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Customs bonds and ATA Carnets are two options for saving money on your shipment to the U.S. Both options serve as a security for payment of fees, duties and taxes, as well as compliance with U.S. law. The bond is meant to protect the U.S. government in case an importer fails to pay penalties and duties after the release of goods or when they are in CBP custody. It also speeds up the clearance. Obtaining a customs bond may be a vital part of international tradeshow shipping to the U.S.

If you don’t properly prepare for the bond, you could face serious problems. It is crucial to ensure that it meets specific minimum requirements. Your shipment cannot clear U.S. customs if the bond is not executed correctly.

Types of Customs Bonds

Single Entry Bond
This type of customs bond covers only one custom entry. The bonds are calculated on the value of duties, merchandise, taxes, and fees. Typically, the cost of this type of bond is based on the total value of the merchandise.

Continuous Bond
This bond covers all entries made by the importer at U.S. ports of entry. $50,000 is the minimum liability charge for a continuous bond. The validity of these bonds is 1 year. If you have either high value items or plan to ship multiple times to U.S. shows this option may be best.

Important tip: If you are a regular shipper, develop your account relationship with CBP. Having a clean record with customs will help speed up clearance in some cases.

Why Importers Need a Customs Bond

When importing, you are only sure of taxes and duties. The government requires you to have a bond, so it guarantees your taxes and duties are paid even when your company can’t pay due to extreme events, such as bankruptcy. Bonds cover all shipments traveling by truck, air or water. If you are not covered, you may encounter severe delays or face fines.

How to Choose a Bond Provider for Your International Tradeshow Shipping Needs

Not all customs bonds are created equal, whether your volume suggests a Single-transaction Bond or a Continuous Bond. The insurance carrier sets the cost of your bond, not customs. If you are planning for international tradeshow shipping, it is advisable to purchase bonds through reputable and highly knowledgeable providers. Doing so will not only allow you to obtain competitive rates, but will also give you peace of mind.

Choosing a bond depends on how often you import goods. A Single-transaction Bond is an excellent choice if you occasionally import (less than 3 times annually). The best investment for those who ship frequently is the Continuous Bond.

Understanding customs bonds and ATA Carnets can be complicated, which is why it’s beneficial to work with an international tradeshow shipping company, as they can handle all documentation for you. Contact us today at 702-800-6385 to get a quote.

Deadlines are crucial in tradeshows, and you need to be able to trust your materials will be delivered in time for the event. However, unforeseen circumstances may occur, and your shipment may be delayed due to factors like inadequate paperwork, port congestion or airfreight capacity issues. For successful tradeshow shipping, below are tips on what to do in case of delays, and how to avoid them in the future.

What to Do When Your Tradeshow Shipping Material Delays

1. Consult Your Show Management about Your Options
In case of delay, contact your show management team to find out what options are there for last-minute situations such as yours. Ask the management if they allow direct deliveries to the venue on the morning of the tradeshow. By talking to the show management team, you get to know how long you have, so you can arrange for the materials to be delivered smoothly.

2. Contact Your Carrier
Delayed delivery of your display materials may be due to a variety of reasons, a few examples include inadequate paperwork at customs, or there may be congestion or traffic problems at the port. The best way to know is by contacting your carrier about the situation and what you need to do to resolve it. For paperwork, you can email the required documents while congestion and capacity delays will need to be addressed by your carrier directly. Communicating with your carrier helps you know the progress of your cargo and what steps are being taken to correct the situation.

3. Wait
Sometimes, customs may take longer than expected. In such a situation, and others like lack of airfreight capacity, the only option you have is to wait for your exhibition materials to be cleared before they can be delivered. Therefore, it is important to ship your items as early as possible. A tradeshow shipping company like AMR Group will be able to help ensure the process goes smoothly.

4. Find Alternative Displays
When waiting is not an option, display alternatives are your best bet. Ask your show management team if you can find temporary or rental displays to use during the event. You can also have your graphics printed and set up on banners. If you are out of time to wait, it may be best to reach out to the official show exhibit builder. You can usually find out who this is by reviewing your exhibitor manual or asking show management.

How to Avoid Tradeshow Shipping Delays

Most delays occur due to flaws in shipping preparations. Here’s how you can avoid the inconvenience of delayed deliveries.

• Provide all necessary documentation required for your tradeshow shipping company and ensure they are accurately filled out.
• Clearly label your goods and provide accurate details on the size, material and intended use.
• Provide the right address, zip code and booth number to avoid your materials goods being delivered to the wrong destination.
• Give a time allowance. When planning for delivery, set an earlier delivery date (but not too early), so you are not “down to the wire” if there are delays.
• Work with an experienced international freight forwarder. It eases your shipping process as the freight forwarder will take care of the shipping requirements on your behalf.

If you are looking for an international tradeshow shipping partner who’s both reliable and experienced, contact AMR Group today at 702-800-6385 for all your shipping needs and ensure your goods are delivered on time!

