2010 Changes to Schedule B and HTS Numbers
Posted by admin in Compliance on January 5th, 2010
AES Broadcast 01/04/2010 Broadcast # 2010001
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2010 Schedule B and HTS Numbers - Effective Immediately
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Effective immediately, the Schedule B and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tables in the AES have been updated to accept the changes to the 2010 codes.
AES will accept shipments with outdated 2009 codes during a grace period for 30 days beyond the expiration date of December 31, 2009. Reporting an outdated 2009 code after the 30 day grace period will result in a fatal error.
The AESDirect program has been updated with the 2010 codes and will accept shipments with outdated 2009 codes during the grace period as well.
All AESPcLink users must update their AESDirect code tables to reflect the 2010 changes in Schedule B and HTS. Web users of AESDirect who file via the website at www.aesdirect.gov will have their code tables updated via the program automatically.
The 2010 Schedule B and HTS tables are available for downloading at:
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/index.html#concordance
The current list of HTS codes that are not valid for AES are available at:
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/documentlibrary/hts-not-for-aes.html
For further information or questions, contact the U.S. Census Bureau’s AES Branch at 1-800-549-0595, menu option 1 or at askaes@census.gov or online at www.census.gov/trade.
New AgileElite Version Features Multi-Rating Capability
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on October 21st, 2009
The latest release of AgileElite (6.5.5) enables shippers to calculate and manage multiple rates for a single shipping transaction. The following are useful applications for this feature:
- Shipping charge markups: AgileElite can be configured to calculate the negotiated discounted rate for a carrier service, and also calculate a rate for the same service marked up by a flat rate or % or both and charge that amount back to customers. This allows businesses to turn their shipping operations into profit centers.
- Conditional markups: AgileElite can be configured to markup (or mark down) rates according to specific conditions or business rules (based on customer, weight, ship-from location, lane, etc.)
- Ground vs. Air: some businesses need to offer ground rates but ship via air to compete with suppliers closer to their customers. AgileElite can be configured to rate and ship by an expedited parcel or freight services, but report a less expensive ground rate back to the order management system.
- “What if…”: thinking about a new carrier service? AgileElite can be configured to rate and ship by your existing parcel and freight carrier, but track what those shipment would have cost with another carrier. Reports provide a clear picture of opportunity costs: comparing carrier costs over time.
- Preferred customer discounts: charge back a discounted carrier rate to reward customer loyalty.
The new multi-rating capability is scheduled for release October 26th.
Agile Network Enters into UPS Agreement to Provide Systems Integration Services
Agile Network, LLC. announced today that it is participating in the UPS Ready program, entering into an agreement with UPS that will increase the availability of UPS technology integration service options for businesses interested in automating and streamlining transportation and
fulfillment processes.
Steve Cooper, founding member of Agile-Network had this to say about the new agreement with UPS: “For many years Agile Network engineers have implemented and automated UPS shipping for over 1,000 businesses. Agile is a market leader in helping UPS customers ship faster and more accurately, while taking advantage of UPS’ wide range of services. Agile is pleased to be working so closely with UPS.”
“Agile’s participation in the UPS Ready program enables UPS customers to enjoy additional system integration options for UPS’s multi-modal shipping software, ConnectShip,” said Scott Wadsworth, Technology Manager at UPS.
ConnectShip software creates multi-modal shipping manifests and labels, providing seamless access to shipping functionality throughout the order pipeline, from order entry to the warehouse and customer service.
FedEx Announces January 2010 Rate Change
Posted by admin in Insights, Uncategorized on September 25th, 2009
On Wednesday September 9th unemployment reached approximately 10% in the US and the current economic downturn has been so severe many are labeling it “The Great Recession”. A few days later FedEx announced it will increase rates about 6% in January 2010 and it’s likely UPS will follow.
In the midst of the Great Recession, Automobile companies have had to offer two month free trials, refunds if you lose your job, 0% financing for 6 years and lower their prices significantly to attract and keep customers. Many other industries understand raising prices today could have a disastrous result, but not FedEx and UPS where it’s business as usual.
How can these companies justify an increase of this magnitude, one that is probably three times inflation? Very easily, because their customers have become used to annual increases and now helplessly accept them, many don’t even know or care.
If the price of gas, cigarettes, milk or taxes go up American’s become angry and scramble to figure ways around them but when their parcel carriers raise rates they ignore and accept it. The good news is for those interested in controlling or even reducing transportation spend there are more methods available than ever before.
Next year some companies will reduce their UPS / FedEx costs and tell their carrier they are not going to take it. When carrier reps. tell you increases are unavoidable and there’s nothing you can do about it you can now confidently tell and show them they are dead wrong.
How is this possible? Call Agile Network, they are UPS/FedEx experts each with over twenty years experience. Agile offers over ten new methods of lowering transportation costs and has a partnership/alliance network that is second to none; if they can’t help you lower costs they will work for free! What have you got to lose?
