Rates Matter Most

Reliability ranks second in survey of shippers’ criteria for carriers by Bill Armbruster, blog anchor Last month we did a survey asking what matters most to shippers when they choose an ocean carrier. Rates ranked as the top priority, garnering 41% of the votes,...

Santa Snagged by Red Tape

Customs problems could prevent traditional, down-the-chimney deliveries by Peter Quinter, guest columnist Well, I just wanted to let you all know that Santa may not be coming this year to deliver all those wonderful holiday gifts. Because of incorrect Incoterms and...

Rates Are Running First…

… but there’s still time to weigh in on what matters most to shippers by Bill Armbruster, blog anchor “Rates are the golden fleece. It determines whether or not you will be awarded a piece of business,” comments one respondent in our survey on top considerations for...

Free Report: Fresh Grapes from Peru

Datamyne Tops in Trade Report covers a leading source for U.S. wintertime grapes As the U.S. moves into winter, imports of grapes and other fresh fruits shift into high gear. As noted in Fresh from the Southern Hemisphere, most U.S. imported fresh grapes come from...

What Shippers Want

What matters most to shippers when they choose an ocean carrier?   By Bill Armbruster   Below is a list of 10 criteria, in no particular order, that may affect a shipper’s choice of ocean carrier. I would like to know which you think are most important. So, please,...

Fresh from the Southern Hemisphere

South America starts shipping grapes to the winter-bound north The season has just begun, but forecasters are projecting a bumper crop of fruit exports from South America, led by grapes. Grapes are the second-ranked (by value) fruit import in the U.S. (Bananas top the...

ITA for the Chopping Block?

Billing beneficiaries for trade promotion could save $1.6 billion through 2014 Charge the beneficiaries for the cost of the International Trade Administration’s trade promotion activities -- that’s Number 36 in the list of ideas for government cost-cutting from the...

It’s Not Easy Being Green

Your eco-friendly, reusable shopping bag may be loaded with lead Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) yesterday called on federal agencies to police reusable shopping bags that contain unacceptably high levels of lead, getting out ahead of a story that’s been developing for...