Here, we share the latest industry trends, best practices, and innovative solutions to help your business navigate the complexities of global logistics. Whether you’re looking for tips on international trade regulations, success stories from businesses like yours, our blog is designed to keep you informed and empowered. Join us on this journey to excellence in logistics.
Navigating today’s trade tensions as a small business isn’t easy, but there are real, strategic ways to manage rising costs and prepare for what’s ahead.
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and traceability are no longer optional
We explore how small businesses can move from reactive to strategic trade compliance.
We break down why every small and mid-size business needs a global trade SOP, how to create one, and how a customs and logistics partner can help you stay on track.
We break down 10 of the most common red flags that could lead to a customs audit and share practical tips on how to avoid them.
We break down the key updates to U.S. Customs regulations in 2025, and what they mean for your business.
Highlighting emerging trends in trade compliance that every SMB should have on their radar.
We walk through what’s changed, where the opportunities are, and how SMBs can stay compliant and competitive in this new era.
Breaks down what a post-entry audit is, why it happens, what to expect, and how to prepare your business so you’re not caught by surprise.
We break down how AI and data analytics help SMBs navigate global trade with greater accuracy, efficiency, and confidence.
We break down the essentials of customs audits, common reasons for penalties, and best practices for resolving disputes with CBP
We break down what FTZs are, how they work, and why they can be a game-changer for your business.
Why a customs broker is essential, what to look for when choosing one, and how the right broker can streamline your import/export operations
An Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program is a voluntary, globally recognized program, administered by customs with an aim to foster a secure supply chain
This blog unpacks the critical aspects of the IOR role, providing clarity on what it means, what is expected of you, and how to mitigate risks.
We explore the what, when, and why of advanced rulings
We explore an often-underutilized tool in global trade that can streamline your import operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency: bonded warehousing
This article explores the opportunities and challenges of U.S.-China trade
Understanding AGOA , its trade benefits, and the rules of origin requirements that distinguish it from other trade agreements.
The USMCA provides tremendous opportunities for SMBs to reduce costs, access new markets, and streamline trade processes. By understanding and applying the rules of origin, businesses can confidently navigate the agreement and maximize its benefits.
Leveraging duty relief programs allows businesses to reinvest savings , through expanding product offerings, enhancing customer service and remaining competitive against larger companies
Accurate customs valuation isn’t just about numbers; it impacts duty calculations, cash flow, and overall trade compliance.
Whether you’re managing a complex product, entering a new market, or seeking to leverage an FTA, a classification ruling provides certainty and supports your business’s compliance strategy
tariff engineering offers a legitimate and effective way for U.S. importers to minimize import duties by making strategic modifications to your products or supply chains.
Supply chain security is a multifaceted challenge that requires careful planning and proactive measures.
A robust Incident Response Plan (IRP) can mitigate the risks and help businesses recover swiftly.
In this article, we explore how trade compliance software works, the key benefits it offers to businesses, and why integrating it can be a game-changer for your global trade operations.
COO marking regulations can seem daunting. However, following these steps can simplify the process and reduce the risk of non-compliance
To ensure smooth customs clearance for your imported goods, keep these key steps in mind
In this article, we will explore the critical aspects of export controls, focusing on what items are subject to export restrictions, why these controls are in place, and how your business can navigate this complex landscape to ensure compliance.
Denied Parties Lists: Why Should You Check These Lists Before Doing Business with Foreign Entities?
Export Documentation: What Paperwork is Required for Shipping Goods Abroad?
Trade Agreements: What are Free Trade Agreements, and How Can They Benefit Your Exports?
Harmonized System(HS)Codes: How Are Products Classified for International Trade?
Incoterms: How They Affect Shipping Responsibilities?
