01Trade status and agreements
USMCA, KOR-US, bilateral agreements with Japan, Australia. Section 232 & 301 tariffs.
Forwarders and shippers need to understand the specific FTA landscape: which preferences apply, which origin documents are accepted. Verify product-by-product on every quote and shipment.
02Customs and import/export specifics
CBP ACE system, Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2"), Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), FDA for food/pharma.
Beyond the systems listed, country-specific requirements on product labelling, technical standards and pre-shipment inspections apply. For B2C flows from the EU into United States, correct VAT handling (e.g. IOSS) matters.
03Gateways and connectivity
Main gateways: Los Angeles/Long Beach, NY/NJ, Savannah (See); JFK, ORD, LAX, MIA (Luft).
Routing depends on volume, origin/destination and service level. Time-critical: airfreight via the main hub; volume cargo: sea via the largest terminal; intra-region: road or road-rail combinations.
04Top trade partners
Main trading partners: China, Kanada, Mexiko, EU, Japan. Exact statistics change yearly; up-to-date data is available from Eurostat, UN Comtrade and national statistics offices.