Jim LeRose – Agile NYC Metro - Principal Agile Network, formerly Pitney Bowes Distribution Solutions Logistics Director/ VP, industry spokesperson and customer advocate. Jim has been helping customers reduce transportation costs since 1984. You can follow Jim at twitter.com/jimlerose.
Direct 201.230.1284
FedEx Ship Manager® API Outage
Posted by admin in Compliance on July 23rd, 2009
July 2009
Please be advised of the following important announcement from FedEx.
Between July 13, 2009 and July 15, 2009, FedEx Ship Manager® API and FedEx Ship Manager® Direct customers may have been impacted by rating incidents which were caused by an issue with a hardware device. While the hardware device was not in a “failed state,” it was causing sporadic problems with the transaction stream.
Please be assured that FedEx is taking this incident very seriously. We regret any inconvenience that this issue may have caused. If you have any questions or need further technical assistance, please send an e-mail to websupport@fedex.com.
Thank you for choosing FedEx. We appreciate your business.
The FedEx Compatible Solutions Program Team
Cap and Trade Legislation May Add Shipper Compliance Requirement
Posted by admin in Compliance, Education, Insights on July 15th, 2009
The House passed the “Cap and Trade” bill that will require businesses to pay a tax on excessive carbon emissions. Those with lower carbon footprints would be allowed to trade tax credits with those with higher footprints. This means that businesses would need to track emissions in areas such as transportation in order to accurately meet Federal tax reporting requirements.
The bill is expected to face significant opposition in the Senate.
The impact on the shipping system industry is clear: systems would need to be designed to measure carbon footprints for all shipments based on weight, miles, and mode of shipment and report this back to financial accounting systems.
Adrian Gonzalez provides an excellent analysis of this issue at:
http://logisticsviewpoints.com/2009/06/29/cap-and-trade-bill-passes-house/
FedEx Web-API Outage
Posted by admin in Compliance on June 29th, 2009
Temporary Service Interruption in the Production Environment
Due to routine system maintenance to the FedEx production environment, there will be a temporary service interruption on Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 9 p.m. CDT to 1 a.m. CDT Sunday, July 5, 2009. Customers using FedEx Web Services, FedEx Ship Manager® API and FedEx Ship Manager® Direct solutions will be unable to process transactions within the production environment during this time.
Please ensure that your appropriate team members are aware of this update.
We regret any inconvenience. If you have any questions or need technical assistance, please send an e-mail to websupport@fedex.com.
CTSI Enhances On-Demand Global Logistics Management System with AgileElite Execution Technology
Posted by admin in CTSI Solutions, News, Partners on June 16th, 2009
Continental Traffic Services Inc., ”CTSI”, a leading provider of Freight Audit and Payment Services, as well as On-Demand Transportation Management solutions, completed its successful integration of AgileElite Execution Technology into its newly enhanced Global Logistics Management Suite. CTSI can now provide a robust Supplier Collaboration Portal that spans Motor Freight, Air, Ocean, Rail and Parcel Execution capabilities.
For over 50 years CTSI has been providing supply chain management solutions that combine experience, knowledge and technology. CTSI is a valuable resource to companies by helping them manage and control all aspects of their supply chain - physical, informational, and financial. The end results are improved shipping efficiencies, greater control, and significant ongoing savings for both clients and carriers.
“Our existing TMS solution did a fine job of providing our clients with a system to handle their LTL and Truckload shipments. Now with AgileElite technology we have been able to offer our clients a complete system for all modes including the execution on of their small package shipments,” said Brian Scott, VP TMS Solutions.
“We’re known for providing high quality services to hundreds of clients globally. The Agile solution further links our clients with the latest in supply chain technology,” stated J. Kenneth Hazen, CTSI’s President and CEO.
CTSI’s IT staff is comfortable supporting mission critical functions using AgileElite SOA technology. “Agile’s team has been in this business nearly as long as we have and their industry expertise and uncanny ability to deliver is beyond our expectation,” Scott said. “They speak our language. When I first met Agile’s staff, I sensed their commitment to maintaining a true partnership. They have proven they can provide all the support we need going forward.”
“We are pleased that CTSI recognizes the value in our products and services,” stated Joseph Mulready, Executive Director of Agile Network. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership, as we continue to support CTSI’s growing technology needs. The synergies between our two companies have been so compelling that we’ve moved ahead to incorporate CTSI’s capabilities into both our Enterprise and OnDemand solutions. This provides all of our customers with the visibility and control they need to keep them reduce transportation and improve delivery.”
When is UPS contract up with teamsters?
Posted by admin in Ask the Network on June 12th, 2009
Does anyone know when the contract is up?
AES Direct Response
Posted by admin in Compliance on June 12th, 2009
AES Direct service for electronic SED filings seems to slow down at the end of every month. What is everyone else seeing out there?