Customs Basics: What Are Customs Duties, Tariffs, and How Do They Impact Your Business
In the previous two articles, we discussed various regulations regarding the FDA and pharmaceuticals and the CDC and vaccines within the cold chain. In this series, we want to return to the FDA and cover the regulations and guidance in transportation and storage of perishables. Not only do these requirements keep your customers safe, but they also protect your business and products. The Importance of Adherence to FDA Regulations for Perishables From milk to vegetables to eggs, perishables (or TCS foods) require special attention at all stages, including manufacturing, transportation, storage, and, of course, after the consumer’s purchase. Failure to comply with the FDA’s requirements could cause problems for your business, your products, and your customers. It’s essential to follow all regulations to ensure you keep product waste to a minimum and don’t get your customers sick. In the event of violations, the FDA may take several different actions depending on the severity of the breach. Companies and individuals can be subjected to • Warning letters • Seizure • Injunction • Criminal prosecution • And fines FDA Regulations to Note for TCS Foods
In the pharmaceutical industry, a company can’t underestimate the importance of regulations. One regulatory body that plays a large role is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . While certain practices are standardly followed in your warehouses and factories; it is also essential to follow the regulations when your products are in transport. In this article, we’ll cover some of the different laws you’ll need to know when it comes to the cold chain and FDA for your pharmaceutical products. Importance of Adhering to FDA Regulations Pharmaceuticals are required to follow specific regulations from the FDA, from the manufacturing process to the sale of the product to the consumer. Failure to do so could spell grave consequences for your company. It’s essential to follow these practices to protect your customers as well as your business. The FDA issues many different enforcement actions when a company is found guilty of non-compliance with these regulations. These vary from warning letters to criminal prosecution , depending on the violation and convictions. In the case of a warning letter, a company needs to verify the steps they will take to correct the violation. However, in a more severe breach or repeated violation, companies can be subject to seizure, injunctions, fines, or imprisonment. Documentation is the number one key in following FDA regulations for pharmaceutical companies and distribution partners. To ensure they’re compliant at all steps of the process to include detailed records of temperature, time, conditions during transport, contingency plans for delays, and strategies for potential problems and deviations, throughout the entire cold chain. FDA Regulations to Note For Cold Chain
This is the final part of a three-part series focusing on tech that can help drive efficiency, assist with compliance, and reduce risk in the pharmaceutical industry. In part one, we talked about IoT in the industry and when manufacturing products . In part two, we discussed quality and consistency . For full access to previous post visit our blog page at www.magneticprecision.com. By now, you understand several ways IoT can help drive better operational efficiency in the pharmaceutical industry, providing many benefits to companies, from improved warehouse management to better documentation to quality assurance. In this third part, we discuss how technology helps these businesses reduce risk, which aids in compliance. Here are three ways you can reduce risk thanks to IoT in the pharmaceutical industry. The IoT Reduces Product Loss We touched on this a little bit in part 2 when we discussed how IoT could help you maintain compliance and quality from manufacturing to transportation, and we promised to discuss it in a little more detail in part 3. Thanks to technology in this field, pharma companies can now know where their product is at all times and ensure on-time delivery for their customers. Customers and consignees can receive updates and monitoring capabilities based on permissions, which significantly cuts down on delays and ensures visibility through transport at all times. This level of visibility means that if something does go wrong, it can swiftly be corrected. If a truck breaks down carrying sensitive pharmaceutical products, dispatch can be notified immediately of an issue or temperature excursion, allowing the driver to make immediate corrections. When significant issues occur, the dispatch or logistics company can send a repair team out at once. Many IoT solutions can also diagnose a future problem giving the technical team the ability to complete needed maintenance, avoiding any issues during transit. These IoT tools result in faster response times and mitigate product is lost. The IoT Reduces Chance of Theft
This article is part two of a three-part series where we will be covering how technology helps with compliance in the pharmaceutical industry and transportation. In part one , we covered how the IoT is having a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry, making it easier than ever to focus on efficiency. If you haven’t read it yet, we highly recommend starting there. Make sure to join us in part three, where we’ll take a deeper dive into compliance and how it can help you reduce risk. Now that you know why IoT is becoming a must for efficiency in pharmaceuticals, it’s time to cover how these technologies will help you ensure compliance. From manufacturing to transportation, there are plenty of regulations that a business needs to abide by to ensure compliance. However, human error can lead to mistakes, putting your business in jeopardy. IoT and technological advances make compliance easier every step of the way, and it’s a benefit many pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers