Incoterms 2010 simplify the rules by Bill Armbruster Incoterms are a vitally important component of international trade. They are an internationally recognized set of terms that define which party in a transaction is responsible for arranging transportation and...
Trade association marks 45th year with a party at old Merchant’s House in NYC If you’re in the New York metro area, the networking cocktail reception at the Merchant’s House, Wednesday, October 6, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., is a good opportunity to get together with...
Prepare a checklist to make sure you ask the right questions By Bill Armbruster Picking a freight forwarder that’s right for you can be one of the most crucial decisions you make as an exporter. That applies whether you are a beginner or a veteran looking to make a...
Most cargo thefts occur in transit By Bill Armbruster What’s the annual cost of cargo theft in the U.S.? Estimates range from less than $2 billion to $30 billion. There are several reasons for that huge disparity. They include the lack of a national database and the...
Cargo insurance can be a life preserver for shippers By Bill Armbruster There’s a big hurricane, and you learn that some containers have been blown off a ship. Suddenly you have a sinking feeling. Your container was on that ship! You share your woes with another...
Booking blues, box shortages and soaring rates plague shippers By Bill Armbruster Remember the good old days – like this time last year -- when container carriers were putting up “For Sale” signs all over the place? Well, these days shippers are more likely to see...
Why exporting is outside many companies’ comfort zone By Bill Armbruster The results are in, and the risks have it. 37 people responded to the question in my last blog about the biggest obstacle to exporting. The results were: 4 Fear of the unknown 2 The credit crunch...
The surge in imports may be a triumph of hope over reality. By Bill Armbruster Have U.S. importers been too optimistic about growth prospects in the U.S. this year? I think so — and I think that helps explain why there such was a mad scramble for container space out...
Coping with capacity shortages and rising rates By Bill Armbruster The Problems: • Shippers are facing severe shortages of vessel capacity. Even some who have booked shipments weeks in advance and who are regular customers have had their containers “rolled” at the...
