Handling Solar Panels . . a must read

We have handled a considerable amount of solar panels through our warehouse facility for our customers.  so we thought that we would take a moment to share this information from from our friends at Roanoke Trade

All Solar Panel Bonding Requires Surety Approval

By Roanoke Trade | Published July 7, 2015

The strategic significance of development and promotion of renewable energy in the twenty-first century has profoundly affected the solar panel industry worldwide. Increased foreign production in this key sector has generated heightened sensitivity to international competitive factors, in turn spawning special tariff measures to ensure a level playing field for all.

U.S./China trade has been materially impacted by the foregoing. The first set of U.S. ADD/CVD orders (A-570-979 and C-570-980) on solar panels and cells from China was published in late 2012. Those orders do not apply to panels produced in China from cells originating in a third-country, but they do apply to panels assembled in third-countries using Chinese cells.

A second set of orders (A-570-010 and C-570-011) was published early this year. These orders specifically apply to panels produced in China from cells originating in a third-country. The Department of Commerce (“DOC”) simultaneously published an ADD order on solar panels and cells from Taiwan, applicable also to third country panels comprised of Taiwanese cells.

ADD/CVD rates on solar panels range from approximately 3% to 250% ad valorem.

The foregoing creates abundant opportunity for confusion in the international trade community and even for CBP as it struggles to enforce what DOC has mandated. More importantly, it brings great potential for serious loss to importers and their sureties – meanwhile, aggravating customs brokers’ exposure to E&O claims and/or penalties for failure to exercise “reasonable care.”

Please contact your Roanoke Bond Service Representatives to obtain approval of any bond involving solar panels, irrespective of country of origin and to present any questions you may have.

DOC cautions importers and others that HTSUS subheadings appearing in DOC notices are provided for convenience and customs purposes only and that their written description of the scope of orders is dispositive. Importers are strongly advised to engage the services of licensed customs brokers and qualified customs attorneys before engaging in trade involving possible ADD/CVD exposures. 

Freight Transportation Services Index hits all-time high

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The Freight Transportation Services Index (TSI), which is based on the amount of freight carried by the for-hire transportation industry, rose 0.2 percent in August from July, rising for the second consecutive month, according to figures released on Oct. 22 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics’ (BTS). The August 2015 index level (123.5) was 30.4 percent above the April 2009 low during the most recent recession    

The level of freight shipments in August measured by the Freight TSI (123.5) was at an all-time high, exceeding the previous high of 123.4 in November 2014.  BTS’ TSI records begin in 2000.  

The Freight TSI measures the month-to-month changes in freight shipments by mode of transportation in tons and ton-miles, which are combined into one index. The index measures the output of the for-hire freight transportation industry and consists of data from for-hire trucking, rail, inland waterways, pipelines and air freight.

The Freight TSI increase was narrower in terms of modes than it often has been; trucking and rail intermodal showed significant gains, while rail carload, aviation freight, and pipeline decreased, and waterborne was stable. Similarly the increase occurred against a background of mixed indicators for the general economy – employment, personal income, and housing starts all increased, while the Federal Reserve Board Industrial Production index fell. 

Dixie Cullen - Newest FTZ Warehouse facility in Houston

We are pleased to announce that Dixie Cullen is now an approved "FTZ"  Foreign Trade Zone, through the Port of Houston.

What is a "FTZ":  I believe that one of the simplest explanations for the "Lay Person" is from Wikipedia. --  A Foreign-trade zone (FTZ) of the United States is a geographical area, in (or adjacent to) a United States Port of Entry, where commercial merchandise,  both domestic and foreign receives the same Customs treatment it would if it were outside the commerce of the United States.  Another Definition of an FTZ states that it is an isolated, enclosed and policed area operated as a public utility, furnished with facilities for loading, unloading, handling and storing  goods and for reshipping them by land, water or air.  Merchandise of every description may be held in the Zone with out being subject to tariffs (customs duties) and other ad valorem taxes.    This tariff and tax relief is designed to lower the costs of US based operations engaged in international trade and thereby create and retain the employment and capital investment opportunities that result from those operations.

There are over 230 Foreign-Trade Zone projects and nearly 400 Subzones in the United States.

Dixie Cullen is considered a Sub-Zone,  Sub Zone # 38,  through the Port of Houston

What is a Sub-Zone?   A Foreign-Trade Subzone is an area approved by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board for use by a specific company.  Foreign-Trade Subzone companies enjoy all the same benefits as Foreign-Trade Zone companies, but subzones are located outside existing general-purpose sites within 60 miles of the Port of entry.  .

For more information about our "FTZ" services please contact us today at  Sales@dixiecullen.com 

Dixie Cullen NEW Member of the SC & RA

Heavy Lift Storage Services has always been one of our Specialities,  and we thought that NOW was the perfect time to join the Speicalized Carriers and Rigging Association

Becoming an active member of the Association will enable us to keep up to date on regulations that may affect not only us,  but our customers.