Podcasts about us customs

Service excellence emerges when businesses solve problems others avoid tackling. This week I spoke with Zohra Shroff from Sealink Logistics, a freight forwarding company that started in 2005 from a one-bedroom apartment in LA. Zohra joined the family business in 2006 and has helped grow it into a comprehensive logistics provider. Our conversation walked through the complete journey of shipping a container from Houston to India. Zohra detailed every step of the freight forwarding process, from initial customer vetting through final container return at destination. Their technology platform allows customers to book shipments, track cargo, and manage payments through their mobile app, maintaining this edge for over six years with live tracking and monthly rate updates. Their approach evolved from simply moving freight to becoming a complete logistics partner handling sea freight, air freight, and domestic transportation under one portal. When customers face problems like container mix-ups or space constraints, Zohra's team works directly with steamship lines to resolve issues rather than leaving customers stranded. This service model applies to any business where customer problems become your competitive advantage. When others walk away from complex situations, stepping in to solve them builds lasting relationships and premium pricing power. The freight forwarding industry reminded me that behind every simple transaction sits a web of coordination most people never see. Zohra's passion for helping customers navigate these complexities shows why service businesses thrive when they embrace the hard parts.     SHOW HIGHLIGHTS I explore Sealink's journey as a logistics company founded in 2005, emphasizing its deep family roots and innovative approach to the shipping industry. I discuss the complexities of the international shipping process, including filing shipping instructions with US Customs and securing an AES number. We highlight the challenges and financial implications for shippers when consignees refuse to pick up shipments, emphasizing the importance of financial due diligence. In our conversation, we examine the role of freight forwarders and the critical importance of service levels and customer support in the logistics industry. We delve into Zohra's entrepreneurial journey, from the jewelry industry in India to co-founding Sea Link in the U.S., illustrating the courage and determination required for such ventures. She provides insights into maritime routes and their impacts on transit times, including the choice between the Panama Canal and the Cape of Good Hope.   Contact Details LinkedIn - Zohra Shroff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/zohra-shroff-383276172/) LINKSShow Notes Be a Guest About IC-DISC Alliance About Sealink International Inc GUEST Zohra ShroffAbout Zohra TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Dave: Good morning Zohra. How are you today? Zohra: Good morning, I'm well. How are you I? Dave: am good Now. Are you calling in from San Francisco, or is that just a background you have? Zohra: No, it's just a background I have. Dave: Where are you calling in from? I am San. Zohra: Antonio Texas. San Antonio Texas. Dave: Yeah, soft spot for me. I went to high school in a suburb of San. Zohra: Antonio, oh, that's really nice. It's a great city, you know, small growing, not too big yet, but I guess eventually getting there. Dave: Yeah, Now are you a native of San Antonio. Zohra: I've been here almost 22 years now, so I think I am. Dave: Okay, and what about originally when? Zohra: are you from? Originally from India, Migrated to the US in the early 2000 and came into Jersey. Stayed there for a couple of years and then moved to San Antonio, Got married and moved to San Antonio. Dave: That's awesome. Zohra: So been here since then. Yes, so it's home now. Dave: That is great. So my wife is a native Texan. I'm what I choose to call a naturalized Texan. We have a saying. I got here as quick as I could. Zohra: I think I can say that now too. You know it's been wonderful, and it's home now. So yeah, it's great. Dave: That is great. So tell me about SeaLink. When did the company start? What prompted it to start? Who started it? Kind of a whole story. Zohra: Sure, sure, definitely. So. Sealink was started by Shaizad. He is my cousin and the forwarding business has been in our family for three generations now. Okay, india. And then my father took it over in the early 80s and 90s and then Shaizad joined him as well after he graduated from college. So he worked in the Indian market on at that point we used to do a lot of brick bulk vessels and we used to do containerized vessels as well. So that's how it all began. And then when Shaizad moved to the US I want to say in 2001, he was working for one of the forwarders and stuff for a few years and then he decided that we should, that he should start on his own. So he started Sealink in 2005 from LA, from his one bedroom apartment, just handling freehand cargo that our sister company back in India was anyways consigning to different agents in the US. And so then we took over that business and that's how we started. And then from there we are here today, grown to a fully export plus import oriented forwarder. So I think that's awesome. Dave: And when did you join the company? Zohra: I joined very early on 2006. So it was yeah, not very late on, so started in 2005. I joined in. I think we were September 2005,. If I'm not mistaken, I think I joined March 2006. Dave: Okay, so Shaizad gets credit for the first six months. Zohra: Yes, Shaizad gets credit for it. Dave: But you get credit for all the growth starting in 2006, right? Zohra: I wish I could take all the credit, but he is a visionary. He is a visionary and without his vision or without his farsightedness on you know what like, we don't want to just be called a forwarder. I don't like saying Sealink is just a forwarder. Because of that, because of his vision, I think we are so ahead of the market in terms of our competitors also and in terms of our vendors also, like overall, I think, for the shipping industry. I think we have it one notch up at, I think, at any given point. You know, just because we have because of his vision. I should again say that, because of Shaizad's vision of not only moving freight but making sure that we are giving service with the service industry and also making sure that we are making sure that we are giving the standard of service with the competitive rates at all time, and I think that is one thing that puts Seelink above. Of course, our technology is our greatest selling point. We've had our app I think so for over six years now six to seven years and you can do everything on our Seelink app you can book, you can give your documents, you can download an invoice, you can download an invoice, you can pay an invoice. You can track and trace your cargo. You can do everything on that app so you are not stuck to see that. Okay, what is going on on my shipment? You know where is my shipment. Why do I need to like hassle bustle and call somebody and someone's not answering the phone? So we have live tracking and tracing that shows on your website that your that your shipment has been delayed or there is a vessel delay or there is a longer transshipment hold. All of that information is available on our app, ready to go. Every month we update our rates so the customers know that in February, if my rate from place A to place B was $500, then we know that March 1st that rate is either going to be $400, depending on the market, or $600. So they have visibility of all of this, which is giving them ease of business. They can make their deals. They can look and then get a figure that, okay, you know what, my freight is going to be so much and my material is going to cost so much. This is what I need to do and this is how I can sell. So we give them all that information. Also, not only we are providing a sea, water services or sea services, we are even providing air freight, we are providing domestic, we are providing trade services. So, for example, if I have a customer who wants to move from Atlanta, atlanta into into Moondra, so I have a rate through the vendor from Atlanta to Moondra to Mundra, so I have a rate through the vendor from Atlanta to Mundra. But if he has a facility in Duluth, atlanta, and then wants to get into on the rail, so we provide that drage service as well. So he can put in his zip code that I need to pick up from so and so zip code, take it to the rail and then it'll go out, you know. So we provide that part of draGE as well, which is really helpful for our customers if they want to go ahead and offer that to their suppliers or to their clients as well. So everything is under one portal and easy access. That's what I can say. Dave: That sounds great. So even though I've been in this business for 20 years, working with exporters, I never really understood how the freight moved. So what I would love for you to do is let's imagine that I'm a brand new scrap broker, scrap metal broker, and I have my first load ready. It's in a container and it's at the Port of Houston. And so let's just imagine like, help me just understand all the steps. So I call you up and I say, zohra, how I've got this uh load of uh of scrap metal at the port in houston and I need to get it to uh, um, what would be a good, a good port in india. Zohra: That that, mundra, let's say. Dave: Let's say, so, walk me through like all the things that that like, just walk me through all the steps that have to happen okay. Zohra: So initially, if I'm onboarding a new scrap customer, we we have an onboarding process that goes into place. You know we we run their credit scores. We, you know, ask for references, we make sure the company is in good standing. Because we do all these thorough checks? Because in the end we don't want a long standing container in some other country where then Seelink is responsible. So we have a thorough vetting process. So it's not like you know, somebody didn't just come to me and say, hey, you know what, I want to move one box of scrap and please help me. It doesn't work like that anymore Because you know there has been so many people who have not done the right thing while moving metal scrap. You know they say that it is metal scrap, but they load something else and it happens. It's just the way the industry is right. So, first and foremost, when we onboard a customer, there is a whole onboarding process. We go ahead, we make sure that the customer is vetted completely. For some reasons, if there is no scores, we ask them for their financials, three years financials and sometimes we even ask for a deposit, depending on the situation of the customer. That's how our onboarding process works. Once the onboarding process is done, then they can go on the website or the app and they can see what port pairs they are moving this freight on. Now, for example, if they are buying from Houston and they want to move from Houston to Moondra, they will plug in on my website Houston to Moondra 120 footer metal scrap and they will see all the steamship lines that I have rates on. It could be MSC, maersk, capagloid, you know all of these top three, four lines where I can say that, ok, this is what your price will. If you want to ship with Maersk, your price is A. If you want to ship with MSC, your price is B. It will give them the transit time. Some of the shippers are very, very, very, very concerned about the transit time. Shippers are very, very, very, very concerned about the transit time. It depends on what they're shipping. If they're shipping ferris and it is, like you know, maybe five boxes they might not be very concerned. But if they're shipping non-ferris, they might be like okay, zohra, I need a 45 day transit. So then I'm telling them okay, choose Maersk or MSC, because their transit is somewhere between 45 to 46 days, you so so let's say so. Dave: Let's say I pick mursk mursk. Zohra: Yes, so then you go on my app and then you hit book. Once you hit book, I get a notification saying abcd has made a booking request from houston to mundra for next week's cutoff for 120 footer. I come inside, I come into play, my team goes ahead, makes the booking on Maersk and turns it around and about. I want to say we want to try to keep it under two hours, so we go ahead and we send a booking confirmation that has all the information of this load. So, the customer exactly knows that, okay, this load needs to get picked up, the empty container needs to get picked up at Bayport Terminal. Okay, once the trucker picks it up at Bayport Terminal, they go to their facility, they get it loaded If the customer is doing their own trucking. If the customer says, or I don't have a trucker in Houston, do my trucking, then I'll offer him, I'll say give me your zip code in Houston, I'll give you a dredge rate and then I can go pick up, schedule your trucking. So I will schedule the trucking, get the container loaded, bring it back to the port, return it loaded at the port and then from there it will sit on the port on the day of the cutoff and then from there we will go ahead and make sure that it gets loaded on the ship. There. We will go ahead and make sure that it gets loaded on the ship. Now, that is where the whole process is working in terms of getting this container into the port. Now, once it's into the port, then it is the customer's responsibility to go ahead and send me shipping instructions. Who is he shipping to? Who is his shipper? Who is his consignee? What is the container number? What is the weight. What is the weight? What is the seal? Dave: is there a name for that set of documents? Zohra: yes, it's called shipping instructions the shipping instructions. So those shipping instructions are given to, given by the, the customer, to us. We go ahead and we put it. Dave: I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt. I just really want to make sure understand yeah so those instructions? Is that done electronically through your website? Zohra: We can do it electronically. There are lots of customers who send us emails also, so, however, they are comfortable. Dave: Okay. Zohra: If they feel comfortable, there is a way on our website to go ahead and save their shipper and consignees as well, so they can just click, click and say that, okay, this is my shipper, this is my consignee, and then they just change the container name or the container number and weight and seal number. Dave: Okay, so I've given you the shipping instructions. Zohra: Yes, Now you've given me the shipping instructions, I'm going to go back and send you. I'm going to put everything on the BL and I'm going to send you a draft bl. I'm going to say, hey, this is what your draft, a draft bl will look. So you will go ahead and get a draft bl from ceiling and you will check everything your shipper, your consign what is bl? a bill of lading okay yes, the bill of lading, but this is a draft copy, okay, so we, so we can still make changes. If you say, oh, you know what, I don't want to write metal scrap, I want to write heavy metal scrap. So can you edit that for me? Or if your consignee says you know what, I want to add a notify party, so we're going to be like, ok, we'll add a notify party. So we send you a draft copy and stuff like that and we tell you that, okay, please look at it thoroughly, this is what your draft, this is what your bl is going to look like. Okay, so once they check everybody is in order, we go ahead, we take and we file those shipping instructions with the us customs. We tell them that, hey, this person is shipping this cargo from here to here. These are the details. And then we file the entry into the US Customs. They come back with an AES number for us where it is that OK, you know what. The customs has approved your shipment. This is your AES filing number and now you're good to go. Dave: And what does AES stand for? Zohra: It's an automated uh-oh export system export uh automated export documentation okay, yeah yeah. So it's like uh, it's like an ams that you file from the import side, and where does the and then the