|
Expanding our U.S. freight partner network
|
 |
|
Group photo of attendees at the
Premier Cargo Alliance. |
The Annual General Meeting of thePremier Cargo Alliance (PCA), a worldwide logistics networkforindependent international freight forwarders, held February 28 – March 2 in Miami, Florida was the place to be for international logistics providers – and we were in the center of the action.
Chris Barnard, Vice President – Projects & Market Development, Cathy Fong, Manager – Freight Pricing and Lisa Fertita – General Manager, Freight Services Universal Logistics USA, had no fewer than 25 one-on-one meetings with some of the most important players in the global trade sector. The goal was to establish new relationships that will allow our Buffalo, New York office to build on its existing success with global clients.
"This was all about expanding our partner network for our U.S. operation by establishing new business relationships," explained Ms. Fertita.
For more information, contact Chris Barnard, Vice President – Projects & Market Development.
Critical new requirements for foods and ingredients
imported into the U.S.
On May 27, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will implement a program to verify that importers are using safe processes and procedures and that food is not adulterated or misbranded. The program, known formally as the Food Supplier Verification Program (FSVP), requires importersto:
- Determine known or reasonably foreseeable hazards with each food
- Evaluate the risk posed by a food, based on the hazard analysis and the foreign supplier’s performance
- Use that evaluation of the risk posed by an imported food and the supplier’s performance to approve suppliers and determine appropriate supplier verification activities
- Conduct supplier verification activities
- Conduct corrective actions
The importer’s customs broker must identify the name, contact info, DUNS (Dun & Bradstreet) Number and FDA Food Facility Registration Number for the U.S. buyer or consignee for each import of food (human or pet) into the USA. It is imperative that importers provide this information to their customs broker prior to the May 27th implementation date to ensure shipments are not refused entry into the USA.
Any party who currently does not have a DUNS Number, must obtain one via Dun&Bradstreet.
More information is available from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association factsheet.
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & RegulatoryAffairs.
Trade implications of the 2017 Federal Budget
The recently announced 2017 FederalBudget includes several measures that will be of interest to importers and exporters. Here are some highlights:
- Tariffs eliminated on a broad range of agri-food processing ingredients.
- Changes to origin rules to allow more qualifying apparel imports from least developed countries.
- Excise taxes & Excise duties are higher than projected, a direct consequence of the delayed implementation of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the uncertainty surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
- Customs import duties are projected to remain unchanged in 2016–17 and to decrease by $0.5 billion, or 8.5 per cent, in 2017–18.
- Elimination of the surtax on domestic tobacco manufacturers.
For more information, contact Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & RegulatoryAffairs.
Vancouver challenging European shipping hubs
Vancouver is one of five international ports that could soon surpass long-established shipping hubs in Europe, according to an about-to-be-published report by Deloitte, commissioned by the European Community Shipowners’ Association. The other cities are all shipping powerhouses in Asia and the Middle East: Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai andShanghai.
A spokesperson for Vancouver International Maritime Centre, an agency funded by the federal and provincial governments, said Vancouver is now "in the big leagues".
For more information, contact David Lychek, Manager – Ocean & Air Services.
Impact of new shipping alliances
Shipping disruptions are likely as the major shipping lines align under three new alliances and begin offering new routes and services, effective April1,2017.
Concerns about historically low ocean freight rates and the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping Co. prompted the major shipping lines to implement the new alignment, which is arranged as follows:
- 2M Alliance – Maersk and MSC
- Ocean Alliance – CMA, COSCO, Evergreen, OOCL
- THE Alliance – Hapag-Lloyd, KLINE, MOL, NYK, YML
Member carriers have stated that these alliances will significantly improve thecomprehensive network of service offerings for all shippers on the East-West trade lanes.
For more information, contact Debbie McGuire, Manager – Freight Solutions.
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Volcanic activity, including this large geyser field, exists throughout our mystery country. |
You have to go a long way to see this mystery country from end to end
A defining characteristic of our mystery country is its one-of-a-kind land shape. See if you can name it after reviewing the following additional clues:
- This country is the world’s number one exporter of copper.
- This country is hit by earthquakes regularly, including the biggest earthquake recorded on earth since 1900.
- This country is home to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- This country is a world class wine destination, as well as the 5th largest exporter and 9th largest producer in the world.
- Penguins can be found in several areas in the southern part of this country.
 Click here to see the answer
For more information about freight to/from this country, contact Debbie McGuire, Manager – FreightSolutions.
Report Lost and Damaged Cargo to your Forwarder, Carrier and Insurer as soon as possible
Any loss or damage to cargo should be reported immediately to the company or the company’s nearest settling agent. A cargo surveyor is usually appointed to determine the nature and extent, if the amount of the loss or circumstance warrants. The faster one acts, the greater the probability of recovery.
|
 |
|
Josie Tobia,
Office Supervisor – Montreal
|
At Your Service: Josie Tobia, Office Supervisor – Montreal
Josie Tobia joined Universal’s Montreal office in early 2007, and in her present role of Office Supervisor oversees the freight operations of thisoffice.
Josie brings a wealth of industry experience as well as an unending commitment to meeting and exceeding client expectations. “I want the client to feel like we always go the extra mile for them,” says Josie.
Josie can be reached by phone (514) 842-8915 or byemail.
|
