CAF Worldwide

09/18/2020

According to the USTR, Bangladesh's top 2018 “import categories [according to the 2-digit U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule] were: woven apparel [$3.8 billion]; knit apparel [$1.5 billion]; miscellaneous textile articles [$218 million]; headgear [$180 million], and footwear [$130 million].”

Partnering with a freight forwarder boasting a well-established Bangladeshi presence can help shippers capitalize on import growth.
Learn more:

It’s important to evaluate capacity, infrastructure, production costs, competitive ready-made garment landscape, and other challenges when shifting your supply chain to Bangladesh.

09/14/2020

Compared to China, Central America is still an up-and-coming market, but countries such as Guatemala and Mexico are rising in popularity as legitimate alternatives.

Textiles are Guatemala's third-largest exported item, with U.S.-bound supplies projected to surpass $2 billion, according to custom design and manufacturing solutions provider East West Manufacturing.

In 2018, political unrest in Nicaragua led Guatemala to experience a 7% increase, with a “heavy emphasis on knit sweaters and t-shirts,” it reports.
Learn more:

As shippers seek China alternatives to overcome production delays, blank sailings and other bottlenecks, Mexico and Central America are solid choices due to extensive apparel exports, rapid U.S. trade partner growth, and easy intermodal transportation access.

09/04/2020

Freight forwarders can guide shippers on what’s involved with tariffs and how to alleviate some of the additional costs. This could be through such tactics as duty drawback, tariff engineering, production relocation, and as aforementioned, re-evaluating your supply chain processes and costs.

This is especially helpful for apparel and footwear—both of which are already high-tariffed industries, even prior to the recent increases.
Learn more:

Ocean carrier consolidation is leading to increased costs for shippers to transport goods, a burden overcome by working with a freight forwarder well versed in carrier rate negotiations, transportation audits, and tariffs, such as CAF Worldwide.

08/17/2020

Vietnam is a growing trade entity, however with any change, potential obstacles must be addressed.
An experienced freight forwarder with long-term Vietnamese presence can assist with challenges, such as site selection. It can also ascertain whether the shipper’s product can be manufactured in Vietnam with a similar process established in the current production facility. This includes meeting requirements such as environmental and customs regulations, applicable tax rebates, and securing the proper bonds and licenses to accept and store products.
Download CAF’s United States-Vietnam Trade Snapshot to learn more: https://hubs.ly/H0tDd8G0

08/14/2020

Just as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has transformed the way we work and socialize, it has also left lasting impacts on world trade, shipping and logistics, and ocean and air freight transportation.

Learn more about key insights from top industry executives as they grapple with COVID-19’s continuous effects and changes:

Supply chain and logistics thought leaders share what they’ve been experiencing, hearing, and seeing within novel coronavirus (COVID-19) industry changes and challenges.

08/07/2020

U.S.-based manufacturing can result in more expeditious production times to meet project deadlines, development, and shipping requirements. Closer proximity to manufacturers’ headquarters eliminates international site visits. This also removes lengthy delays and backlogs, and promotes faster responses to problematic issues.

Revitalized U.S. manufacturing and production does also come with challenges—the most prominent being higher costs. Skilled labor commands a premium, with U.S. minimum wages far above those of Asia, South America, and Central America.

Learn more:

Ongoing tariff wars, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) production delays, and blank sailings could fuel a U.S.-based manufacturing resurgence.

07/31/2020

Whether you require assistance within your production country, or seek to transition from tariff-laden China, for example, an experienced, well-connected freight forwarder can help.

New relationships demand additional processes, such as quality-control inspections, production relocation, and skilled labor acquisition.

Freight forwarders provide these and other services, including cargo examination for quick and accurate shipments; priority loading space; and later cut-off times, for last-minute shipments. In-house customs brokerage also wields substantial leverage.
Learn more:

Working with an experienced freight forwarder during challenging times is vital for customs clearance, shipping documentation, insurance, and supply chain management—resulting in lower costs, greater efficiencies, and invaluable relationships.

07/24/2020

Even with Chinese production increases, COVID-19’s ongoing world trade impact has led to port volume and throughput downturn trajectories.

The supply chain has also experienced challenges. These include initial volume reduction; sourcing changes; increased personal protective equipment exports; and continued U.S. trade conflicts with the EU, China, and others.
Click below to learn about these, and other legal insights affecting shipping and logistics:

Newly recommended novel coronavirus (COVID-19) federal regulations and accompanying legal benchmarks are expected to alter current trade and transportation landscapes for ports, carriers, and others.

07/20/2020

With China the longtime stronghold, Bangladesh isn’t far behind, especially within apparel.

According to an article titled “What Makes Bangladesh—A Hub of Garment Manufacturing?” by Stitch Diary, an educational blog for the apparel industry by expert Mausmi Ambastha, published on online social platform Medium: “Bangladesh is the world’s second largest Readymade Garment (RMG) exporter, just behind China. Country’s 81% of exports come from the RMG sector, and the textile and apparel sector contributes around 20% to Bangladesh’s GDP.”

Learn how CAF Worldwide can help you discover Bangladeshi supply-chain options:

It’s important to evaluate capacity, infrastructure, production costs, competitive ready-made garment landscape, and other challenges when shifting your supply chain to Bangladesh.

07/17/2020

Proper supply chain planning and transition can help shippers recover from current setbacks, such as tariff wars, consistent blank sailings, record-breaking delays, increased pricing, and COVID-19.

Learn more:

Proper supply chain planning and transition can help shippers recover from current setbacks, such as tariff wars, consistent blank sailings, record-breaking delays, increased pricing, and COVID-19.

07/13/2020

A freight forwarder, through predictive modeling, can examine losses by specific shipment and product to determine future expectations. They can also include risk assessors, such as ISO 28000 security certifications, for example, which help logistics companies verify the product was shipped safely and on time.

Swift communication and established relationships also help identify unexpected theft patterns.
Learn more: https://hubs.ly/H0qrQSn0

07/09/2020

American Shipper recently reported freight volume upswing and continued improvements. It also noted the softening of 105 previously predicted trans-Pacific blank sailings. There were only 26 cancellations as of mid-June.

While we still have a long journey ahead, remaining positive and strong will sustain our industry through 2020 and beyond.

Learn more about these, and other emerging industry trends when you download the latest edition of the CAF Worldwide Quarterly Forecast.

Freight volume upswing, supply chain planning and transitions, and fewer trans-Pacific sailing cancellations will position the industry for emerging growth.