While Brazil presents a tremendous opportunity for U.S. businesses, it also poses significant challenges for many exporters.

Complex and seemingly arbitrary customs requirements are not uncommon. Furthermore, these challenges are expected to escalate with the recent quadrupling of Brazilian customs investigators as part of a government effort to gain greater quality control on imported goods and boost domestic manufacturing. Foreign exchange controls can also impede payment for export sales to Brazil. 

This webinar will provide information on procedures and best practices for shipping products to Brazil, including tips for avoiding trip wires that can delay customs clearance and receipt of payment.      

• Ricardo Aizenman, Director of LatAm International Banking, Commercial Business Group - Citibank NA
• Denise Carrion, Managing Director, Freight Management - Ceva Logistics, Sao Paulo
• Luiz da Costa, Senior Manager, Global Trade Services & Compliance, Haemonetics Corporation (moderator)
• Juliana Farah, Vice President of International Banking - Citibank NA
• Manuel Viegas, President - Capital Transportation & Technology Corporation

Cost: $35 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members
Duration: 2 hours

As the third largest economy in Asia, and ranked second in emerging markets for economic growth in 2012 to date, India presents many opportunities for U.S. businesses. 

While the market offers many prospects, high duty rates coupled with an unpredictable regulatory and customs environment can pose significant challenges for many U.S. businesses. This webinar will provide information on procedures and best practices for shipping products to India, including tips for navigating the regulatory environment and avoiding customs clearance issues.            

Speakers:

• Larry Disenhof, Group Director, Export Compliance & Government Relations - Cadence Design Systems
• Vivek Luthra, India Logistics Specialist, Consultant & Managing Partner - Trade in EU
• Ian Moss, Esquire - Middleton & Shrull (moderator)

Cost: $50 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members
Duration: 2 hours

Encryption is one of the most heavily regulated items in global trade, subject to both U.S. export controls and foreign import restrictions. Moreover, global encryption regulations affect not only exporters of software, but also exporters of equipment and technology with encryption functionality. 

This webinar will review U.S. encryption export regulatory requirements, including registration, reporting and special licensing provisions. 

The webinar will also address foreign import restrictions on cryptography, with a focus on major markets for U.S. firms. 

Speaker:

•  Antoinette Paytas, Partner - Thomsen and Burke LLP

Cost: $50 / $25 Compliance Alliance members
Duration: 1.5 hours

STEP Grant Application Process

Join us to learn about the Massachusetts State Trade and Export Promotion Grant Program ("STEP"), which is available to eligible Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services (click here to learn more about the STEP Grant). 

The Massachusetts STEP Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the MSBDC-Massachusetts Export Center, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.  

This webinar will discuss the parameters of the Massachusetts STEP Grant Program and walk participants through the STEP Grant application process. The webinar will provide guidance on completing the application and discuss specific elements that are critical for successful applicants. The webinar will also provide tips on assessing export readiness and planning international marketing activities in support of the STEP application. Those applicants who have demonstrated a strong commitment to exporting with a well-planned export strategy will have the best likelihood of success!

Grant Application Period: March 1 - May 30, 2013

Years in the making -- it's finally here: the official implementation of export control reform. 

On April 15, 2013 the Departments of State and Commerce published major final revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). These final rules definitively establish the structure, provisions, and definitions for a positive control list and mark the start of the transition of many items from the ITAR to the licensing jurisdiction of the EAR and control on the Commerce Control List ("CCL").

Join us for a two-hour webinar to discuss the new "600 Series" ECCNs; the new definition of "Specially Designed"; de minimus requirements; licensing requirements; license exceptions; and the overall export control reform initiative. Gain perspective on how these revisions will affect your export control program and licensing requirements in the near future!  

Speakers:

• Ian Moss, Esq. - Middleton & Shrull, LLC
• Corey Norton, Esq. - Keller and Heckman LLP

Cost: $35 / no charge for Compliance Alliance members
Duration: 2 hours

Is your company paying duties and taxes on temporary shipments or on shipment of goods covered under warranty?  Are these shipments getting stuck in Customs?  Are employees carrying equipment internationally and getting detained in Customs? 

Many exporters face challenges like these and end up either swallowing the added cost or passing on the cost to an unhappy customer. This can be avoided, however, with accurate and complete annotations on export documentation; using tools such as carnets or temporary import bonds; and, in particular, the development of distinct processes for these special-circumstance transactions. 

This two-part webinar provides guidance on several issues that require special attention in these cases, including: proper valuation and classification of products and repairs; documentary requirements and verbiage; handling of AES reporting requirements; Customs clearance facilitation; and more. 
 

Speakers:

• Amanda Barlow, Director, Marketing, Carnet and Trade Services – U.S. Council for International Business
• Dudre Begon, CBP Officer - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Bill Connolly, Director of Customs House Brokerage - Oceanair 
• Vincent de Vries, Managing Director, Triple Logistics - The Netherlands
• Larry Disenhof, Group Director, Export Compliance & Government Relations – Cadence Design Systems
• Colleen Downey, CBP Officer - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Thomas Naughton, CBP Officer - U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Kathleen Newell, Trade Compliance Manager – Massachusetts Export Center
• Harvey Waite, Vice President, Compliance and Security - Oceanair

Cost: $100 / $50 for Compliance Alliance Members
Duration: 4 hours total (2 hours per session)