Freight Forwarder: What They Do and How to Choose One
Supplier Vetting & Sourcing • 7 min read • 10/29/2026

Freight Forwarder: What They Do and How to Choose One

A freight forwarder books cargo space, handles documentation, and coordinates carriers, customs, and warehouses. Here's how they work and how to choose one.

Daniel R. Whitfield
Customs Clearance: Steps, Documents and Timelines
Customs Clearance & Import Duties • 9 min read • 10/29/2026

Customs Clearance: Steps, Documents and Timelines

Customs clearance explained: the steps, documents and timelines behind releasing imported goods, plus how classification, valuation and origin affect duties.

Daniel R. Whitfield
Importer of Record: Who It Is and What They Are Responsible For
Customs Clearance & Import Duties • 10 min read • 10/29/2026

Importer of Record: Who It Is and What They Are Responsible For

Who is legally liable for imports? Learn what the importer of record does, why a forwarder isn't the IOR, and where customs duty and penalty risk falls.

Daniel R. Whitfield
FOB Meaning: What Free on Board Means for Importers
Incoterms & Delivery Terms • 8 min read • 10/29/2026

FOB Meaning: What Free on Board Means for Importers

FOB (Free on Board) explained for importers: where risk passes, who pays freight and insurance, and the costly misreadings to avoid.

Daniel R. Whitfield
Incoterms: A Beginner's Guide for Importers
Incoterms & Delivery Terms • 7 min read • 10/29/2026

Incoterms: A Beginner's Guide for Importers

Incoterms 2020 explained for importers: the eleven rules, who pays freight and customs, when risk passes, and the four you actually need on a purchase order.

Daniel R. Whitfield
Incoterms & Delivery Terms: Who Pays, Who Risks, and Who Clears Customs
Incoterms & Delivery Terms • 8 min read • 10/29/2026

Incoterms & Delivery Terms: Who Pays, Who Risks, and Who Clears Customs

Most import disputes I hear about don't start with a bad product. They start with a vague line on a quotation: "price includes delivery." Delivery to where?...

Daniel R. Whitfield