Volume 1, Issue 4

November 19, 2013

Quarterly Newsletter
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
10 Reasons for Exporting What is Map-21? ISF and U.S. CBP Enforcement Update (continued) 3 Benchmark and Friends Food Drive Referral Program 4 4 2 2

Our Improved Import Department!

Benchmark Export Services, Inc. is pleased and excited to announce that Pickering Customhouse Brokers Inc. have joined our staff to form a full service Customs Brokerage and Freight Forwarding firm here at Benchmark. Ed Pickering brings his 35 years of experience as a Customhouse Broker along with Elinor Scholz and her 15 years of experience as an import specialist. We are looking forward to using our combined abilities and experience to assist all of our clients. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has approved the Customhouse Brokers license which allows us to operate under the name of Benchmark Export Services, Inc.

We have worked together with Ed and Elinor at Pickering Customhouse Brokers for many years. They have provided excellent import services while sharing our values and goals for our clients along with a commitment to quality personalized services. This common attitude and shared experience is a great fit, and we are looking forward to providing these additional services to assist our clients as they work

with and serve their customers and suppliers around the world. Benchmark Export Services, Inc. is looking forward to serving you! We welcome your questions and concerns on international logistics, insurance, letters of credit, warehousing, specialized freight and packing services, and also Customhouse Brokerage.

ISF and U.S. CBP Enforcement Update

The ISF (Importer Security Filing) regulations started in 2006. Back in 2009, we advised our clients and colleagues abroad of the U.S. mandatory compliance with the ISF program. The program requires that all imports into the U.S. by sea freight have an ISF prior to sailing from the foreign port. For years, importers have been on Informed Compliance; where CBP has been evaluating importer and broker compliance. In July of 2013, we advised that CBP was beginning the Enforcement Phase. Continued on Page 3

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Quarterly Newsletter

10 Reasons for Exporting

Thinking about exporting or expanding your exports? I was recently asked by a colleague at the Port of Philadelphia to come up with 10 reasons why companies should consider exporting and in turn, they could encourage potential clients to export through the Port of Philadelphia. I compiled my list and it is included for your consideration. If you are not currently exporting, I hope our list will encourage you to start. If you are currently exporting; I hope our list encourages you to expand your export business. Our List 1. More customers and clients. As of today there are 313.9 million people in the USA and 7.108 Billion in the world. More people and more opportunity awaits in the world markets. Can help businesses subject to seasonal slowdowns. 2. More profit. More clients for most companies generally translate to more opportunities to serve customers and more profits. 4. Longer product lifecycle. If your product is losing market share due to technology or other factors that limit products lifecycle; exporting could lengthen the products lifecycle by developing new customers in emerging markets. 9. Benefits your firm and others. Exporting benefits you and your company, but also the local markets that you operate in, your region and the country as a whole. Exports are a well known driver of many positive economic indicators. Many things that are learned and developed internationally can further serve your domestic clients with improved products and services.

Increasing
productivity and economies of scale.

3. Improved cash flow. Many USA exporters are paid by wire transfers in advance or under letters of credit resulting in a drastically improved cash not only increases productivity, but will flow versus domestic sales. allow for greater economies of scale.

5. Desire internationally for USA goods and services. USA goods and services are perceived as quality and are sought after. You and your company can greatly impact and service developed and developing markets and clients 10. Many quality service providers to with quality USA goods and services. assist. The Philadelphia region has many capable and quality Freight 6. Broaden your customer base. Forwarders and Customhouse brokers, Exporting can reduce your business steamship and vessel operators, risks by developing alternative markets, terminal and warehouse operators, should a slow down or disruption occur along with international bankers, in your domestic market. insurance, and government and trade organizations that are willing to assist 7. Can help businesses subject to companies start exporting and assisting seasonal slowdowns. Exporting allows in growing exports (All ports as we have you to sell to other markets that are colleagues in most major ports in the complimentary to your domestic US and the world). customer and clients seasons. I welcome the opportunity to hear 8. Increasing productivity and from you and any comments. What are economies of scale. Exporting, and your major reasons for exporting? growing your customer base and What are your greatest benefits? What extending your product life cycles and are your biggest concerns? What is avoiding seasonal downturn, allows you to staff and schedule in a manner that holding you back from starting? By: Scott Hoffman, President