uh container number? Is that going to be? Dave: in shipping instructions yeah, so it'll still end up on the bill of lading. Zohra: Yes, yes, everything. All this information, shipper consignee, container number, weight, seal, what commodity you have shipped. Everything will appear on the bill of lading, All of this instructions, so everybody has clarity on what has shipped, who has shipped and where is it going. Dave: Okay. Zohra: Also, and if Seelaling has done the trucking for this customer, then I'm not even asking him for the container number because the trucker will give me. He's my trucker, so he's going to be like hey, I pulled this container number. Once I load it, I'll give you the weight and seals. So once we send out the draft BL, it is approved, we go ahead and we send all the information to the Steam ship line, whichever vendor you chose, and we file everything. Dave: We ask the Now where does it, I'm sorry. When does it ship? From being a draft to being a final After the customs process? Zohra: After sailing, after sailing. So once the customs is processed, we have all our information. Once the shipment is sailed, then the steamship line will be like okay, your shipment has sailed, Everything looks good. This is your original bill of lading. Dave: And sailed is a reference to 200 years ago, right With ship that sails Does it? Just mean it's departed the port. It has departed the port, yes. Zohra: So once it is sailed and then after, I think most of the time, they give us a draft in two days of sailing. The original bill will come out in two days of sailing and then from there, once we have the original bill, the customer does have a choice that if he wants a complete set of original bill of ladings, so that means that's a paper copy, or else he wants a telex, which would be an electronic copy. And then he can say that oh, you know what, I don't mind, my consignee doesn't mind a telex release. So if you can go ahead and update this to a telex release, and is the telex? Dave: is it truly going through the old telex system or is it just being electronic? Zohra: It's through the old telex system or does it just mean electronic? It's just meaning electronic. There's no funny how the language just stays around. Right, yeah, okay, all right, so go ahead. Yeah, so once. So then they have a choice to either have some of the guys if they have an lc, they would like the obl so that way they have control on the cargo, they have control on the money, and then they release the bills once they get paid and if they are confident, if they are a regular shipper and a regular consignee, they might go in for a telex release which is just electronic Gotcha. Dave: So then it leaves Houston, and I'm guessing does it go through the Panama Canal. Zohra: Depends on the routing. Some go through the Panama Canal, some do not, so it just depends on what route the steamship line is taking. Dave: I'm just curious. So if it's going from Houston to Moondra, I mean it's got to get around South America. Zohra: Yeah, yeah. So it would go through the canal and if not, because of all the issues that we're going through now, a lot of steamship lines have been routing it to the Cape of Good Hope. Dave: So they've been going that direction, that direction Around Africa. Zohra: Okay, yes, yes, so that makes it a little bit transit longer, but just the safety was more important at that point. Dave: So a lot of routes. Zohra: At least it's a predictable amount of time even though it's longer, and so if it goes, around Houston to Mondra by the Cape under Cape of Good Hope. Dave: How many days does that typically I? Zohra: think it added. I think it added 15 days to the transit. Dave: So what would that? Be total transit so about 60 days about 60 days. Zohra: Yeah, so I think first it was 45 days and then it became 60 days when they were doing, uh, the cape of good hope. Um, I and you know what, sometimes it even is a little bit shorter. I did see a couple of vessels that were doing 55 days also. So I think it just depends on you know how, how how delayed the vessel is, or if there is any any issues on any transshipment ports and stuff like that. So sometimes it's hard to say if it's going to be like anywhere between 40 to 60 days okay, so now it's on the water, is there just no activity at this point? Dave: is there any? Zohra: hopefully you don't want any activity, you just want everything to be good. But there are things that happen, like you heard about the Baltimore issue that happened early last April. I want to say it's going to be a year that everything was good to go. The vessel was ready to sail and it hit the bridge right and that was disastrous and that lasted for six months. Containers, fellers, fell in the water and you know some got damaged and then you know those things. Yeah, we don't want those things to happen, but of course it is. It is an inevitable. Like you know, hazards happen sometimes, so you would want that. Dave: Yeah, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry. I know you know this really well and so I'm sorry I have to keep stopping you for such basic questions. Zohra: No, no, not at all Do the containers these days. Dave: Do they have any electronic tracking on the containers? Zohra: Some do and some don't. Okay, so the ones that do like. Dave: Is it RF tracking or a different type of electronic tracking? Zohra: I don't believe they have an RF tracking. Most of our containers do not have a tracker because the lines will only give us 10 plus old, 10 plus year containers to load scrap, I see. So we don't get the nice fancy containers. So, most of us are not trackable. Okay, so my scrap load, load. Dave: It's not being tracked but it's on the boat it's on the boat, and so it's sailing, and then now it shows up in mundra. And what happens now? Zohra: so once it shows up in mundra, the steamship line that you have picked is going to send an arrival notice, five to seven days, to your consignee in India or your forwarder in India, whoever you have put on the BL instructions, so you will get an arrival notice. Dave: Now will you be? Will you be the forwarder in India? Zohra: No, no, we do have our own office in India, but most of metal scrap moves on a master bill, so there is really no requirement of a forwarder per se needed when your shipment reaches destination. Dave: They just need a broker and they can clear their shipment and pick it up at the port. Okay, so the ship arrives, and then that starts the arrival notice. Time clock. Zohra: Yeah. Dave: From the time it's actually lands. No, so the arrival notice you will get from the time it's actually lands? Zohra: no, so the arrival notice you will get five to seven days before arrival. So it gives you it gives you ample of time to say that okay, you know what my shipment is coming in. Let me get my docks ready and file it with the Indian customs. Because you can file, I want to say, four days before your shipment is arriving. Dave: So you're not scrambling, and how do we know that the ship is five to seven days away? Zohra: Is there tracking of the ship? Yes, yes, you can track it. Dave: Does the captain get on the radio? Call Zohra. Yeah, hey, I'm about five days away. Zohra: Yeah, no, so the shipment can be tracked on the steam ship lines website also, and plus on ceilings, on ceilings website as well. so you, will see, definitely that your shipment is arriving in three days or five days. If there is a delay, it will blink red and say that hey, there is a delay. And then when you get your arrival notice from the steam ship line, also it will have a date of arrival. It will be like, okay, you know this shipment is arriving on so and so date, so you are prepared that. Okay, you know what. My shipment's coming in five days. Let me get all my documents ready. Dave: Let me have it send it to my broker, you can start and you can start the process with the india customs four days before. I want to go four to five days before so that way, when the ship lands, the you can you already have your entry done and you already know that. Zohra: You know there are no holds of customs and you've paid your freight and you can go along and say that, okay, you know what, I just need the ship to berth. Once they unload my containers, then you know I can just send my trucker to go pick it up. Everything will show green released. You know, unless they have not paid ceiling, then I'll hold the cargo. Dave: Yeah, okay, and help me understand, because I'm an accountant by training. Help me understand the payment of the shipping. At what point do I pay for the shipping? Zohra: Okay, so we have. I want to say 90% of our customers are cash customers. So, when they need their original bill of lading after sailing. We generate an invoice after two days of sailing most of the time, because the line will give us a BL and an invoice in a couple of days. We go ahead, we generate that, we give it to the customer and when he wants to release his shipment he makes a payment to us. So whether it is an OBL or a DELEX, it doesn't matter. When he will tell me okay, zohra, he can go on my website and say release bill. He can go ahead and it will show him that you owe so-and-so amount for this shipment in order to get your release. He can go make a payment and then within 24 hours he will get a release from us. Dave: Okay, Because without that release will the Indian customs not unload. Zohra: No, the Indian customs doesn't really have any control on that. The Indian customs is only getting involved, saying, okay, I have a vessel that has 200 containers coming into India. I need documents to just make sure that it is what they are claiming it is. So they don't have anything to do with our BL release. They only work with customs release. So if I said that I have moved metal scrap and if there is battery in that box, that's a flag for the US customs and I mean for the Indian customs and they will be like I'm going to hold this box. So at that point that box is on a customs hold. Customs will not worry about a BL hold. There are two types of hold. One is a BL hold where either I or the steamship line is holding it for payment, holding it for payment, and then the customs hold is because there is an exam or there is some kind of uh inspection they want to do on the container or if they find some misdeclarations and stuff like that okay yeah, okay, yeah and then, so it shows up, it goes through customs. Dave: Uh, the freight forwarder there puts it on a truck, yeah, and then the truck goes to the warehouse or wherever they need to originally drop. Zohra: They go ahead, they unload the goods off the container. They make sure everything is weight and the weight is matching to what they had claimed it was. Sometimes the weight has shifted or sometimes they feel like, okay, the weight is less, then internally they will file a claim. It doesn't happen a lot, but some things sometimes do happen. And then, once the shipment has been unloaded, they have to make sure it is their responsibility to return the empty container back to the depot. So, once this empty container is returned back in India, that's when my shipment is closed here. Dave: That okay, you know what. Zohra: My empty container has been returned. This has been picked up. Everything is good, payment is good. We are good to close this file. Okay so one file can be open anywhere from 45 days to 60 days, okay, and then if you have issues with that shipment, then it can go longer. If the consignee refuses to pick up the shipment, the consignee abandons, you know, the shipment and says, oh, I don't, I don't have money to pay for it, I can't pick it up. That's when we get into different problems. You know that. Okay, then we need to figure out what we want to do and we all have to keep in mind that every country, every destination country, gives you a few days of free days. So when my shipment arrives in India with my contracts I have 14 free days. So for 14 days I'm not going to get billed for that container sitting at the port. But on that 15th day the clock will start and then, you know, all those charges for demurrage will start occurring for port charges, and then that becomes an expensive, you know, charge that will be billed back to the shipper here because he will have to take accountability of why his consignee didn't pick up the shipment or whatever happened. Dave: You know, and this is part of why you do your financial due diligence on the customers, because you need to make sure that they're a solid business. Solid business, the customer is going to pick it up. Yeah. Zohra: And sometimes we do the due diligence on the shipper part and you know we don't really know what the consignees are in different countries. So now we've started even collaborating with the US customs and you know we run the consignees also through our AES system and if there is like a faulty consignee, then that gets flagged in our system. This is something very new that we have started and we are proud to say that now we are going to run them also to make sure that you know what. There is utmost ease in this process, you know, not to say that when I run the check he's a good consignee and then in the 30 days or the 60 days of the transit something went wrong. Right, I'm not saying that's not going to happen, but at least at the time of the shipment we know everything is a green check, you know. So that's one extra step that we have started taking now, because of so much long standing in different countries are happening due to consignee abandonments. You know, people not paying the banks, lc issues, frauds, people have said that, oh, they are going to do it and then they don't do it. So because of that we are trying to do this extra check where at least the shipper is also at ease. We are also at ease at the time of shipment, and we have this great tool that the US customer is offering us, and so we've started using that as well. Dave: Okay, yeah. So let's instead imagine that this first container is by a friend of mine. Let's say he tells me oh Dave, these freight forwarders are just so expensive, I'm just going to do this all myself. Sure, I would say to them good luck, yes. I would say good luck, because this sounds like an impossible thing to try to do on your own Virtually impossible. Zohra: So a lot, a lot of customers or BCOs that I can say is like the direct shippers, like, of course, the Walmarts and the targets they have, they have a shipping department that does this, of course. But if you have, like, a small trader who's sitting out of Houston or probably New York, it is not worth his headache to do this, because there are lots of small nitty gritty things that are happening along the way, like, for example, I gave you this booking, okay, from Houston to Moondra. Now you have arranged for a trucker, the trucker is trying to pull an empty and my booking is not on file. Okay you are sitting and making a phone call to that line saying, oh, my booking is not on file. I have a trucker. Your trucker is charging you $65 because he's in line for an hour, gets to the terminal and the booking is not on file. I have a trucker. Your trucker is charging you $65 because he's in line for an hour, gets to the terminal and the booking is not on file. They're not going to let him wait there. He will have to go back in the line. So doing business with a forwarder is bringing you ease of these kind of kinks that are going to cost you financially. It is going to cost you a $65 dry run fee or a $65 detention fee for that guy to turn around and stand back in the line With us. We go ahead and we make sure that their booking is on file. Most of the time the depots are filled with containers. And again, I'm not saying that things don't happen. Of course things happen. But if you are a guy who's moving five to seven boxes a week, you don't have the time to sit and call for every booking and say, hey, is my booking on file? Is my trucker standing there? Do we have chassis, you know? Do the container depots have containers mounted on chassis? Do I have to take my own chassis? What's going on, at least with with us? We are telling them okay, your pickup