A look inside our Global Commerce, International Transportation and Trade Course (Shipping 101tm)

Our Shipping 101 training course began in 2004, after we recognized a need to provide clients with a better understanding and knowledge of the ever-changing shipping industry.   The business is always changing—there is no way around it.  We at Artemus anticipate the changes, embrace them and prepare for them.

Benjamin Disraeli once said, “In a progressive country change is constant; change is inevitable.”  

 Our course provides the knowledge that is important to keeping up-to-date with the industry, the regulations, the systems, and so on. Since launching the program in Virginia Beach, VA, we have expanded the training courses from Virginia to New Jersey/New York, Atlanta, Houston and Seattle/Tacoma. We have two upcoming courses in Virginia in August and one in Seattle/Tacoma in September. Dates will be announced shortly.

We recently wrapped up a week at the New Jersey Marine Terminal with maxed-out attendance of 21 students with Anita Carty as the instructor We put a high value on feedback from the attendees, and are really motivated when we hear comments like the following from recent students:

“It is quite obvious that the instructor has had a lot of experience in the industry,” and “The class did meet my expectations, primarily due to the instructor’s ability to swiftly and effectively apply every concept in a pragmatic mode.”

Ed Kelly from the Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ has been sponsoring Shipping 101 in the NY/NJ area since 2007. Students that attend are from a wide-range of sectors: ocean carriers, NVOCC’s, freight forwarders, Port Authority, FMC officials, truckers, importers/exporters, and more.

In fact, one of Ed’s favorite aspects of the course is how well the industry as a whole is represented. According to Ed: “What I think is great is that you can have a shipper sitting next to someone in rail, which presents networking opportunities that you did not expect.”

Attendees get to enjoy an interactive environment with the instructor and fellow students in an informal classroom setting.

We see about 15-20 students sign up for each course. When I say students, there are some students from local colleges but many are entry-level employees have either been asked to take the class by upper-level management or have gotten recommendations from fellow employees.   Students walk away from the course with a better understanding of their company and the industry, enabling them to perform better on the job and improve customer service with clients.

 Albert Einstein said it best “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”

We are committed to providing a comprehensive program that fully prepares our students making them more efficient, more knowledgeable employees. Attendees from the course remarked, “It will help me relate to our business units better and support them more effectively” and “I would recommend it to everyone before their first day on the job.”

Topics include: the Export Process, Equipment Management, Intermodal Transportation and Logistics, Export Documentation, Terminal and Marine Operations and the Import Process.

Students are able to enjoy a port tour mid-week to get a better understanding of what is being taught by seeing the port in person.

You can read details about this course at:

http://www.artemus.us/shipping101.html

Our success stories are what make the course. We hear from students that have taken the course years before and are now working within the industry, many advancing to management level…starting out having never been in the industry before.  When asked about success stories, Steve Pniewski, President/CEO of ARTEMUS talks about two stories, “I had a single mom who was recently divorced and a military spouse so she has just moved to the area, come to me and ask if she could take the course as she wanted to get into the industry.  That was in 2004.  Today, she is a manager at an Ocean Carrier in Norfolk.” 

“Another story is a student who joined our company as an intern, just to work in 100 hours in business.  She took the course in 2009 and is now running the logistics operations of a national freight forwarder/NVOCC in Virginia Beach. Both students believe they could not have accomplished this without that initial introduction to the industry through our course.  We also have been hired by companies such as United Arab Shipping Company, who brought us to their location to teach the course to their employees.”

If you are interested in learning more about the course and when we will be in your area, please contact information@artemus.us or call us directly at 866-744-7101

Until next time, ARTEMUS OUT!

New Partnerships, Business Developments – Outlook for Artemus

It's no secret that when it comes to taking a business to the next level, companies need to look for new deals, partnerships and opportunities for growth.  We at Artemus are no exception.  We knew we had to take it up a notch but we needed to find the right partner to help us do that. 