What is MAP-21?
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, the U.S. Government has come out with a new law and requirements that affect domestic transportation of goods. The requirements were to begin on October 1, 2013 and were to be met by the November 1, 2013 deadline. The FMCSA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, has been charged with the administration of the laws. The following is a general synopsis of this law. The basic areas of concern are that the carriers, transportation brokers, Customs brokers and freight forwarders have the proper authorities and bonds in place to safeguard the shipping public. The bonding requirements include an additional $75,000.00 separate bond. There are some other regulatory requirements that also must be met. Continued on Page 3

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ISF and U.S. CBP Enforcement Update Continued from Page 1

To avoid fines and penalties, the ISF information must be filed 24 hours prior to export from the foreign port and must have complete and accurate information. Violations are subject to a $5,000.00 per bill of lading penalty. Most of our importers are up to date on this requirement and have been working towards full compliance with their suppliers to provide the required information on time. We will continue to assist you in gathering this information and proceeding with submission as soon as possible, but please continue to remain informed and diligent with your suppliers and vendors. Exporters and clients that import on a less frequent basis must also be aware of the ISF requirements. Returns and/or damaged items should not be sent back to the U.S. by vessel without prior authorization from your company. This notice will allow you to arrange setting up the return as you are responsible for the ISF information to be submitted to CBP. Controlling the shipment is the best way to insure that the ISF is filed completely and on time. Importers should also be aware of the bond requirements for the ISF. If it is incomplete or post sailing, a single entry bond cannot be put in place and bonding companies have been requiring a $10,000.00 cash bond. To avoid this requirement we strongly suggest that all importers have their own continuous bonds. Assistance with continuous bonds or questions on ISF requirements, please contact our import team.

What is MAP-21? Continued from Page 2

We have met the regulatory requirements and have the required bond in place. Further to this when our clients request Benchmark to provide inland carriage and transportation, we are working with excellent transportation firms. We have the insurance liability certificates on file, and the firms have been advised of our safety and security requirements which they have confirmed they are in compliance of. We want to ensure our clients the U.S. government requirements have been met and that we take the safety and security of your cargo seriously. As the requirements continue to increase, it is important for you all to realize what is behind your transportation. The regulations, the enforcement, and the entire program is still not completely refined, but it does carry fines and penalties. We will continue to monitor the government program, our vendors, and industry partners to meet our clients requirements and expectations. We will keep you informed of changes to the regulations and requirements as issued. U.S. government requirements have been met and that we take the safety and security of your cargo seriously.

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Quarterly Newsletter

Benchmark and Friends Food Drive

This year, Benchmark and Friends are joining forces with 93.3 WMMRs morning show, Preston and Steve for their annual Camp Out for Hunger event. regions largest hunger relief organization. They work with 500 agencies, including food cupboards, churches, social service agencies, shelters, and emergency kitchens. Working with our clients, vendors, friends, and families, our goal is to help those in need especially during the winter season. If youd like more information on how to participate in this event, please call or email us today. Donations can be dropped off at our office Monday thru Friday, 7am to 4pm. Our deadline for donations is November th 27 . We will be delivering all items the nd week of December 2 to the Camp Out for Hunger event at Xfinity Live.

Our office location: 108 Erickson Avenue Suite A Essington, PA 19029

We are collecting non perishable food items the month of November to support our local food bank, Philabundance. Philabundance is the

Did you hear about our Referral Program?

Keep a look out for the next issue of our Quarterly Newsletter!
Would you like the chance to receive a $50.00 Visa Gift Card from your friends at Benchmark Export Services? Heres how! For every client you refer to Benchmark Export Services and the customer books a shipment through us, we will send you a $50.00 Visa Gift Card! To claim your referral, please have the customer calling or emailing us to include your full name and company name. As a client of Benchmark Export Services, we would like to say thank you for your continued support!

Contact Information
Would you like to add someone to our distribution list? Please send an email to Cwalsh@benchmarkexport.com and we will make sure to add them to our list for all future newsletters!
Telephone number: Toll free number: Fax number: (610) 521-9100 (800) 355-1285 (610) 521-6096

Air freight: Ocean freight: Import: General Inquiries: Visit our Website:

Air@benchmarkexport.com Ocean@benchmarkexport.com Import@benchmarkexport.com Info@benchmarkexport.com www.benchmarkexport.com

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