We are hosting the PA Authorized Trade Representatives on Monday, September 19 at the Governor's Residence. The representatives are available to meet one-on-one with companies to discuss market entry, expansion, regulatory concerns, and much more.

There is no cost to attend, thanks to our event sponsors, but registration is required due to the security needs of the Governor's Residence. Early registration is recommended since the limited one-on-one meetings are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Click here for more details and to register.

Congrats, Pamela!

WTC Board Member, Pamela Shupp, named President & CEO of the Greater Reading Economic Partnership

Pamela J. Shupp, AICP CEcD, joined the organization in 2006 as Director of Economic Development and most recently served as Vice President. During her tenure with the organization she has managed economic development leads and prospects and served as a liaison to real estate brokers, developers, corporate relocation specialists, site selection consultants, and municipalities to promote new and existing business growth in Berks County.

Click here to read the press release.

SOLAS Information

by Stuart Tobin & Ethan Tobin, Thunderbolt Global Logistics

Effective July 1st, 2016, a new regulation from SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) took effect requiring shippers whose name appears on the bill of lading to verify the gross mass (VGM) of a container carrying cargo. There are 171 International Maritime Organization (IMO) member countries and 3 associate members who now require this declaration. Many carriers have advised they will apply a "no VGM, no load" policy from July 1st, 2016. Submission of VGM can be done by the shipper or freight forwarder.

There are 2 methods to obtain the VGM of a container:

Method 1: Upon the conclusion of packing & sealing the container, the shipper/3rd party may weigh the packed container.
Method 2: The shipper/3rd party may weigh all packages and cargo items, including the mass of pallets, dunnage and other packing and securing material to be packed in the container and add the tare weight of the container.

Click here to read Thunderbolt's entire news article.

Customs Valuation Issues for Imports into China

by Ted Murphy, Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP

China recently amended its customs declaration requirements to capture new information that may make it easier for the General Administration of Customs to target potential customs valuation issues. Specifically, importers are now required to identify whether the buyer and the seller are related; whether that relationship influenced the price charged; and whether the importer is making any royalty payments. A client alert my colleagues in China prepared on these changes may be found here.

Given the increased scrutiny China Customs has paid to related party transactions and the payment of royalties in recent years, we expect that the new declaration requirements will only intensify this trend. If you are importing into China, you need to be aware of these issues and be sure they are adequately addressed (e.g., have you confirmed whether royalties are being paid and, if so, whether they are dutiable for customs purposes?).

Catch Up on our Blog Posts

5th Year for the PA Pavilion at the Summer Fancy Food Show

The Fancy Food Show is North America's largest show for the specialty food and beverage industry.

This year had a record breaking number of attendees since the show's 1954 inception. More than 47,000 specialty food professionals filled the exhibit halls (equal to 6 football fields) and there were over 2,670 exhibitors from 55 countries.

The Pennsylvania Pavilion included 13 companies, with 4 from our southcentral region:

Nearly 60 PA companies exhibited throughout the show.

Click here to continue reading.

Hannah Joins Core PA on the Mining, Oil & Gas Tour

WTC partner CORE PA Global hosted a tour in June for seven journalists to showcase Pennsylvania companies involved in the mining, oil and gas field. The tour took place in the western part of the state, beginning in Berlin and ending in New Castle. Hannah accompanied the tour for the week as a Core PA Representative.

Click here to continue reading.