is here, your booking is on file, go ahead, send the trucker again. Sometimes, when the trucker is there, some things happen. Then we can go ahead and fix it. I just feel like, because we are, our relationships are so much more deeper with the lines, you know what we can try to solve problem faster than someone trying to do this first time on their own or even if they've been in the business. Because these are painstaking things you know, like getting appointments to return. Like APM terminal in New York, it is a nightmare right now. It is a nightmare to get an appointment to return your box. So think about it. It. You pulled a box, you loaded it. Now you need to return it and your trucker is trying to get an appointment right and everything is showing full. Your cutoff is tomorrow. So you know those kind of hassles come in, which all come with the financial costs, and I'm not saying that you know what. Every time we will be coming to the rescue, but I feel like we have. So we have a good leverage to come to solve your problems, to make it easy to ship for you guys. You know our job is to make it easy to ship and you can have, you can have, you can be stress-free and you can concentrate on the growth of your business instead of worrying about how one container is going to move. You know yeah now, that's where we come in well, you've sold me. Dave: When I, if I ever get into the scrap metal business and ship to mundra, you'll be the first call thank you now I understand this now. This may be shocking, but I understand that there are other freight forwarders besides Sealink. Oh yes, oh yes, but help me understand, though I imagine that on the surface it's funny. Every business like when you're an outsider, it looks like a commodity, right, you know, it just looks like they're all the same. So if you don't know anything about, I don't know whatever like, let's say, farming equipment. To me, all farming equipment looks the same. I'm sure there's differences between them. Some do better at some things than others. Some are more expensive, some are cheaper, and so I'm sure that it's like that in the freight forwarding world. So give me an example that it's like that in the freight forwarding world. So give me an example. I'm sure that from time to time you get a call from somebody and says Zohra, my current freight forwarder dropped the ball once again and I'm fed up with them. I want to start using you all. Let's think back to maybe an example of that. And of course you don't mention the customer name or the prior freight forwarder. But what's a typical fact pattern that makes them shift from somebody else to you all? Zohra: so in in all these years of of me being at ceiling, the the majority people turn back to us is because of service levels. If there is a problem, I'm not going to run away. I'm going to sit with my customer, explain to them that this is an issue and we need to work together. It is going to cost. Let's come to that understanding that it is going to cost. Am I going to do my very best to make the cost minimal? Yes, yes, of course, though I know that the customer is at fault or the trucker is at fault, it doesn't matter. But we at Sealing believe that we are not going to haggle our customers when they are in problems to make a quick buck. We're not going to do that. We are never going to do that. So we make sure that if a customer is stranded like I'll give you an example right now, I have a situation I have a booking from A-Line Okay, and we got a container loaded. Okay, we got a container loaded. When the container got returned at the port, we got an email from the A-Line saying hello, this container doesn't belong to us. So then we started digging. We started digging, we found out that my customer had used another forwarder's booking for a line that ceiling doesn't work with. Okay. So there are seven, eight vendors we work with and two, three vendors we don't work with. Okay. So now I have a situation where I have a container loaded sitting in the port which my line is saying Zohra, I can't move it, it's not my box, I can't on hire this box because they won't let me. Though it is a partner box, they won't let me. You need to go to this line and figure out what you want to do. Now, zohra or ceiling doesn't work with this line. And my customer is frustrated because his forwarder, who gave him this booking, is saying oh, I can't do anything. You pulled a box now and my booking I gave it to somebody else so that booking is full. Now okay so now he has no space to accommodate this box here, okay, okay. So I'm not going to tell my customer. Oh, you know what? You got a booking from another forwarder on a line that ceiling doesn't work with. You figure out your stuff, because this container here is already accumulating demurrage, sitting sitting on the boat, which is $250 a day. So now yesterday what I did is I called the line that I don't work with and I gave them the whole rundown. I gave them the container number. I told them see, this is what is going on. I understand we don't work with you guys, but can you go ahead and help us? So yesterday they said okay, you know what, we can help you all. We are going to try to see we can reach out to the other forwarder and increase his booking and make sure that this can get returned at that point. Would that that other forwarder should have taken that step to help his customer, who is also my customer, but because of the service failure, or because maybe he doesn't, he was not able to understand how to problem solve this or troubleshoot this, or probably he just didn't have the resources to do it? I don't know. But if my customer came to me and is stranded. I am going to offer that help. I'm not going to be looking here to make a quick buck and say, hey, I don't work with this guy. Pay these 200 demurrage or go ahead and dray out the container. Pay $900 to dray out the container and then go back reloaded in my Steam Ship Lines box. Dave: I see so what happened in that scenario? Zohra: So now today I mean this is very live. This just happened like two days ago. So now today, hopefully you know, the line that I'm not working with has talked to that forwarder and hopefully we have increased his original booking and now we can attach this container to his booking. Go ahead and tell that line. Okay, please move this. Tell my customer. Go ahead, I have increased your booking. Please go to your forwarder, submit your shipping instructions and make sure your container gets on water on the next vessel. You will have some demerit charges which you will have to settle directly with the port, so they had to find space on the line that owned the container. Yes. Dave: Okay. Zohra: Yeah, the line that owned the container. So right now, because of so much of vessel shiftings, right, every vendor in the market whether it is Maersk, hapag, lloyd, zim, msc, all these lines are relocating services, they're readjusting services. Someone is coming into a new alliance, someone has come out of an alliance. There are lots of new vessels come into the market, larger ships come into the market, so everyone is adjusting a lot of vessels. So that is why it is very space, a space constraint. Right now. There are blank sailings, you know, to make sure that these new services are well adjusted for april. So, uh, so that is why there is this space issue. If there was no space issue, right, there wouldn't be a problem I see the other forwarder could pick up the phone and get it right right and the containers are owned by the shipping lines yes, the container. Dave: That's why, when I see a railroad when I'm sitting at a rail stop yeah comes by. Zohra: I see the maersk yeah, the big blue, because that's one of their containers yes, a musk or any, or a costco hat bag, they they all they all own their containers. Yes, correct, wow. Dave: So how, uh, it sounds like you have to work 168 hours a week, I mean, if you're in the service business yeah, tell me if I'm wrong, but I think moondraw is on a different time zone. Zohra: Yes, yes, yeah it's almost end of working day for them right now. Actually, before this, I was on my india office call. We have our own office in india as well, so we have a call with them once a week to just see what's going on, how's business, what can we do to support from here. So they were already, like you know, getting ready to go home, because it's almost eight o'clock in the night over there so is it safe to assume that you, that eight to five is not the sole hours that you work? there is no eight to five in this industry. No, there isn't. Dave: No, I mean my business you know, is to somewhat the same way. I mean, what I tell my clients is all you need to know about the ic disc is my mobile number. Yeah, that's it. That's all you need to know. Just call me, I'll take care of it. Zohra: Yeah, that's how we are, that's how we are. Customers call us, whatsapp us, email us and we try to service. We try to service. We are in the service industry. We believe our service is, is on top and if, and and I'm not saying c-link is the cheapest, I'm not saying that even at but we thrive on it because we know that. You know our customers, and hats off to our customers. Their support has got us here and they are willing to pay us an extra $25 for what we offer. We offer the app, we offer the service. All my sales reps are very in touch with the customers. They just don't sell and then you never see them. It's not. That doesn't work here. You know we do trade shows. We see our customers there make it a point at least two times a year. We are seeing our customers. We have FaceTime with them. So it's not like you're going to like have a salesperson. Dave: They sell you a rate and then they are gone. It's not going to be like that. Zohra: Your point of contact is your salesperson. Of course we don't want our salespeople to get in operations which they don't. Their work is to sell. But customer is not going to feel like isolated saying that, oh you know what. So, and so was my salesperson at ceiling. They sold me a rate and now have all these problems and I don't know who to go to. You know that problem will never arise. Like you say that problem will never arise like you say that, uh, your cell phone number is what they need for us. It's just just email email me or email one of my reps, and you will get a response, like I can promise that well, you all have a booth at the rima san diego show. Dave: I'll be sure to stop by, will you be wow? Yes, I'm gonna be there I'll be sure to stop by. Oh, that'll be awesome, yeah, we do rima every year? Yeah, we've been doing it for the past several years now okay, yes, so uh, uh, wow, I can't believe how the time has flown. Zohra: Yeah, it's um, it wasn't that bad, like I thought it would, I know. Dave: So, so a couple, so last couple questions what? What do you enjoy the most about your job, like what's the most satisfying part of your role within C-Link. Zohra: Helping my customers. Dave: Okay, I had a feeling that was it? Zohra: I really, really find it satisfying when I see an email saying you know, thanks, Zohra, you saved my life, you know, or you know like. Dave: Chad, he's our sales director. Zohra: You know, thanks, zohra, you saved my life, you know, or you know, like Chad, he's our sales director. You know he'll send out an email saying, okay, you're a miracle worker, not to me, but to my teams as well, right, because sometimes it's, it's very frustrating to get small things done right, and when that small thing gets done, then everything flows. So I feel like once you get them that ease, that, okay, now their cargo is going to flow. I feel, I feel satisfied, my teams feel satisfied, right. So I think, just helping out and making sure we are there, that's, you know, that's, I think, is very important, because if you're missing in this chain, your customer is just going to be stranded, you know. Dave: Yeah, no, that makes makes sense. So last two questions. So one's kind of serious and the last one's fun. So the serious one is um, if you could go back 20 years, and what year did you say you came to the uS? Zohra: I came in 2000. Dave: Okay, so if you could go, if you had a time machine and you could go back and you could give advice to yourself back in the year 2000, what advice or pep talk or insight, would you tell yourself? Zohra: you tell yourself that I should have started this earlier. I did. Dave: I don't know why I waited till 2006, okay, so yeah that you know that's the answer that every client gives yeah, that they, they didn't start the business, or they didn't do this because they were afraid or there was risk or whatever. And the advice they always, almost always, give is don't be afraid, take the risk, do it. Zohra: Yes, yes, I agree. So I'll give you a little background. So before I joined Shaizad, I was working at a wholesale jewelry place. We had, you know, huge wholesale and we had a lot of mexican um imported jewelry. You know, we used to sell a lot like. It was a very different, different field altogether. We used to supply to all the big stores and stuff like that. And then when shazad started this, you know, he told me he's like I don't know if I can, like we'll be able to afford a salary, or you know how it's going to be, because I'm just starting and and and we don't know. You know how it's going to work because right now I don't have overhead expenses. So think about it, right. So, like I said, he's a visionary, right. And he just told me one thing he's like I promise you that you will not regret, right. And at that point I feel he, he was all. He already taken the risk, he had already taken the risk, he had left his job at at another forwarder and taken the risk to start this. And when he told me that you know you won't regret, I just I just took the leap of faith and said you know what? This is it. If I think I would have like thought a little bit more and said, oh, I won't. I don't know how I'm going to replace my income or what's going to happen. I don't know if this is going to work. I feel like maybe we wouldn't be here. So I think sometimes you just take that leap and then leave it up to the big man up and I think it all works out with your hard work. But you have to put in the work, I feel. Dave: Sure, that is great. Well, my last question, a fun one. So in Houston we have a thriving Indian community and I have a lot of great Indian restaurants to choose from. So two questions. One if you want really good Indian food in San Antonio, do you have to go to your kitchen? Zohra: Or are there some good Indian restaurants in San Antonio? Actually, now there are a couple of good Indian restaurants in San. Antonio, I can say that you know. Dave: Because I'm guessing the Indian population in San Antonio is a lot smaller than Indian. Zohra: Yes, it is a lot smaller, but I can now say if you would ask me this five years ago, I would be like nothing my kitchen but, now I can say actually we just went to one day before yesterday and it was pretty nice. Dave: So yes, yeah, I think I am heading to Houston, uh, next week. Zohra: so I'm going to make it a point to go to one of the nice restaurants Indian restaurants to know, get some food, that's great, which I think. Dave: I think the yellow curry is my favorite. What's your favorite curry? Zohra: I think I'm not very fond of curries, but I think I'm not a big. I'm not a big curry person, so, but I think my favorite Indian food would be biryani. Dave: Okay. Zohra: Yeah, the rice with the meat. Yeah, yeah, I think that that is awesome. Dave: Well, Zohra, thank you again for coming on the show sharing your story, the SeaLink story and uh and sharing your passion. It really comes through that you and uh and Shaizad both have a passion for serving your customers, and that's really. It's always fun to hear that somebody's just really enjoying what they do. Zohra: Yes, yes, thank you. Thank you for having me and thank you for letting me talk about sealing, and I hope that whoever listens to this, you know, comes to us and uses us. Thank you. Dave: That sounds great. You have a great day. Zohra: You too, you too. Special Guest: Zohra Shroff.

