Preparing for Brexit: A New Customs and Trading Environment

Brexit for Tradelane

This week we feature guest author Alan Owen, Director of Customs Services, Europe at Expeditors, Tradewin's parent company

Speculation continues as to “what sort of a deal” will be struck between the European Union and the United Kingdom with regards to trade in goods and customs matters in a post Brexit environment.

Recent advances in the negotiation process have allowed both the United Kingdom and the European Union to move to the next phase, which will be to start discussing a future trading and customs environment and the implementation of the transitional period.

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Topics: Europe

GST Out, Sales and Service Tax In (Again): What To Look Out For In Malaysia

Malaysia GST-5

It is probably not an exaggeration to say that the results of the Malaysian General elections in May of this year took nearly everyone by surprise... But with a Trump-Kim meeting happening, four time champions Italy not making the FIFA World Cup, and Loki actually dying in an Avengers movie, is there anything that really surprises anyone anymore?

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Topics: Asia

Notice of Intent to Impose Countermeasures Against the United States

Canadian Countermeasures Blog

On May 31st, the Canadian Department of Finance issued a notice of intent to impose tariffs on certain product of US origin imported into Canada. I usually impart some humour into my blogs or attempt to at least, however these are some pretty significant and serious countermeasures.

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Topics: North America

New Zealand: Out With the Old Act and in With the New!

Out with the old and in with the new

A review of New Zealand’s Customs and Excise Act 1996 (“the previous Act”) commenced in 2013, to address parts of the previous Act that dated up to 100 years old. After extensive discussions with stakeholders and industry professionals, the new Customs and Excise bill was introduced in November 2016. On the 22 March 2018, it passed its third reading in Parliament and has now received Royal assent.

Why the change?

As mentioned, the previous Act was, in many respects, outdated and in need of review. The Customs and Excise Act 2018 (“the Act”) will enable the New Zealand Customs Service (“NZ Customs”) to keep up with the rapid changes in international trade, travel, security, and technology.

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Topics: South Pacific

5 Strategies to Reduce Section 232 Duties

5 Strategies to reduce Section 232 duties

More news on the US trade remedies front. 

Steel (25%) and aluminum (10%) duties under Section 232 that were initiated on National Security grounds, appear to be even more onerous as the Trump administration has announced that products targeted for Section 232 advanced duties will lose the benefit of GSP trade preference. 

There is great concern that other free trade programs may be similarly affected on Section 232 products. 

Expect supply chain disruptions, higher costs, and litigation.

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Topics: Duty Drawback, HS Classification