Are you ready for ISF January 27th!

A common mistake most new importers become frustrated with is when money delays the delivery of their shipment. In all importing transactions there can be multiple parties that need to be paid so the other parties can release the freight to you and your trucker. Below is a step by step process of who should be paid and why.. Steamship line/Freight Forwarder – All fees should be paid to your agent who aided you in transporting your cargo from Port of Departure to Port of Arrival. When you pay your freight forwarder this gets the ball rolling. Terminals – Upon arrival of your cargo you may have to pay storage or examination charges to the terminal. Double check with your freight forwarder to make sure the terminal has their money. CFS – Container Freight Station – if you are bringing in loose freight a CFS station has their own charges that have to be cleared up before it can be released. Again, check with your Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker to see if they have paid this on your behalf and included it in their invoice. Customs Broker – Your Customs Broker usually pays duties on your behalf. Most POA’s give your broker the right to hold your shipment for payment. It is important as a new importer all parties are paid as early as possible. This is the number 1 issue that effects importers and sour them to the whole importing process. Money has to be in the right hands before the shipment releases as this is what makes the wheels go! »View More

Help Customs Help You

Many importers are intimidated with Customs and their requests for paperwork. This is a big mistake as the role of Customs is to facilitate your importing transaction. No matter what the request that Customs asks do you best to fulfill it ASAP (As Soon As Possible). Customs needs all the proper documentation in order to complete their inquiry and when the importer delays in providing all the necessary docs they hold up the shipment. Help Customs Help You! Be as complete and Listen to what Customs requests of you as a Importer. Although a Customs Broker talks to Customs on your behalf we along with Customs want to resolve all issues quickly. Documentation is the oil that keeps the machines of Importing going and flowing. So do your best to make sure all documentation is provided ASAP! »View More

CBP Supports Haiti

‘When they hear that language…it gives them warmth to hear someone speaking their language that is here to help them,” Baptiste said. Baptiste himself has not been in the U.S. that long. He grew up in Haiti, arriving in the U.S. in 2001 to finish his senior year in high school. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Western Florida, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2007 and joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a Border Patrol agent in Yuma, Ariz. In 2008 he became a CBP Officer assigned in Orlando. He loves the variety of work that his CBP career provides. “It’s a unique position that you get to do so much with one agency,” Baptiste said, indicating that in addition to serving as a CBP officer, he also serves as a firearms instructor and provides translation in Creole when needed. “As a Haitian American, I feel that God has put me in a place where I can help [when it’s needed most], with my language skills,” Baptiste said. The officer expressed his amazement and gratitude for the outpouring of support that the world has shown so far to provide relief to the Haitian people. “So many countries have come together to help Haiti. It’s unheard of to see that type of support so quickly. The American people raised $5 million for the American Red Cross in four to five days. This is unbelievable,” Baptiste said. “It makes it seem like there is a light at the end of tunnel for the Haitian people.” The earthquake itself hit pretty close to home for the officer. His wife, who came to the U.S. in 2008, once lived not more than 10 blocks from the now ruined presidential palace in Port-Au-Prince. “That could have been my wife that was killed,” he said. Baptiste indicated that his wife lost two cousins in the earthquake. One of them is buried under an embankment and there is no way to retrieve the body to give a proper burial. What gives comfort to Baptiste the most during this trying time is his CBP family. “You don’t know how much of a family it is until something tragic like this happens,” Baptiste said. Area Port Director Eduardo Oliveros and Baptiste’s other managers have provided constant support and allowed him to come to Sanford to help process the arriving military relief flights. When the earthquake struck, he was literally chomping at the bit to go. “At least (I feel like) I’m doing something to help,” Baptiste said. He is waiting for the call to serve in-country with the relief mission in Haiti for CBP. His co-workers have stepped in with extra uniforms to bring on the mission. “I got BDU’s from everybody,” Baptiste said. A mountain of modesty, Baptiste said he doesn’t want the story to be about him but stressed the Haitian people’s story needs to be told. “The Haitian people, the way they came together, pulling people out from the rubble, they are showing their strength,” Baptiste said. “They should be applauded for this.” “It makes me feel proud to be living in these times…. People are finding the time to send money and help to Haiti,” Baptiste said. “It’s a good thing to see.” Baptiste feels proud to serve CBP and is thankful that he got the opportunity to finish his education in the U.S. and also, at 26, identified with the youth of Haiti and noted, wistfully, that others who did not have the same opportunity had likely perished. “The people that are there in Haiti are young. It easily could have been me.” »View More