Asian shares were off to a tepid start at the open Tuesday after a rebound in big tech drove US stocks higher. Bonds fell as the dollar hit its lowest since 2023. Wall Street kept a close eye on the latest twists in the trade war, with the US extending the exclusion of Section 301 tariffs on some Chinese goods until Aug. 31, according to a notice issued by the US Customs and Border Protection. Trump and Xi Jinping will "likely" speak this week, according to the White House. We talk markets with Adam Coons, Chief Investment Officer at Winthrop Capital Management. Plus - South Koreans head to the polls Tuesday to elect a new president to lead the nation after an attempt to impose martial law at the end of last year triggered its worst constitutional crisis in decades. Opposition Democratic Party nominee Lee Jae-myung was the frontrunner ahead of conservative ruling People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo in final polls conducted last week. A third contender, Lee Jun-seok, a former PPP leader now running for the Reform Party, was splitting the conservative vote. The winner will face the challenges of trying to unite a deeply fractured country and restore growth to a shrinking economy that is among the most vulnerable in the world to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. For more, we hear from M. Jae Moon, Professor of Public Policy and Management at Yonsei University. He speaks with Bloomberg's Shery Ahn in Seoul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall St tor on Tuesday as investors anticipate details on potential US trade deals will come to light very soon. AI stocks lead the gains with Nvidia up more than 3% at the sessions' end. The S&P500 rose 0.58% on Tuesday, while the Nasdaq added 0.81% and the Dow Jones ended the day up 0.51%.In Europe overnight, markets closed slightly higher after the eurozone inflation reading eased to a cooler-than-expected forecast 1.9% in May. The STOXX 600 rose 0.01%, Germany's DAX added 0.64%, the French CAC climbed 0.33% and, in the UK, the FTSE100 ended the day up 0.13%.Across the Asia region on Tuesday, the US Customs and Border Protection agency's move to extend a tariff pause on some Chinese goods boosted risk-on sentiment during Asian trading. This also helped the US dollar strengthen, recovering some of Monday's sharp losses against major currencies. China's CSI index rose 0.31% on Tuesday, Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.4%, Japan's Nikkei ended the day flat and South Korean markets were closed for polling day.The Australian share market had its best day in a month, rising 0.6% as optimism about revived US-China trade talks boosted investor sentiment. The S&P/ASX 200 gained 52.6 points to close at 8466.7, with financials leading nine of 11 sectors higher. The rally followed gains on Wall Street after news that Presidents Trump and Xi will discuss tariffs this week.Investors bought into the banks on Tuesday due to the safe-haven nature of such investments over the last year, while Iron ore miners declined in line with a drop in iron ore futures, triggered by China's manufacturing activity hitting its lowest point in over two years. BHP (ASX:BHP) fell 0.6%, while Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) slipped 0.7%.IDP Education (ASX:IEL) recorded the biggest loss on the market, tumbling 44.8% after warning investors that global policy uncertainty has impacted its student enrolment pipeline. The company also revealed it is conducting a review of its profitability and cost structure.Meanwhile on a macro level, from 1st July, 2.6 million workers will benefit from a historic 3.5% minimum wage increase; the $32 weekly rise brings the national minimum wage to $24.95 per hour or approximately $948 per week. While this wage rise is one of the largest above-inflation increases ever, it is expected to have only a modest impact on inflation.What to watch today:On the commodities front this morning, oil is trading 1.38% higher at US$63.38/barrel, gold is down 0.9% at US$3352/ounce and iron ore is down 0.7% at US$95.30/tonne.The Aussie dollar has weakened against the greenback overnight to buy 64.67 US cents, 93.03 Japanese Yen, 47.93 British Pence and 1 New Zealand dollar and 8 cents.Ahead of the midweek trading session in Australia, the SPI futures are anticipating the ASX will open the day up 0.27%.Trading ideas:Bell Potter has increased the 12-month price target on Aspen Group (ASX:APZ) from $3.05 to $3.90 and maintain a buy rating on the real estate company following the company's successful raising of $70m via an institutional placement with a further $4m to be raised via SPP at $2.90/unit.Trading Central has identified a bullish signal on Rural Funds Group (ASX:RFF) following the formation of a pattern over a period of 30-days which is roughly the same amount of time the share price may rise from the close of $1.79 to the range of $1.91 to $1.93 according to standard principles of technical analysis.

