International Trade Resources Podcast

In this episode of the International Trade Resource Podcast, host Kim Kirkendall sits down with Ann Shipherd, owner of A.C. Ship Global Trade Law and a seasoned consultant with extensive experience in customs brokerage and trade compliance. Together, they tackle one of the most pressing and confusing issues in international trade today: understanding tariff announcements.When headlines announce a new tariff or policy shift, where can importers and trade professionals turn to separate fact from speculation? Ann walks us through a step-by-step process for finding accurate, up-to-date information - starting with presidential executive orders, then moving through CBP’s Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS), the Federal Register, and beyond. She also emphasizes the practical role of customs brokers and industry colleagues in interpreting rapidly changing guidance.The conversation dives deep into tariff stacking, the challenges of conflicting or delayed announcements, and the growing reliance on tools like ACE to verify the real-world application of tariffs. Ann and Kim highlight the importance of industry collaboration, CBP rulings, and staying proactive in a landscape where regulations shift quickly and sometimes retroactively.If you’ve ever wondered how to make sense of tariff updates—or how to protect your company from unexpected costs—this episode is packed with insights and practical strategies.Key Takeaways:Where to find the most reliable sources of tariff information (executive orders, CSMS, Federal Register, ACE).Why your customs broker should be your first call when announcements are made.How to use CBP rulings and industry associations to clarify uncertainties.What tariff stacking is and why it complicates landed cost calculations.The risks of delayed duty bills and why trade professionals must stay vigilant.Tools like newsletters, websites, and LinkedIn can help professionals stay up to date on rapidly changing trade issues.Storytelling is a powerful tool in influencing policymakers—companies that speak up can shape the future of trade. Episode Sponsors:If you liked this episode - Buy Me a Coffee - it’s a great way to help us cover the out of pocket costs.  LINK:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kimkirkendallAcclime China:https://china.acclime.com/Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.Website: www.intltraderesources.com Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.

Ed Brzytwa, Vice President of International Trade at the Consumer Technology Association, offers valuable insights on the role of trade associations in shaping trade policy. He highlights how these associations empower businesses, especially small ones, by providing access to policymakers and essential advocacy tools. The conversation uncovers the impact of personal stories in influencing decisions and the necessity of member engagement for successful advocacy. Brzytwa also shares tips on leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and embracing AI to stay updated and enhance productivity in a rapidly changing trade landscape.

Ying Lu, founder of Blue Lake Packaging and former global operations leader at Apple, shares her innovative approach to packaging. She emphasizes the often-overlooked potential for cost reduction and sustainability. Learn about the three guiding principles her team employs to streamline packaging and navigate tariffs. Ying discusses real-world examples like replacing instruction booklets with QR codes and why a visit to a recycling facility can change your product launch strategy. Explore how small design changes can lead to significant savings and eco-friendly solutions.

Nathan Reed, a licensed customs broker and Director of Customs and Foreign Trade, shares his expertise in navigating the complexities of international trade. He highlights the essential roles of customs brokers in ensuring compliance, handling documentation, and mitigating duties. Nathan offers valuable advice on how companies can make the most of their customs broker partnerships by leveraging their knowledge on import regulations. The discussion also covers tips for selecting the right customs broker and the importance of accurate documentation in trade.

Catherine Reed, an international marketing consultant based in Vienna and a lecturer on business, joins to share her expertise on negotiating import duties and tariffs. She highlights the importance of transparent communication and building strong partnerships with distributors. They discuss innovative strategies like creating a 'Tariff Impact' spreadsheet and leveraging cooperative planning to turn challenges into opportunities. The conversation also explores flexibility in pricing agreements amid market volatility and the significance of scenario planning for long-term success.

Emmet McGovern is a customs brokerage manager at Siva Logistics, bringing eight years of trade compliance expertise. He discusses the vital role of the Importer of Record, emphasizing how legal responsibility lies with them for declarations and duties. Emmet outlines the importance of accurate documentation to avoid costly penalties and highlights real-world examples of tariff evasion. He also offers best practices for audit preparedness and transforming compliance into a competitive edge, ensuring that importers navigate international trade complexities effectively.

In this episode of the International Trade Resource Podcast, host Kim Kirkendall chats with Diego Montemayor, a seasoned trade compliance expert with over 15 years of global market experience. They dive deep into the sometimes confusing world of country of origin determination—especially when components are sourced, partially assembled, and finished across multiple jurisdictions. Diego lays out the fundamental tests U.S. Customs relies on, from the “substantial transformation” standard to the complementary value‑based analysis, helping listeners understand when and how a product’s origin truly changes ​.Together, Kim and Diego unpack real‑world scenarios—like a 3D scanner whose electronic modules come from China but undergo welding, software installation, and housing assembly in Mexico—to illustrate how technical complexity and percentage‑of‑value calculations interplay in a COO decision. They also explore landmark rulings, including a flashlight case where pre‑configured components failed the transformation test, and the Harley‑Davidson EU dispute over tariff‑avoidance motives.Wrapping up, Diego shares best practices for shoring up your COO position: from assembling detailed bills of materials and process documentation, to performing rigorous value‑add analyses and seeking advance customs rulings when in doubt. He warns of common pitfalls—over‑reliance on supplier claims, insufficient paperwork, and jurisdictional nuances—that can leave companies exposed to enforcement actions and unexpected duties​.Key TakeawaysBegin every COO assessment with the substantial‑transformation test; escalate to value‑based analysis when complexity or ambiguity arisesMaintain a “COO file” with bills of materials, processing step descriptions (e.g., welding, software installation), supplier invoices, and logical rationalConduct supplier due diligence and consider binding rulings to lock in your origin position and demonstrate “reasonable care” to customs authorities ​Episode Sponsors:If you liked this episode - Buy Me a Coffee  - it’s a great way to help us cover the out of pocket costs.  LINK:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kimkirkendallAcclime China:https://china.acclime.com/Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.Website: www.intltraderesources.com Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.