Up until 2014, we relied on word-of-mouth and our exceptional sales team to build the Artemus brand and grow the business within the highly competitive transportation solutions software and training market.

But how do we build on the success of our sales team's efforts? How do we amplify our Artemus message and generate excitement for our brand? Who speaks our language and understands our mission and how we fit in the marketplace? 

We found the answers in BSY Associates, a full-service public relations, marketing and advertising agency, which has specialized in the transportation industry for 40 years. At the helm of the agency is Barbara Spector Yeninas, a veteran in the transportation business whose passion for the industry may even match my own, which I didn't think was possible. 

It was such an exciting process to collaborate with a like-minded professional to develop a strategic marketing relations program designed to elevate awareness of the Artemus brand. 

Part of what drew me to the agency was our mutual respect for knowledge and experience.  It was quite symbiotic actually--Artemus and BSYA have both grown their respective businesses by providing their clients with unmatched industry expertise in this niche business we call transportation. 

Exciting ventures are ahead. We recently announced the availability of our online training course for Hazardous Certification (read here) and the integration of Japan’s Advanced Filing Rules into our Trade Compliance system (read here). Our new, re-designed website will soon be launched to the public and more announcements to come with our Shipping 101 courses. In addition to those services, we will soon introduce our customs broker services with a licensed customs broker on staff and a national permit to be able to do entries for U.S. cargo. Taking proactive steps in promoting our business has a busy schedule ahead but we look forward to the future and possibilities for Artemus.

Until then, ARTEMUS OUT!

The Future of Customs Brokers: Embracing the Change

Change is often met with a combination of anticipation and dread.  But for the team at Artemus, we are embracing change with excitement about the opportunities and about the unknown.   When I contemplate of the debate about future of Customs Brokers, I think of Bill Gates’ quote:

“This is a fantastic time to be entering the business world because business is going to change more in the next 10 years than it has in the last 50.”

Artemus believes in the huge value of the Customs Broker and the Customs Broker license…now more than ever.  We don't expect the new direction of centralization and advanced technologies to devalue the Customs Broker in any way; quite the opposite, in fact.  But, we write about it as we believe that many in the Customs Broker industry are missing an opportunity to “truly” embrace technology, centralization and improvements upcoming for the Customs Broker business process.   

That is why, within these last two years, Artemus has made a conscious decision to support one of our team members through the rigors of obtaining a broker license as an investment in the future because we see the enormous opportunities for our clients and our overall business approach.

We believe that our industry is at a critical point in its evolution especially in the area of technology, and, in my opinion, progressing in this direction could secure our industry’s relevance in the future of the US economy and, hey, it’s about time!!!

We expect these new developments to have a positive effect:

·         Compliance will be tighter, easier and more consistent, enhancing the value of the Customs Broker, both in knowledge and in technology.

·         Business will be more streamlined and efficient, freeing up overhead costs that could be re-allocated to invest in training, customer support and quality control, which again, enhances the value of the Customs Broker.

·         The Import Process in the US is still very segmented.  Who better to bring it together than the Customs Broker, especially those who are forward thinking and not scared of getting rid of paper, and adding value to the process.

Change Management, a term made famous by Honeywell 20+ years ago, should be a way of thinking and a part of any position description in our industry.  Customs Brokers should make change and change management a way of life, rather than a constant, “here we go again, doesn’t Customs know anything about what we do?”  “Doesn’t everyone see that you can’t change that?”  “You have to keep this separate!”  All quotes we have heard come from the mouths of Customs Brokers over the last 3-5 years.  No position in a business survives that cannot be changed, streamlined, improved or done differently, every 3-5 years. 

Although change is difficult for any well-established industry, we need to remember what Benjamin Franklin said:

“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”

Until next month, ARTEMUS OUT!

Hazardous Cargo Certification Training - What is the cost of NOT having the knowledge to handle these cargos?

