Two coworkers make plans for tariff savings at their desk while looking at a notebook

Tariff Savings Case Study: Identifying $2M+ in Client’s Potential Savings

Most compliance engagements start with a signed contract. This one started with a refusal.   When a major U.S. importer issued a competitive RFP for trade compliance services, the conventional move would have been to sharpen our pencils, compete on price, and hope…

shipping containers of different colors stacked on top of each other

Be Ready for CBP’s New CAPE System: Automatic IEEPA Tariff Refunds

Nic Arters Director, Star USA Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advised that they are developing a new refund system called the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries, or CAPE, within its existing Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal. CAPE is designed…

Executive Trade Compliance Dashboard: Setup Tips & Metrics

Nic Arters Director, Star USA For executives at your business, making decisions without a trade compliance dashboard can feel like driving to an unfamiliar destination without a map or GPS. They’ll likely get where they want to go, but it…

How One Importer Recovered $8 Million and Transformed a Loss into Leverage

Nic Arters Director, Star USA When the phone rang, the voice on the other end wasn’t panicked, but it was close. A client in the industrial equipment space had hit a wall. Their warehouse was packed with electrostatic spray guns…

Year-End Trade Compliance Checklist: Prepare for a Successful Year Ahead

Nic Arters Director, Star USA At the end of each year, I can’t help but reflect on the trade compliance landscape of the past twelve months. The global trade landscape continues to shift with new regulations, evolving sanctions, and technological…

The End of De Minimis – What does it mean for your business?

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…

What is Proactive Trade Compliance & How Does it Benefit Your Business?

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…

Case Study: Import Compliance Consulting Creates Competitive Advantage for a Global Manufacturer

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…

Global Trade Compliance Is the New Competitive Edge: Hidden ROI and Market Advantages

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…

Compliance Alert: The Risks of De Minimis Exemption Misuse and DDP Manipulation

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,…

Substantial Transformation Demystified: A Strategic Lens on Tariff Engineering

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 War 2.0: Predicting China-US Economic Tensions in Trump’s Second Term

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…