Send us a textWelcome to you heard it here last where we talk about news, you've already heard.Well it's finally happened. I don't want to talk about it. I said you can't make me talk about it. But I guess when I started down this podcast road it kinda became my job to talk about it. So here we go.Tariffs.https://www.enworld.org/threads/do-tariffs-apply-to-rpg-books-maybe-maybe-not.712908/EN World posted an article titled Do Tariffs apply to RPG Books? Maybe, Maybe Not.The article discusses an official exemption list which declares that "printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter in single sheets, whether or not folded" and "printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, other than in single sheets" are exempt from Tariffs.This of course made people excited.But then the other shoe dropped.US Customs and Border Protection, in November 1989​ said“In our opinion, heading 9504 provides the more specific description of the merchandise in issue. The modules enhance fantasy game play; they were not designed for passive reading.”There are additions to this statement that basically define that rulebooks used for TTRPGs are not books, but games and therefore subject to Tariffs.The rulings are 35 years old and have everyone confused. Many companies are looking for clarification and hoping that their may be more rulings on what is subject to Tariffs, specifically the 145% Tariffs regarding China.To make this even more confusing I give you the landmark decision on June 28, 2024, In which the Supreme Court overruled the 40-year-old precedent of Chevron deference, which required courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes.In laymans terms the Supreme Court said that only the Legislative Branch of the Federal Government can make Federal Law. And only the President can issue and executive order. Laws cannot be made by agencies within the federal government.In other words, the ultimate decision regarding TTRPG tariffs doesn't lie with the US Customs, but with the President and the United States Congress.The article ends with an excellent statement and what I believe is the key to all of this. “Whatever the tariffs, what is necessary for trade is stability.”It's kinda hard to plan for the future when the future changes everyday.And now for something completely different (I hope I don't get sued for that)https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2025/05/rpg-travellers-new-campaign-the-singularity-evokes-sci-fi-grandeur-on-kickstarter-now.htmlhttps://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jtas3/traveller-rpg-the-singularity-campaign?ref=discovery&term=Traveller&total_hits=85815&category_id=34Traveller, the Sci-Fi roleplaying game currently published by Mongoose Publishing has just launched a Kickstarter for their new massive campaign “singularity”. It's been a minute since we have had one of these huge, multibook campaigns for Traveller and this one looks to be pretty cool. The RPG will take you to the Throneworld of the 3rd Emperium, let you peruse the archives of Reference, chart the Sylean Main. And, put charted space in your wake.I only hope it's organized better then Pirates of Drinax.

The Moms for America Podcast was honored to attend the White House celebration of President Trump's first 100 days in office. In this episode, Moms for America Vice President and podcast host Debbie Kraulidis spoke with Ron Vitiello, a Senior Advisor serving with US Customs and Border Protection. Debbie also sat down with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly to talk about the energy and transparency of Trump 2.0. Like, subscribe, and share!

