Logistically Speaking

Logistically Speaking...What's Going On With De Minimis?

Logistically Speaking is back for its third season! In this this episode, Cameron and Scott examine the end of de minimis duty-free treatment that took effect August 29, 2025. Their guest is Ryan Tanner, Senior Director of Compliance at Flexport. Ryan discusses the dramatic shift from the 2016 $800 threshold that processed over 1 billion packages annually to the current landscape requiring duties on all imports. The conversation covers how businesses are adapting through hybrid models—combining formal entries, U.S. warehousing, and international postal services with new IEEPA-based flat rates. Ryan explains the third-party qualifier system enabling postal imports, the compliance challenges of transitioning from Type 86 entries, and the uncertain future pending Supreme Court review of IEEPA tariff authority. With tariff volatility driving demand for bonded warehousing and FTZ space, importers face critical decisions about supply chain strategy as the industry navigates this regulatory transformation. Links: White House Executive Order on De Minimis [https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/] CBP CSMS Guidance Message on De Minimis [https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-3f01456?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2] Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk [http://www.coastto.co.uk]

Logistically Speaking...What are the top issues in air cargo?

In this episode of Logistically Speaking, Scott Case and Cameron Roberts [https://tradeandcargo.com/team/cameron-w-roberts/] sit down with Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association [http://www.airforwarders.org], at AirCargo 2025 [http://www.aircargoconference.com] in Dallas. Brandon shares his insights on the current state of the air cargo industry, critical challenges facing forwarders, and emerging opportunities in a changing global landscape. This episode was recorded on Sunday, March 2nd and at the conference, the imposition of Canadian, Mexican and Chinese tariffs were discussed, came into existence and then in the case of Canada and Mexico, were partially removed two days later on USMCA-qualifying goods. Key Topics: * The evolution of the air cargo industry and the shift to multimodal transportation * Impact of potential tariffs on trade with China, Mexico, and Canada * Changes to de minimis regulations and their effect on e-commerce * Air cargo security developments since 9/11 * Infrastructure challenges at U.S. airports and the AfA/NCBFAA white paper initiative * Future of air cargo including autonomous aircraft and the need for freighter capacity About Brandon Fried: Brandon Fried was appointed Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association in November 2005. He began his career as a sales representative in Los Angeles before moving to Washington DC, where he owned and operated the Washington office of a global freight forwarder specializing in time-definite air cargo transportation. Brandon joined the Air Forwarders Association in 2000 and was elected Chairperson in 2001, serving for two consecutive terms. He has served on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, COAC, the CNS Advisory Board, and numerous other industry associations. Brandon brings decades of hands-on experience in the forwarding industry and continues to be a leading voice for air cargo interests in Washington.

Logistically Speaking...What's It Like To Lead A Port?

In this episode of Logistically Speaking, hosts Scott Case and Cameron Roberts [https://tradeandcargo.com/team/cameron-w-roberts/] welcome Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, to discuss: * The upcoming TPM (Trans-Pacific Maritime) Conference and its significance for the port industry * Long Beach's initiatives in sustainable cargo movement and zero-emission technologies * Adapting to larger vessel sizes and improving port infrastructure * The impact of tariffs and changing trade patterns on port operations * Efforts to increase exports and address trade imbalances * The role of foreign trade zones in mitigating tariff impacts * Updates on detention and demurrage issues following OSRA 2022 * Challenges and opportunities in reshoring manufacturing Mario Cordero's Bio: Mario Cordero is the Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Long Beach, a position he has held since 2017. His career in Long Beach began as a member, vice president, and president of the Long Beach Board of Harbors Commission. In 2011, President Obama appointed Cordero as a Democratic commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission, where he served until 2017, including as the agency's chairman from 2013 onwards. Cordero's leadership has been instrumental in the Port of Long Beach's status as part of the largest container trade gateway in the United States, handling trade valued at $200 billion annually and supporting 2.6 million jobs across the nation. Under his guidance, the port has made significant strides in environmental initiatives, achieving remarkable reductions in emissions and implementing innovative green energy projects.

Logistically Speaking...Tariffs, Anyone?

