Turning Tariff Intelligence into Practical Business Decisions. Join Michael D. Easton, president of Star USA, as we explore what organizations are seeing in real time, including tariff refunds already underway and the evolving role of the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and…
Industry Insights
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…
How Strong Trade Compliance Helps You Win and Keep Enterprise Customers
Melissa MerkleEducation & Outreach Manager, Star USA If “we’re working on it” is your current trade compliance strategy, enterprise customers have already noticed. Blunt? Perhaps, but it’s the kind of honest observation that saves a lot of time. Large, sophisticated customers are no longer treating…
Be Ready for CBP’s New CAPE System: Automatic IEEPA Tariff Refunds
Nic ArtersDirector, 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 with…
Executive Trade Compliance Dashboard: Setup Tips & Metrics
Nic ArtersDirector, 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 may…
How One Importer Recovered $8 Million and Transformed a Loss into Leverage
Nic ArtersDirector, 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 purchased…
Year-End Trade Compliance Checklist: Prepare for a Successful Year Ahead
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,…
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…
Top 5 Traits of Businesses that Execute Successful Trade Compliance Strategy
Michael D. Easton President & General Manager, Star USA If you think trade compliance strategy is just about checking boxes, you’re missing what the top-performing companies already know: it’s one of the smartest operational investments a business can make. In…
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,…