In a recent feature, Voice of the Independent dives into the logistics industry’s evolving challenges in an article titled “Riding the Waves of Change in Modern Logistics.” The article includes expert insights from Argents Express’s Tony Chiappetta, who highlights the importance of flexibility and technology in managing today’s complex supply chain landscape. According to Chiappetta,… Read more »
There’s some important news about international trade that could affect your business. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced changes to the Section 301 tariffs. These changes will unfurl over the next few years and impact trade with China. Let’s break it down in a simple way. What Are Section 301 Tariffs? Section 301 tariffs… Read more »
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued comprehensive guidance under the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). This update marks a much-needed advancement in the cosmetics regulatory framework, addressing facility registration, product listing, and compliance deadlines. Key Highlights of the New Guidance: What Does This Mean for the Industry? Businesses in the… Read more »
In the interest of fairness, Kurt Schenkemeyer should have known what to expect at Argents. His father worked in management at Lufthansa for thirty-one years and Kurt himself was a twenty-three year veteran of the industry – ten years of which he spent in friendly competition with Dagny Chiappetta as they navigated clients, conferences, and… Read more »
In July, Anaheim, California was the site of the Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit held by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Previously, this had been two separate occasions: the CBP Trade Symposium and the CTPAT Conference. They’ve evolved into a combined three day whirlwind affair focusing on the newest policies and thinking coming… Read more »
Before the pandemic, the logistics industry had a finite definition of peak season – late July through early December was the busiest period for shipping worldwide. In the post-pandemic logistical landscape, peak season became a theoretical concept to define an ephemeral spike in supply chain activity during two years of abject chaos. In fact, the… Read more »
Representatives from Argents recently attended the WCA Regional Conference, and while some normalcy has returned relative to the last two years, staffing and labor shortages were at the heart of nearly every conversation. The World Cargo Alliance operates multiple global networks of independent freight forwarders and customs brokers operating in nearly every country on the… Read more »
The South Carolina Port Authority (SCPA) is making moves to get ahead of the game. They’ve announced several key strategies they’ll be implementing to mitigate peak season disruptions and avoid the debilitating congestion the ports suffered in the early part of the year. The SCPA reports: “SC Ports has moved roughly 2.7 million TEUs thus… Read more »
In the past, when making policy, Federal Reserve officials didn’t give too much consideration to supply chain challenges. The consensus was that supply chain issues would manage themselves and the Fed would manage the economy, independent of those issues. However, that strategy could soon be changing. With a possible impending recession (though, the ATL Fed… Read more »
Finding balance in logistics is often less about finding a network loaded with divergent businesses and expertise, and more about creating a Venn diagram that carries passion, dedication, friendship, and communication in the overlay. One lesson we’ve learned at Argent’s, and try to impart each day, is that there is no substitution for a team… Read more »
Last week, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) held its annual conference in Tucson, Arizona. Our Director of Import Operations Liz Deaton was in attendance. The conference brings together customs brokers and freight forwarders from across the United States and many of the vendor partners with whom we work including software,… Read more »
The logistics of a product launch are as multifaceted, complicated, and singularly complex as the product itself. Whether it’s a fresh new item never seen on shelves or an upgrade to an old favorite we each have around the house, every launch is a unique challenge. When you can’t start over if something goes wrong,… Read more »
Effective June 21, 2022 the US will no longer allow imports coming in from the XUAR (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) region of China. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed on December 23, 2021 by President Biden to mitigate the importation of goods made in whole or part, mined, assembled, or created in the… Read more »