overlook. Here are some ways your company can benefit. IoT Helps with Quality and Consistency of Pharmaceuticals When it comes to pharmaceuticals, quality and consistency are two factors to pay attention to in your organization. Starting with manufacturing, the right processes here can make all the difference. Batches in pharmaceutical manufacturing can quickly become corrupted as they rely on several factors working correctly. Each step of the way has to work flawlessly and your machinery, potentially, has to work continuously . As covered in the previous article, we discussed how the Internet of Things helps ensure that everything on the manufacturing floor communicates with one another. If there is an issue with temperature or maintenance is due, your real-time indicators can notify you. Not only does this save your team time and effort, but it also helps you prevent wasted product, delays, headaches, and, of course, money. It also ensures your business is on top of compliance regulations. IoT technologies allow you to be sure you’re focusing on quality and consistency more than ever. IoT Helps with Documentation for Pharmaceuticals
There’s no doubt that IoT technology produces significant results in just about every industry. When we look at the impact this technology has within the pharmaceutical industry and supply chain, inclusive of the manufacturer, distribution procedures, storage, and final consumer dispensing, the outcome is an intuitive and dynamic infrastructure that makes it easier than ever to drive better operational efficiencies and meet compliance standards. This article is part of a three-part series where we will cover the impact to the pharmaceutical cold chain supply chain process. First, we will focus on the importance of IoT for operational efficiencies. In parts two and three, we’ll cover how this technology can assist with compliance, cold chain and temperature sensitivity, risk reduction, tracking, and more. Here are some excellent examples of how IoT technology is a significant player within the pharmaceutical industry, and how you can take advantage. Connected Equipment and Machinery On the manufacturing floor, IoT makes it easier for pharmaceutical companies to track their equipment’s efficiencies and statuses. Thanks to sensors and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), team members and managers can know exactly when something is wrong, why something is wrong, and how they can go about fixing it. The sensors track sound frequencies, pressure, temperature, and even vibrations. These tools can help keep workers safe and give your employees enough time to react if something is going wrong. Pharmaceutical manufacturers can opt for connected technology informing them of the location of their employees in the event of an emergency or evacuation. Data also plays a role here. Connected equipment makes it easier for a company to collect data, allowing them to improve processes over time. Talent shortages over the past few years have made this information and data invaluable to bottom lines. The data is used to improve existing processes and develop new solutions for future work. It can Help to determine machine maintenance schedules and trigger service requests Predict when a machine will breakdown Predict dangerous operating conditions Save companies from costly failures and extended machine downtime Improved Warehouse Management
The IoT, or Internet of Things, is mentioned quite a bit across many different industries and seems to have a never-ending amount of benefits for businesses and consumers. IoT also has a place in cold chain logistics, especially for TCS perishables. Here is a rundown of what it means for the industry and the advantages for food-related organizations, including production plants to restaurants. IoT and TCS TCS foods require special care to ensure they arrive at their destination unspoiled. No matter where TCS perishables come from or where they are going, everyone involved in the supply chain is required to monitor food to keep it fresh and mitigate waste. The right approaches here will save companies money while also keeping consumers safe. TCS perishables used to rely on manual reporting and tracking. Mistakes could easily result in a loss of the entire shipment if the temperature dropped and went unnoticed or the delivery delayed on the road due to a breakdown. IoT allows companies better to track their investment with less hassle and less waste. Benefits of Using IoT for TCS Perishables There are quite a few benefits of using IoT solutions for TCS perishables that could save your organization money, stress, effort, and time. A few includes: Automation Control of TCS Those in the industry are incredibly familiar with TCS and what it means for their bottom line. Tracking temperatures and time are necessary to ensure that bacteria do not have a chance to grow and spoil the food. IoT solutions allow for better control and monitoring of the temperature, humidity, and other conditions for your TCS foods. Fleets and storage systems can easily use software to track temperature, retain an appropriate environment, and correct if needed. Alerts When Something is Wrong If something does go wrong with the temperature for these types of foods, fast action is needed. IoT solutions allow alerts, such as push notifications, to be sent out to the appropriate people, allowing them to react quickly and ensure that the temperature or other issues are immediately adjusted before the food spoils. Real-time notifications can inform you of issues with a cooling system, vehicle malfunctions, future repairs needed, or other problems within a setting. You can also set up alerts to notify dispatchers, so if there is a breakdown on the road, technicians can get to work quickly on diagnosing and repairing the issue. Combined with automation control, alerts allow you to mitigate the chances of loss to TCS perishables in the supply chain. Real-Time Location Tracking
