Phone: 630-335-0024 | Email: arthur@aomeara.com
The “de minimis” rule, part of Section 321 of the Tariff Act, allows duty-free importation of goods valued under $800 per day, per individual shipment. While this rule was designed to streamline low-value imports, there is evidence suggesting it’s now being exploited by overseas retailers, like Temu and Shein, to flood the US market with […]
How Overseas Retailers Are Exploiting American Trade Laws Read More »
Let’s dive into the nuances of crafting Customs descriptions, a critical aspect often overlooked by carriers, filers, and importers. Recently, Customs has flagged issues with vague descriptions on documentation, such as the infamous “spare parts.” While it might seem convenient to be concise, vagueness invites scrutiny. Instead, the goal should be to strike a balance
Vague, Boring, Detailed and Interesting Descriptions on Import and Export Documentation Read More »
The Incoterms® Rules, published by the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France, are a set of globally recognized standards for international trade. Arthur O’Meara, Principal of O’Meara and Associates, Inc., holds the distinction of being one of only two ICC-certified Incoterms® Rules instructors in the United States. We are frequently asked about our perspective
Delivered Duty Paid: It’s Only Double the Work Read More »
On April 1, 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a new Cargo Systems Messaging Service announcement addressing “vague descriptions” of imported merchandise used by filers (importers of record). The CSMS reminded importers of the importance of using a complete verbal description, in English, with sufficient detail. Let’s remember the goal of using a verbal description: we
Don’t Give Customs an Excuse to Ask a Question! Read More »
Hi guys! Arthur O’Meara here visiting NASA and learning a lot about space shuttles and something popped into my head I thought would be interesting to share with you. The space shuttle Challenger disaster was horrible, it was awful, I was in college when it happened. I remember it and it was caused by the
Viton® As Rubber Or Plastic? Read More »
Hey there, Arthur O’Meara here from O’Meara and Associates coming to you from inside my office today. I wanted to talk to you about this humble little fruit here. I got it at Trader Joe’s, and it’s delicious. I love it. I saved one just for this video so I could show you. The reason
Berries Or Not Berries Read More »
Possession and ownership are two mutually exclusive topics that are often confused. For example: when borrowing your neighbor’s lawn mower, you possess it, but your neighbor still owns it. When sellers and buyers neglect to separate the concepts of possession and ownership in their terms and conditions, misunderstandings often arise. This can be costly for
Free Carrier/FCA: When the Rains Came Read More »