In this episode of Logistically Speaking, hosts Scott Case and Cameron Roberts sit down a day after President Trump's second inauguration to discuss the flurry of Executive Orders and trade rhetoric with Carlos Sesma, Senior Partner at Mexican law firm Sesma, Sesma & McNeese. The conversation explores the complex interplay between politics, trade, and regional economic integration. Key Topics Discussed Recent Policy Changes * President Trump's announcement of potential 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada * Changes to Mexico's IMMEX program affecting chapters 61, 62, and 63, introducing a 35% duty rate * Impact on e-commerce companies using Mexico as a distribution hub * Relationship between trade policies and immigration concerns Mexico-US Trade Relations * Mexico's critical dependence on US trade (86% of exports) * Analysis of Mexico's strategic position between US and China * Discussion of USMCA renegotiation possibilities * Impact of potential tariffs on regional manufacturing and supply chains Infrastructure Development * Major Mexican infrastructure projects: * The Mayan Train project connecting the Yucatan Peninsula * Trans-isthmic railway development as Panama Canal alternative * New Tulum Airport with cargo capabilities * Focus on developing Mexico's southern regions Regional Integration * Evolution of North American trade relationships * Role of rail infrastructure in regional connectivity * CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) railway expansion plans * Impact of new administrations in all three countries Looking Forward * Preparation for potential USMCA negotiations * Changes in Mexican governance and judicial system * Importance of maintaining business relationships despite political rhetoric * Regional economic development strategies Source Material: * America First Trade Policy [https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/america-first-trade-policy/] * Mexico Issues 35% Tariff on Textiles [https://mexicobusiness.news/ecommerce/news/mexico-issues-35-tariff-textile-imports-protect-industry]

Logistically Speaking...What's the future of US Trade and Tariffs?

In this episode of Logistically Speaking, co-hosts Scott Case and Cameron Roberts sit down with Paul Bingham, Director of Global Intelligence and Analytics, Transportation Consulting for S&P Global Market Intelligence, to dissect the potential impact of sweeping new tariff proposals following the November 2024 U.S. presidential election. The discussion centers on how proposed tariffs - ranging from a global 10% import duty to targeted levies of up to 200% on specific trading partners - could reshape international commerce and supply chains. Bingham reveals how S&P Global has recalibrated their economic models to account for these dramatic policy shifts, offering insights into what businesses might expect in 2025 and beyond. The conversation explores the ripple effects these tariff changes could have throughout the global economy, from consumer prices to fuel costs, and examines how different sectors might adapt to this new trade landscape. Cameron details the means by which the administration can promulgate some of these proposals on day one based on the power vested in the Executive Branch by Congress. Bingham shares detailed analysis on how these policies could impact critical trade relationships, particularly with Mexico and Canada under USMCA, while also addressing concurrent challenges in global shipping, including Red Sea disruptions, evolving air cargo capacity, and the ongoing transformation of international supply chains. The discussion further examines the intersection of tariff policy with other key economic factors, including the CHIPS Act implementation, de minimis trade rules, and the potential responses from BRICS nations. About Paul Bingham: Paul Bingham serves as the Director of Global Intelligence and Analytics, Transportation Consulting for S&P Global Market Intelligence. With decades of experience in economic and transportation analysis, Bingham is a recognized expert in global trade patterns and supply chain economics. He regularly provides strategic guidance to both public and private sector clients on transportation and trade policy issues. His work at S&P Global includes leading teams that develop economic forecasts and analyze global trade trends, helping organizations navigate complex international market dynamics and policy changes. Bingham is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and events, including the recent WESCCON gathering of customs brokers and freight forwarders. Relevant Links: USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) https://ustr.gov/usmca [https://ustr.gov/usmca] S&P Global Market Intelligence https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/ [https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/] International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information [https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information] CHIPS and Science Act https://www.commerce.gov/chips [https://www.commerce.gov/chips] Section 232 Trade Investigations https://www.bis.doc.gov/232 [https://www.bis.doc.gov/232] De Minimis Trade Rules & Section 321 https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/section-321-value-increases [https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/e-commerce/section-321-value-increases] Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) https://www.fmc.gov/ [https://www.fmc.gov/] TIACA (The International Air Cargo Association) https://www.tiaca.org/ [https://www.tiaca.org/] Suez Canal Alternative Routes https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/ [https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/] BRICS Economic Coalition https://infobrics.org/ [https://infobrics.org/]