In this episode of the International Trade Resource Podcast, host Kim Kirkendall chats with international trade expert Alejandro Alcalde as they dive into additional valuation strategies and explore fresh opportunities amid an ever-evolving tariff.Their conversation builds on prior discussions about first sale valuation and takes a deep dive into other options, including the use of free trade zones and bonded warehouses. Listeners will gain insights into how strategically delaying the import process by utilizing these zones can offer relief from duty and tax obligations—at least temporarily—as companies navigate unpredictable tariff fluctuations.In addition, Kim and Alejandro unravel the nuances of special customs provisions, particularly under chapter 98 of the U.S. tariff schedule. They discuss how various scenarios, such as the handling of returned goods, repair and alteration processes, and even the strategic use of U.S. goods assembled abroad, can be leveraged to reduce costs and optimize operational flows. Kim and Alejandro also emphasize the critical importance of detailed documentation, robust traceability systems, and close coordination with customs brokers to ensure compliance with ever-changing regulations. Tune in to learn how these advanced valuation strategies can help companies better manage risk and optimize their international trade operations.Key takeaways:The benefits and strategic considerations of using free trade zones and bonded warehouses to delay duty and tax payments.An overview of special customs provisions under chapter 98, including processes for returned goods and repair/alteration scenarios.Insights into the complexities of U.S. goods assembled abroad and the importance of maintaining country-of-origin status through proper documentation and operational planning.Practical advice on ensuring traceability and aligning with compliance requirements in a volatile tariff environment.Episode Sponsors: If you liked this episode - Buy Me a Coffee  - it’s a great way to help us cover the out of pocket costs.  LINK:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kimkirkendallAcclime China:https://china.acclime.com/Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.Website: www.intltraderesources.com Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.

In this episode of the International Trade Resource Podcast, host Kim Kirkendall welcomes back Alejandro Alcalde, a trade compliance expert with decades of experience in global customs, logistics, and tax compliance. Together, they dive into the complexities of Import Valuation Strategies—a critical topic for businesses navigating international trade in an era of fluctuating tariffs.Discover how First Sale Valuation (FSV) can be a game-changer for importers looking to legally minimize duties. Alejandro breaks down the requirements, common pitfalls, and real-world applications of this strategy, explaining how businesses can benefit by properly structuring their supply chains. What happens if a product moves through multiple countries before reaching its final destination? How do ownership structures and post-import modifications impact valuation? These are just some of the questions tackled in this insightful discussion.And finally to wrap up this episode they discuss where do companies go wrong when adjusting their supply chains to optimize valuation.  Alejandro and Kim emphasize the importance of meticulous documentation, from commercial contracts to proof of payment, ensuring businesses are prepared should customs authorities come knocking years later. They also explore how working with customs brokers and trade consultants can help companies avoid costly mistakes and optimize their import processes.KEY TAKEAWAYS:First Sale Valuation Can Lower Costs: Under the right conditions, using the initial purchase price instead of the final resale price can reduce import duties.Documentation is Everything: Keeping thorough records of contracts, invoices, and payments is critical to proving compliance.Your Customs Broker is a Key Partner: They must understand your valuation strategy and be aligned with your import processes.Episode Sponsors: If you liked this episode - Buy Me a Coffee  - it’s a great way to help us cover the out of pocket costs.  LINK:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kimkirkendallAcclime China:https://china.acclime.com/Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.Website: www.intltraderesources.com Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.

Today on the International Trade Resources Podcast, our host Kim Kirkendall is joined by Josh Rodman, a partner at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, to discuss the complexities of Country of Origin, or COO. Country of Origin is not as simple as it seems, with different definitions by different agencies that can impact both import and export. In this episode, we dig into the details with Josh as he shares actionable steps for staying up-to-date. First, Kim and Josh discuss how COO can affect general aspects of importing like assessing duties and tariffs.  COO regulations can be different for duties compared to the labeling of the product's country of origin.Multiple trade agreements and agencies are interested in the COO, and they may have differing standards that impact what the final determination of COO will be - for their purposes.  It may be one COO for one purpose (duties) and another for another purpose (labeling). Determining COO may require you to dig into the bill of materials (BOM) to identify where components and materials came from to decide. Josh talks about how It becomes more complicated if some of the parts were made in China, but finished in Mexico or Vietnam. Kim mentions how companies selling direct to consumer in the US don't necessarily consider these issues when they pivot to shipping larger quantities to the US for distribution Lastly Kim sheds light on the political nature of many regulations and rulings in the last ten years. The layering of COO regulations between different agencies, trade agreements, and regulatory bodies that all have an interest in the outcome, means this process is not a simple decision. Josh mentions how different US acts such as Buy America, and agencies such as the ATF and FDA all rely on COO for how your product is categorized. .  How do you stay on top of this ever-changing landscape? Learn how in this information-packed episode! Things you’ll learn How Country of Origin (COO) can require the use of different assessment methods for different agencies and purposes.The layering of COO regulations and some of the agencies, agreements, and regulatory bodies that have an interest in the outcome.How to make sure you are considering all the factors that could affect your product when you are importing. . Episode Sponsors:   Acclime China:https://china.acclime.com/ Corporate Services and full Accounting/CPA/Tax for China.Website: www.intltraderesources.com Email: intltradepodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. We provide no guarantee for the accuracy of the information provided. Reproduction or transmission of this podcast is strictly prohibited.