Tim Hotze, Senior Vice President of Target, shared the company's supply chain strategies at the SMC3 Connections conference, addressing uncertainties in global trade and tariffs. His insights included diversifying global sourcing, adopting flexible manufacturing strategies, and integrating transportation planning with product design, highlighting how to maintain competitiveness amidst changes.
This article provides an overview of the main types of export documents in foreign trade and their functions, including the General Certificate of Origin (CO), FORM A, FORM E, FORM F, and FORM L. It emphasizes their importance and applicability in international trade to facilitate export processes and reduce tariffs.
The HS code is a crucial tool in cross-border logistics, assisting customs in identifying goods, ensuring compliance, and determining tariffs. This article provides a detailed overview of the structure, core functions, querying methods, and common mistakes related to HS codes, emphasizing their importance and complexity in cross-border customs clearance.
Despite facing high tariffs and the termination of China's cargo exemption policy, global air cargo demand in May still grew by 2.2% year-on-year, with strong performance across several routes. IATA pointed out that the industry's resilience indicates an ability to continue adapting to the changing international trade environment.
The LTL market in 2025 faces challenges from tariffs and market uncertainties, with the top 25 transportation companies experiencing a 1.3% decline in revenue. Experts advise operators to avoid price competition and focus on enhancing efficiency in order to prepare for the upcoming NMFC classification changes and a potential wave of bankruptcies.
Temu and TikTok Shop are reshaping the shipping market with their respective cross-border logistics strategies. Temu utilizes a low-cost fulfillment network suitable for large items, while TikTok optimizes social e-commerce through a content-driven and flexible warehousing and distribution model. Both have their advantages but face challenges from changing tariffs.
The US Services PMI unexpectedly contracted in May, ending a 10-month expansion, with a significant drop in new orders raising concerns about an economic downturn. Industry divergence is apparent, with tariffs and uncertainty being major challenges. Close attention should be paid to subsequent data, and proactive measures need to be taken.
Maersk has launched the 'Maersk Trade & Tariff Studio' platform to help businesses navigate the complexities of global tariffs and trade regulations. The platform offers features such as a tariff calculator, trade insights, and expert consulting, enabling companies to ensure compliance, optimize costs, and maintain a competitive edge in the ever-changing landscape of international trade.
The Logistics Manager's Index (LMI) showed strong performance in June, reaching 60.7, indicating a recovery trend in the industry. Inventory levels have risen due to increased tariffs, while transportation and warehousing capacities have declined. Despite optimistic short-term growth, long-term market demand remains uncertain, and future trade policies will significantly impact the entire sector.
When importing complete sets of mechanical equipment, it is essential to pay attention to tariffs and value-added tax rates, ensuring the accuracy of the declared price and customs codes. Additionally, consistency in nameplate information and compliance with inspection procedures is crucial. After assembly and debugging at the usage location, passing customs acceptance is required before production can commence.