We'd love to have your feedback and ideas for future episodes of Retail Unwrapped. Just text us!Special Guest: Maytee Pereira, Managing Director in PwC's US Customs and International Trade practice Regardless of the flipflops of the Trump administration's trade policies, retailers are operating in the middle of a tariff war. When nations retaliate, executive strategies for tariff-driven disruption are thrown into chaos. Retailers face unprecedented challenges managing the transformation of 10-20 percent blanket tariffs into a complex web of constantly changing country-specific penalties disrupting forecasting, sourcing, and pricing strategies. Maytee Pereira, Managing Director in PwC's US Customs and International Trade practice joins Shelley to help deconstruct tariff inequities. Supercenters can leverage scale to minimize shocks while discount retailers, heavily dependent on Chinese imports, face existential challenges. And small businesses have the toughest road without the deep financial pockets of the megabrands. Shelley and Maytee discuss the stark differences in readiness across sectors; apparel companies with years of experience navigating duties demonstrate remarkable adaptability, while other consumer goods retailers are encountering significant tariff impacts for the first time without tested response playbooks. Listen in and learn how forward-thinking organizations are implementing sophisticated approaches to mitigate tariff impacts.For more strategic insights and compelling content, visit TheRobinReport.com, where you can read, watch, and listen to content from Robin Lewis and other retail industry experts, and be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly with major shifts in movies, television, gaming, and anime culture. From the blockbuster success of "Sinners" to controversial price hikes in gaming and concerning censorship of anime content, we explore how these changes are impacting consumers and creators alike.• "Sinners" dominating the box office with $721 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing Hollywood film of the year• Netflix CEO claiming theaters are "outmoded" despite evidence showing strong theatrical attendance• HBO Max quietly removing classic animated shows like Tom and Jerry and The Flintstones with no explanation• Streaming giants reportedly working on legislation to cut off internet access for those watching pirated content• Gaming companies implementing significant price increases across consoles and games• Grand Theft Auto 6 delayed until May 2026, potentially launching at a higher $80 price point• Japanese lawmakers considering making AI-generated Ghibli art illegal• US schools banning anime club funding, limiting cultural and educational opportunities• US Customs seizing 2,000 anime figures labeled as "obscene imports"• The importance of respecting gamers' save data and digital collectionsJoin our Discord community for watch parties, discussions, and more content! Support us on Patreon to help us acquire better equipment for future projects and receive early access to our work.Text us for feedback and recommendations for future episodes!Support the showWe thank everyone for listening to our podcast! We hope to grow even bigger to make great things happen, such as new equipment for higher-quality podcasts, a merch store & more! If you're interested in supporting us, giving us feedback and staying in the loop with updates, then follow our ZONE Social Media Portal to access our website, our Discord server, our Patreon page, and other social media platforms! DISCLAIMER: The thoughts and opinions shared within are those of the speaker. We encourage everyone to do their own research and to experience the content mentioned at your own volition. We try not to reveal spoilers to those who are not up to speed, but in case some slips out, please be sure to check out the source material before you continue listening!Stay nerdy and stay faithful,- J.B.Subscribe to "Content for Creators" on YouTube to listen to some of the music used for these episodes!

Our guest for this episode is Owen Haacke, co-founder of Supply Chain Shark and a licensed customs broker. Owen is renowned for guiding businesses through the complex landscape of US Customs and tariffs. In this episode, we reconnect with Owen to discuss the evolving nature of import tariffs and the impact of recent regulatory changes on global trade. Owen provides expert insights into the complexities of tariff classifications, emphasizing the importance of understanding HTS codes and country of origin considerations. He dives into examples of how tariff exemptions can be leveraged to reduce costs, focusing on select categories like electronics and children's products. Tune in for a comprehensive discussion that equips businesses with the knowledge to make informed decisions in the face of changing trade regulations.    Show Sections 00:00: Meet the Guest: Owen Haacke on Trade Law and Tariffs 03:08: Recent Changes in Tariff Regulations 08:30: The End of De Minimis Exemption 13:20: Urgency in Relocating Production 17:07: Understanding Country of Origin 22:57: Real-World Examples and Legal Gray Areas  27:36: India, Vietnam, and the Shift Away from China 32:07: Importance of Due Diligence   Related content... You can connect with Owen via his LinkedIn profile Importing to the USA, HTS Codes, and Tariff Tips (Feat. Owen Haacke of Supply Chain Shark) Get help to move your production to India or Malaysia A de minimis tariff exemption expires Friday. Here's what that means for shoppers. (CBS News)   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB   Get in touch with us Connect with us on LinkedIn Contact us via Sofeast's contact page Subscribe to our YouTube channel Prefer Facebook? Check us out on FB

On the latest episode of Protecting America, Ron Vitiello, Senior Advisor for US Customs and Border Protection, Former Acting Director of ICE and Former Chief of Border Patrol, joins Rita Cosby to discuss new Trump Administration initiatives to increase deportations of criminal migrants... as the President continues to face resistance by many Democratic political leaders.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textWhat happens when your chronic illness becomes the catalyst for global exploration and environmental advocacy? This week we talk to Nicholas Mertens! Nick was diagnosed with Crohn's disease six years ago and he's turned his health journey into a platform for investigating how climate change impacts healthcare systems worldwide.While most college students rarely venture beyond their comfort zones, Nick has represented his university at United Nations climate conferences in Dubai and Azerbaijan, researched indigenous biodiversity in Australia, and traveled to eight countries across four continents—all while managing his Crohn's disease. The political science and environmental studies major shares his remarkable journey from diagnosis to long-term remission, revealing how these experiences shaped his understanding of global health challenges.The conversation takes fascinating turns as Nick details the practicalities of international travel with a chronic condition. From refrigerating Humira during 40-hour journeys to navigating customs with medication documentation, his strategies are invaluable for anyone with IBD considering travel. His culinary adventures prove equally enlightening—discovering his body tolerated exotic kangaroo meat perfectly while rejecting familiar McDonald's hamburgers in foreign countries. These unexpected reactions highlight the unpredictable nature of Crohn's and the importance of flexibility when managing the condition abroad.Nick's involvement with the Young Patients Autoimmune Research and Empowerment Alliance (YP-AREA) demonstrates his commitment to supporting other young people with chronic conditions. This growing organization creates educational resources specifically for adolescents and young adults navigating autoimmune diseases—demographics often overlooked in medical literature and research.Listen as Nick shares his powerful perspective on remission, defining it not by lab results but by quality of life and regaining control over your condition. His parting wisdom reminds us that climate change and healthcare are "inextricably linked," and understanding these connections is crucial for anyone living with chronic illness in our rapidly changing world.Links: Young Patients Autoimmune Empowerment Alliance (YP-AREA) Instagram YP- AREA YouTube- Video of the transitioning to adult care webinar they held with friend-of-the-show, Dr. Jordan ShapiroTraveling with prescription medications- US Customs and Border ControlTraveling with IBD- Crohn's & Colitis Foundation USAIBD Passport- nonprofit with advice on traveling abroad with IBDLet's get social!!Follow us on Instagram!Follow us on Facebook!Follow us on Twitter!

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting in Boston from the Seaport Hotel this week! With thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people stateside and back home is Business Reporter for the Boston Globe Jon Chesto and Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.

On today's show we are talking about the methods that major importers are using to delay or outright eliminate the impact of tariffs. Let me be clear, I'm not a global transportation expert, nor am I here to offer any legal advice on what you can and can't do when it comes to importing good to the US or any other country for that matter. But I can point you in the direction of areas in which you might want to perform your own research.Tariffs and duties have been making daily headlines for the past month. We have also seen a lot of volatility when it comes to the regulations that seem to change from one day to the next.If you are importing goods to the US that might be already on a ship, you might be understandably upset to find that an order you placed months ago would face a steep tariff charge that you had not planned for, and then maybe a few weeks later discover that the tariff you paid might be changed, lowered, or maybe even eliminated. As a business owner, what can you do to protect the value of your inventory?To start with, you don't need to pay the tariff the second the goods enter the country. Again, I'm not offering advice here. This is something you will want to check out for yourself with the consultation of experts. There is something called a customs bonded warehouse. The items in a customs bonded warehouse are physically in the US, but have not cleared US Customs. The duty only gets paid when the goods leave the warehouse. So let's say that you have several months of inventory in your supply chain. You maintain a steady flow of material entering the country and those deliveries are coming every 4 weeks. You have 3 months until you deplete your domestic inventory. So instead of paying the tariff when the container comes off a ship, how about putting those contents in a bonded warehouse instead?--------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

