Nic Arters Director, Star USA As our Star USA team ramps up to next year, I can’t help but reflect on the trade compliance landscape of 2025. The global trade landscape shifted with new regulations, evolving sanctions, and technological advancements,…

Nic Arters Director, Star USA Overview For years, Section 321 allowed for one shipment per person or business per day that was valued at or under $800.00 USD to be imported duty free or “sectioned.” However, this exemption has been…

Nic Arters Director, Star USA When the next disruption strikes your supply chain (and it will), will your company pivot or pause?  I’ve spent years assisting businesses navigate the evolving maze of trade regulations, and if there’s one truth I’ve…

When a company starts measuring compliance by the absence of chaos, you know there’s a storm coming. That’s precisely what we saw when a global electronics manufacturer came to us during a crisis for import compliance consulting. They had grown…

In my experience, most executives still think of global trade compliance as a necessary evil—a cost center that protects them from fines and disruptions. Instead, I believe it’s one of the most overlooked sources of ROI, market agility, and competitive…

If your company uses international shipping to bring goods into the U.S., the de minimis exemption might seem like a shortcut to savings, but misusing it could land you in serious legal trouble. It’s a powerful tool when used properly,…

Have you ever looked at your supply chain and thought, “There must be a smarter way to do this”? You’re not alone. With tariffs in flux and reshoring trends accelerating, companies are scrambling for every competitive edge. One of the…

Trade Policies Can Make or Break Businesses: How to Prepare  With Trump’s second term reigniting the potential for a trade war with China, businesses relying on global trade need to prepare for new challenges. From increased tariffs to supply chain…

The Challenge: Struggles to Keep Up  I’m often reminded of this exemplary spotlight on how compliance can make or break a business’s operations. A tier-one automotive supplier with annual imports valued at $280 million across 14 countries found itself in…

Key Concerns for Business Leaders & Decision Makers  As businesses brace for another wave of trade policy shifts under President Trump’s second term, one question looms large: How do we navigate these changes without taking a major hit?  New tariffs…

In the intricate realm of international trade, importers shoulder the responsibility of ensuring compliance with a plethora of regulations enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Central to this obligation is the concept of exercising “reasonable care.” Here I’ll explore the significance of reasonable care for importers, its role in import compliance, and strategies for implementation.