Many of our clients and those who we work with in the industry often comment that they feel training does not have a return on investment.  That with the Internet, the resources available to assist and the outsourcing of functions, why should I pay to have someone in my office go get trained on how to properly handle hazardous cargo....just from the perspective of ensuring the proper information is reported to the carriers responsible to carry the cargo?  Heck, the carriers themselves should know what to do, right? 

Well, yes, they should but what can a cargo carrier do if they don't know, what they don't know?  What does a transport company do if they don't know what they are carrying?  What does a packing and/or consolidation facility know how to mark shipments if they are not properly reported?  Finally, how do you, as a shipper, forwarder, broker or the like, know how to properly classify cargo, especially if you don't even know a commodity is hazardous?  How do you know?  TRAINING!!!!

Here are some examples of Hazardous cargo not reported properly, or not classified properly, not marked properly or not even having the proper paperwork......

• Value Jet 1996 - Undeclared Dangerous Goods.  No one knew it was hazardous...
• Shipper improperly offered a class 6.1 Haz Material without proper paperwork, marking, labeling of packages and therefore it was undeclared...no one was trained in the company to handle this.  DOT Penalty paid - $11,500
• Shipper improperly offered hypochlorite solution.  Did not register with PHMSA, no paper mentioned the emergency response numbers.  DOT Penalty paid $3044
• Shipper improperly shipped acetone, not marked, not labeled, no certification, no UN class, no training of staff...DOT Penalty paid - $12,000.

For someone to take two 8 hour days to learn how to properly identify, document, mark, report, placard, classify etc, hazardous cargo and pay a few hundred dollars every three years to ensure that no cargo is shipped without properly classifying and document paperwork could save a company tens of thousands of dollars and in some cases, save lives. 

So, think about this...does your company have someone who is knowledgeable in hazardous cargo identification, classification etc?  If not, suggest getting certified in Hazardous Cargo Handling procedures and classification.  It takes no more than two days every three years to save thousands of dollars and many, many lives. 

Until next month, ARTEMUS OUT!

ARTEMUS Transportation Solutions provides Trade Compliance Web Based Software for Importer Security Filings (ISF, ISF 10+2) and Automated Manifest Filing  (AMS, AMS 24 hour Rule), fully compliant to the new ACE Standard (Automated Commercial Environment for US Customs ) Canadian Customs Automated Commercial Interface (ACI Canadian 24 Hour Rule) and Panama Customs Reporting.  These online products are accessible to all devices and media with Internet Access.  In addition, ATS provides online training and support materials all supporting those who work within international transportation and trade. Check out www.artemus.us for more information.   

The FMC has published Proposed OTI Reform Rules for Comment

This is a MUST READ to all OTI License holders

FMC publishes OTI reform rule notice | AS Daily Newsletter | AS Daily | American Shipper

Some highlights are

1. OTI Licenses will need to be renewed every two years so they will no longer be "non-expiring"
2. There are added requirements/guidelines for those who are OTI applicants Qualifying Individuals
3. The financial requirements for OTI License applicants will change
4. All applications must be submitted electronically.

 The exact details can be found at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/05/31/2013-12429/amendments-to-regulations-governing-ocean-transportation-intermediary-licensing-and-financial

If you need help navigating these changes, want to ask more questions or need help with getting your OTI License, please contact us at spniewski@artemus.us

Until next time, ARTEMUS OUT!

IMPORTER SECURITY FILING - DO IT YOURSELF OR BROKER IT OUT? - THE FACTS

There are still skeptics (like Importers, Freight Forwarders, NVOCC’s)  out there that claim “in order to file an ISF for a shipment, you must utilize a customs broker (obtain a custom house broker) because of their bond”.  This entry is meant to show that this statement is false, an importer or their agent can file using their bond.  Below are some excerpts taken from Customs FAQs on ISFs and bonds which anyone can access on the internet to myth-bust this claim.

Q: How will a bond for an ISF be filed in cases where an importer, or its agent, does not have a continuous bond? How will this actually work? Will there be paperless single transaction bonds for ISF purposes?