Tariff Turmoil and Trade Disruption with Kim KirkendallWelcome to this special episode of the Asia Business Podcast. Today, we're joined by Kim Kirkendall from International Resource Development Inc., a seasoned consultant specializing in international operations, supply chain, and international trade. With valuable experience across multinational companies and as the host of the International Trade Resources podcast, Kim brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. They dive deep into the ongoing challenges of supply chain disruptions, focusing on tariffs and the hurdles businesses face in this volatile environment.Introducing Kim KirkendallConnect with KimKim Kirkendall is a distinguished consultant and advisor on international trade, supply chain, and operations, primarily for multinational corporations. With her roots in China, Kim's career journey boasts managing factories and supply chains across Asia Pacific, culminating in the establishment of her consulting firm over two decades ago. Her expertise extends to advising international companies, particularly from New Zealand and Australia, in navigating trade and manufacturing challenges.Unpacking the Impact of Tariffs on Supply ChainsArt and Kim delve into current supply chain disruptions, particularly scrutinizing the role tariffs play in today's economic climate. With 2025 witnessing heightened uncertainty, Kim emphasizes the importance of strategic planning over reactionary measures. Recent trade wars and tariff policies have introduced significant volatility, making it imperative for businesses to plan but avoid rash decisions based on fleeting news.Strategic Responses to Tariff ChallengesKim provides practical insights into how companies can strategically maneuver around these obstacles. Key strategies include reengineering products, optimizing packaging, and considering alternative shipping methods to minimize costs. Though challenging, mitigating tariff impacts often involves innovative solutions like first sale principles and careful consideration of country of origin regulations.The Role of Supplier RelationshipsA significant thread through the discussion is the need for strong supplier relationships and transparency. Kim warns against pushing cost-cutting measures onto suppliers without open communication, as this can precipitate quality issues down the line. She advocates for collaborative approaches that ensure supplier stability and uphold quality standards amidst tariff-induced pressures.Decision Fatigue and Mitigation MeasuresOver recent months, the business community has faced 'decision fatigue' with constant tariff changes. Kim underscores the importance of fatigue management, urging companies to focus on strategic decision-making rather than immediate reactions. She highlights the essential practice of scenario planning, offering businesses the ability to swiftly adapt to changes while mitigating risks efficiently.Conclusion: Navigating the Storm with ResilienceAs the conversation wraps up, Kim emphasizes that while predicting future tariff trends is nearly impossible, businesses must remain resilient and prepared for any scenario. Short-term mitigation strategies, coupled with comprehensive scenario planning, can significantly alleviate the stress of tariff uncertainties and provide a balanced approach to business continuity.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:59 Kim Kirkendall's Background and Experience03:09 Current Supply Chain Disruptions06:34 Tariff Impacts and Company Strategies16:24 Mitigation Strategies and Practical Advice31:45 Long-term Planning and Scenario Analysis36:26 Conclusion and Contact Information ProducerJacob ThomasFollow UsLinkedInApple Podcasts

This week, Walter and Jeremy discuss Harvard vs. Trump, Israel vs. Iran, Tourists vs. US Customs, and the Dollar vs. the World. Each week on What Really Matters, Walter Russell Mead and Jeremy Stern help you understand the news, decide what matters and what doesn't, and enjoy following the story of America and the world more than you do now. For more, check out tabletmag.com/what-really-matters. You can read Walter Russell Mead's Tablet column here, and check out more from Tablet here. Connect with us Follow the podcast on Twitter Follow Walter on Twitter Follow Jeremy on Twitter Email us: wrm@tabletmag.com

Burnie and Ashley discuss the Fed's hard line, Fyre Festival 2 cancelled, anime figures destroyed by US Customs, Rule 34, 4chan, Homestar Runner, 3/4 inch tapes, a microwave tangent, George RR Martin's lifetime curse, and how many words per day to write a novel.Support our podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/morningsomewhereFor the link dump visit: http://www.morningsomewhere.comFor merch, check out: http://store.morningsomewhere.com

Amidst tariff discussions, a report from US Customs and Border Protection indicates a significant reduction in illegal border crossings in March under the Trump administration compared to early 2024 under Biden. This decline is attributed to increased border patrols, with the agency highlighting record low apprehension numbers and suggesting operational control is nearing reality. Concurrently, while border crossings decreased, seizures of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, saw a notable rise during the same period. Despite this development in border security, the article notes that it has received less media attention than might be expected.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First, the U.S.-China tariff war is taking another alarming turn, as China stops shipments of essential rare earth metals and magnets, imperiling U.S. industries reliant on Beijing's minerals monopoly. Later in the show—we turn to the southern border, where according to new data from US Customs and Border Protection, illegal migrant crossings have plummeted to a record low under the Trump administration. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Kikoff: Tax season is the perfect time to take control of your financial future. Get your first month FREE at https://getkikoff.com/mike TriTails Premium Beef: Visit https://TryBeef.com/PDB for 2 free Flat Iron steaks with your first box over $250 Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pre-show: Casey’s lightly boken his AirPods Pro 2 Porsche Taycan Ioniq 5 BMW i4 Chevy Bolt

The US Customs and Border Protection announced in an updated guidance late Friday that the government has exempted smartphones, computers and other electronic products from its "reciprocal tariffs."美国海关与边境保护局在周五深夜更新的政策指南中宣布，政府已将智能手机、计算机及其他电子产品从"对等关税"清单中豁免。The document stated that the exemption applies to electronic products entering the United States after April 5, and "reciprocal tariffs" already paid can be refunded upon request.文件显示，此项豁免适用于4月5日之后进入美国市场的电子产品，已缴纳的"对等关税"可根据申请退还。"This is a massive U-Turn in tariff policy," said the Kobeissi Letter, a financial newsletter on social media X.社交媒体X平台知名金融简报《Kobeissi快讯》评论称："这是关税政策的重大转折。"The latest announcement could potentially cushion consumers from sticker shock while benefiting electronics giants including Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co, according to Bloomberg.据彭博社分析，这项最新政策既能缓解消费者面临的价格冲击，也将使苹果公司和三星电子等科技巨头获益。The broad and unpredictable tariff policies have triggered turbulence in financial markets and even drawn criticism from key figures within the Republican Party, including former Vice President Mike Pence.当前广泛且难以预测的关税政策已引发金融市场动荡，甚至招致包括前副总统迈克·彭斯在内的共和党核心人物的批评。exemptv.豁免refundv.退还cushionv.缓解triggerv.引发reciprocal tariffs对等关税

In early January, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from El Centro near San Diego launched a deportation raid in Kern County, more than six hours from their usual area of operation. The man behind the effort is Gregory Bovino, head of CBP's El Centro sector. He claimed the operation targeted criminals that were illegally in the US, but arrest data show that, of the nearly 80 people that were swept up by the agents out of El Centro, Border Patrol had an arrest record for just one individual. Ultra low-budget airliner, Avelo, is shuttering its Bay Area hub at Sonoma County's Charles M. Schultz Airport, after it got tapped by the Trump Administration to conduct mass deportation flights. One Sonoma County Supervisor is condemning the move, saying it would hurt the local economy in the long-run. Prop 36, California's voter-approved "tough on crime" bill,  is still a  head-scratcher for lawmakers in Sacramento, who are still debating on how to actually fund its rollout statewide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Tobon sits down with us and discusses his over 30-year career battling financial crime at US Customs and HSI.

At least five international students at UC San Diego face an uncertain future after their F-1 visas were unexpectedly revoked. We're learning that two San Diego based US Customs and Border Protection officers are facing federal charges for allegedly taking bribes to let vehicles with undocumented migrants into the US. Carlsbad police had to rescue a seas lion from a bike lane on Carlsbad Boulevard.   What You Need To Know To Start Your Sunday. 

Interview with retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge HSI John McCabeYears of Service: 1991-2024Born and raised in the Southside of Chicago, John comes from a long line of policemen including his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father who all worked for the Chicago Police Department.John has had a long and storied career, starting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Dallas Police Department, Chicago Police Department, and Secret Service, and finally retiring with Homeland Security Investigations.Throughout his career, John worked as a patrol officer, focusing on gangs and guns. He also investigated counterfeit currency, money laundering, and drug trafficking and worked on protective details.From January to June 2023, John was assigned to HSI HQ as a liaison to the US Customs and Border Protection commissioner's office and as the HSI representative to DHS's Southwest Border Coordination Center.

The MPC app may not be a new invention, but it's the perfect hack to navigating US travel. The Mobile Passport Control app is free to download - and it can help travellers quickly navigate US Customs. BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton explains the app further - read more about it here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Randy welcomes fellow comedian Steven Briggs to the podcast. The boys open the show discussing cuckholding. Steven shares some of his background growing up half-latino in the Bronx, similar to Randy's New York City upbringing. They move on to talk about Steven's previous jobs being both the Chuck E. Cheese rat and Jamba Juice Banana man. Randy asks Steven about his experience acting in commercials. Steven shares some tips on how to avoid the daily news cycle. They talk about the sudden shift in the public opinion on Tesla and Elon Musk. The guys close with some news - Intelligent people tend to hate small talk, US Customs are seizing more eggs than fentanyl at the Canadian boarder, and a woman in South Korea set the record for most failed drivers license tests.   Outro: “Funk Doctor” by Gee Dubs   Social Media: Instagram: @randyvalerio @readysetblowpodcast Twitter: @randytvalerio @readysetblowpodcast TikTok: @randyvaleriocomedy @readysetblowpod YouTube:   @randyvaleriocomedy   @readysetblowpodcast     #comedypodcast #comedy #podcast #podcastclips #comedyvideo #news #advice #standup #standupcomedy #comedian #jokes #latino #newyork #nyc #puertorico #boriqua #acting #actors #actorslife #commercial #commercials #tesla #elon #elonmusk #politics #politicalnews #breakingnews #smalltalk #eggs #fentanyl #fentanylcrisis #southkorea #korea #driverslicense #drivingtest #fail #baddrivers

"Oopsie, too late. "That post on X from the President of El Salvador got retweeted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the weekend with a laugh-crying emoji over a headline about a judge's ruling. The judge ordered the Trump Administration not to deport Venezuelans to El Salvador. That came after a Brown University physician in the United States on an H1-B visa from Lebanon was sent back. Even though a federal judge issued an order that she appear at an in-person hearing on Monday.In a court filing today, lawyers for the government said US Customs and Border Patrol officers said they didn't learn of the order until after the doctor was sent back.The administration insists it is not defying court orders. Trump hasn't yet openly and explicitly defied the courts. Can he undermine them just by flirting with defiance?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

