Argents’ history is rooted in customs brokerage and at no time has there been greater importance placed upon the role of the agency in the facilitation of legitimate trade. Argents works with air, sea and land ports of entry as well as multiple Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE’s) to speed merchandise through Customs as well as any of the dozens of participating government agencies exercising jurisdiction over imported goods.
Liz Deaton, Argents’ Director of Import Operations has been with the company since 2003, but her experience in the industry predates that an additional decade. Her knowledge of air and ocean processes as well as the regulations means that Argents’ customers have some who understands both the practical and theoretical, marrying the two to successfully keep cargo moving through supply chains. Her best advice to new companies starting out is to proactively develop and implement a compliance plan – don’t wait for CBP to find it as a deficiency because the time and cost of remediating will eclipse the savings of putting it in place early.
The proper classification and valuation of merchandise is the first and most important step in ensuring an uninterrupted flow of goods from manufacturer to final consignee.
Whether requesting a binding ruling, researching and determining classification using the Explanatory Notes and General Rules of Interpretation or prevailing on a protest, Argents invests the time during client onboarding to ensure compliance and identify risk or exposure from previous transactions.
As an experienced customs broker, Argents is well-versed in the regulations governing valuation at the time of entry and can work with clients to determine transaction or computed value or whether or not there are parties between the buyer and seller adding value that can legitimately be removed to work backwards to a first sale price.
The classification of merchandise requires an engineer’s knowledge of product specifications, a salesperson’s awareness of its end use and a qualified customs broker’s knowledge of potential exposure for marking, antidumping, trade remedy or required PGA release.
Once a classification has been determined, there are limited options to avoid paying the proscribed duties that are due. Whether ad valorem based on value and classification or subject to flat trade remedy percentages, presenting the lowest permitted entered value is an importer’s best tool to keep their landed costs as low as possible.
Customs and Border Protection and dozens of federal agencies have jurisdiction over what can and cannot be entered into the commerce of the United States. Whether for reasons of protecting American agriculture, protecting American consumers or preventing criminal organizations from profiting on forced labor or counterfeit goods, trust Argents to secure the release of your imported goods.
The increasing focus placed on product safety for pandemic medical items and the prevention of imports of products made with forced labor mean that importers increasingly need to work more closely with their customs broker to safely navigate the increasing layers of scrutiny on foreign-made products.
Section 301 duties imposed on exports from China and trade remedy duties on products of European countries and elsewhere mean that typical commercial shipments bound for the United States for warehousing and fulfillment could be subject to significant double-digit duties upon arrival.
A legitimate exception is made for shipments bound for named consumers when shipped to the United States. The de minimis exception of up to $800 per person, per day, is how many online marketplaces and e-Commerce sellers keep their prices low, remain competitive and stave off having their goods copied and private branded by larger competitors.
Section 321 entries are most often utilized when there is a direct sale between a foreign seller and a US buyer. Argents can collect consolidated shipments at origin, present them to Customs upon arrival and then inject them into the final mile delivery provider of the client’s choosing.
A Type 86 entry is identical to a Section 321 entry, but with more data, including a third party seller if one exists. Shipments that require the release of a participating government agency like FDA must be filed as a Type 86, even if below the de minimus value threshold.
It wouldn’t be an understatement to say the past week’s threats and near-imposition of double-digit duties on Canada and Mexico would have upended North American trade. Unable or unwilling to reach an agreement, at 12:01 AM ET on Tuesday, February 4th, goods of both China and Hong Kong country of origin were subject to an… Read more »
Today, efficient inventory management is critical for businesses striving to meet rising customer expectations and adapt to global supply chain complexities. Advanced technologies are redefining how inventory is tracked, managed, and optimized, offering unparalleled benefits for freight forwarders and their clients. Digitalization has paved the way for transformative tools like real-time tracking, automated systems, and… Read more »
UPDATED 1/9/2025 – ILA and USMX Reach Tentative Agreement! The ILA and USMX have reached a tentative six-year master contract agreement, averting the East and Gulf Coast port strike scheduled for January 15, 2025. The deal protects jobs while promoting technological advancements to modernize and expand port capacity. Pending ratification, the agreement ensures continuity in… Read more »
Year in Review: 2024 saw significant global trade and logistics changes, driven by shifting tariffs, stricter trade compliance measures, and growing tensions around port automation. Importers faced increasing pressure to adapt to these challenges while maintaining efficient supply chains. As we approach 2025, businesses must stay informed and proactive to navigate these developments. Tariffs and… Read more »
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), has intensified its enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). With the addition of 29 new entities to the UFLPA Entity List, the total now stands at 107. These companies, primarily based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC),… Read more »
Seamless Integration: The Key to Exceptional Customer Experiences In today’s fast-paced logistics landscape, effective warehouse operations are more than just a backend function—they are critical to delivering exceptional customer service. At Argents Express, we understand that smooth communication and synchronized processes between our warehouses and customer-facing teams are essential to meeting and exceeding customer expectations…. Read more »