Hurricanes, snow storms, typhoons, and flooding can wreak havoc on your international tradeshow shipping plans. As we’re right in the middle of extreme weather season, here are some best practices for shipping during storms.

International Tradeshow Shipping in Extreme Weather

Today, shipping disruptions from extreme weather are 30% higher than they were just 7 years ago, and they can have a serious impact on your ability to do business, including exhibiting at tradeshows. As extreme weather events become more widespread, it pays to take steps to be prepared and lessen their impact.

How to Prepare for Inclement Weather

• Keep in mind the damage from a storm or other disaster is not isolated to where it occurs. These kinds of disasters can have a ripple effect that can reach thousands of miles away from the impact area. Damage can occur to roads, airports and seaports, delaying delivery of your exhibit items.
• Stay in communication with your tradeshow and events freight forwarder. If severe weather conditions are predicted during the time your shipment is in transit, discuss what alternative methods and routes are available for getting your goods to the venue on time.
• If it’s not your initial method of transportation, determine if air freight is a viable option.

Ultimately, every time you ship freight, there is some degree of risk. It can be devastating, not to mention expensive, if you’re forced to exhibit without your exhibit materials. That’s why choosing the proper freight forwarder with extensive experience in tradeshow exhibit shipments is so important. Your freight forwarder is an integral member of your tradeshow team, one whose role is to “steady the ship” when problems occur and be available to assist when you need them.

Since 2011, AMR Group has been handling the international tradeshow shipping needs for businesses big and small. We ship to more than 60 countries and have an international network of partners who are dedicated to tradeshow and event shipping. We can help you track extreme weather events, make recommendations for the best shipping options and provide you with the peace of mind that comes with having your exhibit materials in the right hands. Contact us at 702-800-6385

Connecting with the right target audience is as important goal when picking out tradeshows and events to exhibit at. Tradeshows help build a strong contact email database and boost sales for your company because everyone who is at the trade show is there to seek out services your business offers. You just need to know how to take full advantage of tradeshows and make them worth your time. Here are a handful of suggestions. 

Do Your Research
Most importantly, do your research. Look at the different tradeshows throughout the year, and make sure you’re selecting the right ones for your business. Understand what the tradeshow is, which companies are attending or have attended in the past (oftentimes, big names in your industry will increase the turnout) and whether those in attendance are your major target audience. If the event doesn’t check off all your requirements, look for another event that does. 

Consider Using Associated Hotels
While associated hotels may cost more, it may be beneficial to stay at one for the various networking benefits, as many attendees will book a room closest to the tradeshow venue. You’ll find you’re more likely to mingle and sell products during the after-event cocktail hour than on the busy tradeshow floor. 

Dress for the Event 

If you’re selling custom toys at a comic convention, you probably don’t want to show up in a tuxedo (unless, of course, it’s a custom tuxedo designed after a popular comic book character). That being said, we recommend dressing appropriately for the particular event and industry.

Register Early
There are two advantages of registering early. First, you will have a better selection of booth locations. Select a booth that is clearly visible, has high foot traffic and is large enough (or small enough) for your signs and presentation materials. This way, you won’t need to settle for a booth that doesn’t fit your needs. Second, it is typically less expensive if you register early. Early bird specials can save you hundreds of dollars.

Each of these points will help you maximize your tradeshow potential. However, you need to make sure your tradeshow displays and presentation material arrives at the correct location on time and in one piece. This is where AMR Group comes in. As a trusted event logistics & global freight forwarder, we work with you to make sure all of your tradeshow materials arrive on time and within budget. Contact us at +1-702-800-6385 to learn more.

Just in time for the largest sporting event in the world Brazil has started accepting ATA Carnets for temporary importation of professional equipment and exhibitions.  The use of this type of internationally recognized document (which allows goods to enter the country on a temporary basis without paying heavy import tariffs or duty and tax) will be limited as the program is rolled out around the country but, we hope its introduction will encourage foreign participation at Brazil’s hundreds of events and tradeshows each year.

Brazil hosts many international cultural, political, sporting events, conferences, and trade shows every year. By adopting the ATA Carnet system, Brazil is making it much easier for U.S. exporters to participate and exhibit at these events. Brazil is the largest economy in South America, the 8^th largest in the word and the United States’ 11^th largest goods export market. Modern infrastructure and facilities as well as a population of 193 million makes this market very attractive to U.S. exporters and investors.

AMR Group can arrange ATA Carnet’s for our customers as well as guiding your event and tradeshow shipments to their final destination on time, every time!  Brazil’s announcement should reduce transit times and costs in the future.

With this great news we look forward to providing you with ATA Carnets to Brazil! Contact AMR Group Inc today and be the first to enter Brazil on an ATA Carnet! You can reach us at +1-702-800-6385 or by email at info@amrworldwide.com.