A: The Importer Security Filing (ISF)  Importer, or its agent, will need to obtain a bond which may be a continuous bond (type 1, 2, 3 or 4) or an Appendix D stand-alone ISF bond (single-transaction or continuous).

Q: If an agent allows his bond to be obligated, is he considered the ISF Importer with all of the liabilities associated with the ISF filing?

A: If an agent is submitting an Importer Security Filing (ISF) on behalf of another party and the agent posts its own bond, the agent agrees to have its own bond charged if there are breaches of obligations regarding the filing.  However, the IMPORTER remains ultimately liable for the complete, accurate, and timely ISF filing.

Q:  Does the “filing agent” for the importer have to be a Licensed Customs Broker?  Can it be the foreign freight forwarder?  Can the Importer File their own Importer Security Filings?

A: filing agent does not have to be a customs broker except for the case of a “unified filing.”  A foreign freight forwarder can also be a filing agent. An Importer can also set up and file their own Importer Security Filings. 

Q: Does an importer have to have the Importer Security Filing (ISF) stand-alone bond to be an ISF Importer?

A: No. An importer does not have to have the Importer Security Filing (ISF) stand-alone bond to be an ISF Importer.

AND LASTLY

Q: Will US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) accept one bond for the Importer Security Filing (ISF) filing and a second bond for entry? Is this true for a continuous bond as well as Single Transaction Bonds?

A: Yes. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will accept one bond for the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and a separate bond for entry. However, if the Importer Security Filing (ISF) Importer and the Importer of Record are the same party and the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and entry are submitted to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) via the same electronic transmission (“unified filing option”), that party must submit one bond that secures both the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and the entry.

I think the last question and answer reflects when a broker is needed and that is only when (it specifies) a unified entry is made and both are submitted through the same electronic system, therefore one bond secures both the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and the entry.  However US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will accept one bond for the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and a separate bond for the entry as noted above.  All importers are required to have a valid Customs bond in place and this bond can be used to fulfill your ISF bond requirements, thereby allowing you, or your agent to file ISF, providing potential cost savings.

The bond requirements are waived for the following ISF coded transactions:

            Type 3  Household Goods / Personal Effects

            Type 4  Government and Military

            Type 5  Diplomatic

            Type 6  Carnets

            Type 9  International Mail

            Type 11  Informal Shipments

We hope this clarifies the issue for some of you out there who are still unsure.  Please contact ARTEMUS Transportation Solutions if you should have any additional questions or need our services for your own Importer Security Filings (ISF), Automated Manifest Filings (AMS), or Canadian Automated Commercial Interface (ACI) filings.

Until next time, ARTEMUS OUT!

Hazardous Cargo - Do you really need training?

So don't think you need hazardous cargo handling training? This accident was due to a clerical error. Someone, somewhere, probably unemployed now, did not class this cargo correctly. In turn, the stow planners did not stow it correctly. In turn BOOM! Here is the result.

So many in the shipping industry feel they do not need to take training to handle hazardous cargo. But, fork lift drivers have to get certified to handle Hazardous Cargo, warehouse workers needs to know how to pack and placard boxes and your ship planners must understand the consequences of stowing hazardous cargo within a ocean vessel as the elements and/or motion and/or flashpoints of cargo and the location of that cargo on a vessel has serious repercussions...as illustrated above.

All of us in shipping oooh and awwe at pictures like this but maybe someone reading this post was one of those responsible for this.

As we take all the neccesary precautions to ensure safe travel on airplanes, trains, subways, and even our cars...these cargo vessels come into and out of the US in the hundreds and thousands EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Dont be the one to blame for this type of situation. If you handle hazardous cargo, do paperwork for hazardous shipments, help pack and stow this containers and cargos, get certified, get trained and let's try to avoid pictures like this from happening again, not to be forgotten, the cost of the mistake could run into the big bucks! There goes your insurance premiums!

Do you want to take immediate action and get train and certified today?   Just sign up for the ARTEMUS TS online Hazardous Course today 

Until next time, ARTEMUS OUT!