befriending and mentoring young people.
A good mentor has the potential to permanently change a person’s life for the better. The efforts of mentors in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program have positively affected countless lives throughout the organization’s history. Whether it’s playing catch, riding bikes, reading books, or offering an open ear to share hopes and fears, Bigs (as they are called in the program) provide an irreplaceable influence in the lives of our nation’s young people.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin Valley is the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters here in Bozeman, Montana where TRG is based. Just like every other BBBS office in the country, they offer an unparalleled experience for less fortunate young people. It’s not uncommon to see Big Brothers and Big Sisters out on the ski slopes or hiking through Montana’s resplendent outdoor trails, providing opportunities that would most likely never have been extended otherwise.
January is national mentoring month, and BBBS is always in need of donations and volunteers. Becoming a mentor is not a particularly difficult process for people who are willing and able to contribute their time and attention to someone in need. Donating money or items for matched pairs of young people and their mentors to use in activities is even easier. Something as seemingly insignificant as a baseball glove, a set of movie tickets, or a bookshelf can be infinitely helpful in the lives of young people. Fundraisers like “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” are another enjoyable way to participate in or donate to an exceptional organization and an extraordinary cause. Trade Risk Guaranty supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin Valley because of the positive impact they have on the entire community and its future.
Young people will grow up to rule the world—with the help of organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters they will have a better chance to meet their full potential. Responsible Citizenship is one of TRG’s Eight Core Values, and it is perfectly reflected in the values of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Keep up the good work Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin Valley, we’re with you. Here’s to another century of success.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Where the ‘Cool Kids’ will be in 2012
By Kelby Woodard
The year 2011 will undoubtedly go down in the record books as an uneventful one for the global supply chain, which was exactly what most of us were looking for after the economic tumult of the previous few years. In regards to supply chain security, however, we should be prepared for a very interesting 2012. A few events in 2011 point to a very fun year if you like a little excitement with your supply chain.
By far the most interesting event of 2011 was the ‘Occupy the Ports’ movement. These misguided protestors intended to shut down the West Coast ports and bring attention to the supposed harm our global supply chain inflicts on the American economy. Fortunately, the immediate effect on the movement of goods was negligible to slightly annoying. The biggest winner in these protests was the security teams in the ports, who were fully prepared and acted in a highly professional and effective manner. The plans and procedures implemented in the years following September 11th were vital during these protests. I predict that the ‘occupy’ movement will continue to try to convince Americans that the global supply chain does not in fact create jobs, or help keep inflation in check, or actually create prosperity. As a result, the actions of the Occupy movement in 2012 could prove to be interesting for those of us who thrive on solving complex supply chain security problems.
Wal-Mart recently revealed that they are conducting an internal investigation focused on possible violations to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). When the world’s largest commercial supply chain publically recognizes that it may have issues with corruption and fraud at high levels, you can bet it will be headline news in 2012. That in turn will mean a renewed focus on ensuring the integrity of every supply chain operation. In case you think only the mighty are affected, take a look at what happened at Fry’s Electronics in 2011. Former Fry’s executive Ausaf Siddiqui was sentenced to six years in prison for receiving over $65 million in kickbacks from vendors. Siddiqui was a highly respected sourcing executive and was able to perpetrate his crimes over many years. Is it surprising that with the billions of dollars being spent on commercial supply chains that no one may be tempted to earn more than their fair share? With a little focus on the part of supply chain security teams, more similar revelations are likely to manifest themselves in 2012.
Finally, there is China. The Conference Board (one of the most prominent business forecasting organizations in the world) predicts China’s economic growth will gradually slow to 3.5% from 2017 to 2025. While that may not sound too catastrophic, anything less than a 9% growth rate in China will inevitably result in social instability. After trillions of stimulus dollars spent by the Chinese government (that may sound familiar), the flexibility to respond to economic downturns will be extremely limited in the coming decade. We may witness the slow decline of China’s preeminence in global trade beginning in 2012. The result would not only have a tremendous impact on the global economy, it may also shift significant supply chain risk to the ‘world’s factory’.
That’s why the ‘cool kids’ will be hanging out in supply chain security in 2012.
All Rights Reserved--Trade Innovations, Inc. 2012