KIMCHI ONE – heal your body from the inside out. Visit: https://mybrightcore.com/andweknow and get 25% off with code: AWK Or call (888) 317-9941) for up to 50% off! Interview: https://shorturl.at/6IYJL  ————  For a limited time, you can get $10 off an annual plan using promo code LT10. Visit www.Rumble.com/premium/LT10 and claim your discount today. ———— Protect your investments with And We Know http://andweknow.com/gold Or call 720-605-3900, Tell them “LT” sent you. ————————————————————— AT SEA with LT cruise: https://www.inspirationtravel.com/Ita LIVE Q&A was Feb 20: https://tinyurl.com/58n3hhwh ———— Protect your investments with And We Know http://andweknow.com/gold Or call 720-605-3900, Tell them “LT” sent you. ————————————————————— *Our AWK Website: https://www.andweknow.com/ *Our 24/7 NEWS SITE: https://thepatriotlight.com/ ————————— Tom Homan https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899958651093209391 Chuck Schumer, announced that Democrats will block the spending plan approved by House Republicans. https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899927226658754868 Alina Habba claims that a large batch of Epstein documents are under review & that prosecutions are pending. https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899908432720716183 TODAY: Following efforts with our interagency partners, I can report that a career Director level employee at US Customs and Border Protection has been charged https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1899871370353283373 This administration is wholeheartedly focused... on driving down costs https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899891548520632507 President Trump says "I think the markets are gonna soar." https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899874894109958654 "Ireland is known for very happy, fun loving people ... Why in the world would you let Rosie O'Donnell move to Ireland?” https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899862259402260670 American gas prices for March fall to lowest price since March 2021 - GasBuddy https://x.com/andweknow/status/1899859508672753706 ————————— *DONATIONS SITE: https://bit.ly/2Lgdrh5 *Mail your gift to: And We Know 30650 Rancho California Rd STE D406-123 (or D406-126) Temecula, CA 92591 ➜ AWK Shirts and gifts: https://shop.andweknow.com/ ➜ Audio Bible https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/kjv/1John.3.16 Connect with us in the following ways:

In this episode, we delve into a series of engaging and humorous stories. First, we hear about the complex and tedious 'duty drawback' process in US Customs compliance, where unexpected outcomes lead to mountains of paperwork and a unique form of petty compliance. Next, an armed security guard shares a hilarious encounter with a CEO during a misguided policy enforcement at a hospital. We then move to a story of an IT professional who takes the term 'Frankenstein a workstation' to new levels while dealing with insufferable sales reps and outdated equipment. Lastly, we get a tale of petty revenge in a shopping center parking lot and a nostalgic story about breaking a cellphone to hasten getting a new one. Enjoy these captivating adventures of workplace drama, clever comebacks, and sweet vengeance.Submit your own stories to KarmaStoriesPod@gmail.com.Karma Stories is available on all major Podcasting Platforms and on YouTube under the @KarmaStoriesPodcast handle. We cover stories from popular Reddit Subreddits like Entitled Parents, Tales From Tech Support, Pro Revenge and Malicious Compliance. You can find new uploads here every single day of the week!Rob's 3D Printing Site: https://Dangly3D.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/karma-stories--5098578/support.

-- On the Show: -- Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) joins David to discuss the trajectory of the Trump economy, the future of Social Security and Medicare, and much more -- Another downward GDP revision from the Atlanta Fed as Donald Trump's tariffs take effect and the economy appears to be on a clear downward trajectory -- Donald Trump crashes the stock market with his new tariffs -- Serious health fears grow about Donald Trump as his strange gait and limp become increasingly pronounced -- Donald Trump has halted all aid to Ukraine in a major gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin -- Social Security payments are facing disruption under Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE interference -- The Trump administration is caught pathetically and obviously lying about border crossing numbers -- On the Bonus Show: Trump supporters lose $12 billion as his cryptocurrency collapses, US Customs cracks down on egg smuggling as prices soar, Andrew Cuomo attempting political comeback in running for NYC Mayor's race, much more...

This hour Henry wonders if downsizing as you grow older a trend, he says whatever you do, don't get a fine from US Customs, plus we have Bite of the Night and Headlines.

Join Andy, Randy, and Beau for a spirited conversation about worms, cigars, and US Customs.

“He who holds the gold makes the rules,” Mark would quip, adding “and the ultimate gold is black. Black mail videos.” My whole life those ruling our world by Blackmail termed themselves New World Order of the Rose. The Order of the Rose was a secret society of self-appointed, self-anointed leaders comprised of Jesuits and CIA.  These power mongers did not trust each other either, so they kept compromisingly perverse Blackmail videos of each other filmed during secret meetings. As a young child, I was sex trafficked to various politicians and global leaders who met at what was the Epstein Island of its time Mackinac Island Michigan.  Most perpeTraitors I was exposed to were aware that they were being covertly filmed since it was the ultimate rule of being a secret society Order of the Rose member. It was also understood that these Blackmail videos were held in vaults at the Vatican, through the infiltrated Mafia network, and by various individuals. One such individual that held Blackmail videos in the 1980s was Hollywood actor Michael Dante'. I had cause to see Dante's wall of vaults when I was in his Hollywood home in 1986 as detailed in my testimony for Congress TRANCE Formation of America.   How does a B grade actor come into such a high position as keeper of the Blackmail? Dante' was closely associated with Jack Valenti, head of the Motion Picture Association of America and godfather over Hollywood and politics due to his friendships with Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, the Vatican and more.  Jack Valenti's power grew when the New World Order gained control through the Kennedy Assassination. Valenti fed us the media cover-up for Ford's Warren Commission, first coining the term “conspiracy theorist” for anyone questioning the narrative. Black mail and infiltration had blurred the line between Vatican Jesuits, the Mafia, and CIA which Michael Dante' epitomized by wearing all hats. Seemingly tied to everyone, Dante's position put him in charge of covert filming at the Bohemian Grove, Clintons' Swiss Villa Amphitheater in Lampe, Missouri, and spontaneous meeting places such as the one where I was trafficked in Malibu where Bush, Reagan, Salinas, De la Madrid, and more had met to finalize criminal groundwork for  NAFTA. Dante' had seen it all, done it all, and held the evidence much like the Diddy or Epstein of his day.  I was about to turn 30 and was scheduled to be sacrificed at Bohemian Grove for what I knew about inner operations of the New World Order, specifically Order of the Rose. Dante's vault also held Snuff films proving the execution of those like me who ‘knew too much'. This word had reached intelligence insider Mark Phillips, who ultimately intercepted me enroute to my executioner Michael Dante. Mark saved me from certain death, and my daughter Kelly from a fate worse than death. Because I had been programmed heavily under MK Ultra mind control to go to Michael Dante', I was obsessed with the need to fulfill my mission. Mark's initial efforts to keep my daughter and me safe were strenuous under the circumstances, especially considering we were literally dodging bullets that I was straining to run back into as programmed.  Mark asked me who was shooting at us, insisting I write it out by hand and not vocalize. Writing it out defused my programming and showed me my truth. As quickly as I wrote out memory, it was validated by clean members of intelligence and law enforcement. William Von Raab of  US Customs validated my testimony detailing groundwork for NAFTA that was rooted in drug and human trafficking across open borders, which in turn funded the New World Order.  Read the full transcript on Cathy's website here!

Seized machines from Bitcoin miners are slowly being released. Is that the Trump affect or is more to come?You're listening to The Mining Pod. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 8,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comWant to mine Bitcoin? Check out the Blockspace Media store today!Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, hosts Colin and Will dive into the ongoing saga of US Customs and Border Protection seizing Bitcoin mining hardware at various ports of entry. Initially targeting Antminer units in late 2024, the seizures expanded to include equipment from Whatsminer and Canaan, costing some companies millions in detained assets. The hosts explore how industry lobbying - particularly through Senator Lummis and connections to the Trump administration - has begun to resolve the situation, along with theories about why these unprecedented seizures occurred in the first place. Could this push more manufacturing onshore?Notes:- $5 million worth of hardware seized from one company- Seizures expanded beyond Antminer to Whatsminer/Canaan- Detentions began Sep 2024, escalated to seizures Feb 2025- Shipments being released after industry lobbying- Sen. Lummis and White House helped resolve situation- CBP cited unauthorized communications equipment lawsTimestamps:00:00 Start02:17 History of seizure trend09:08 Lobbying the government for release17:42 Follow on effects20:13 Bitmain plans24:20 Conspiracy corner: Evil or Entropy

Something new for us here! Backing the men and women of law enforcement this week showcasing US Customs and Border Protection. Come here all about it from Evan, a 33-year vet. Powered by Garage beer and good times!!

You're listening to The Mining Pod. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 8,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Want to mine Bitcoin? Check out the Blockspace Media store today! Welcome back to The Mining Pod! Today, hosts Colin and Will dive into the ongoing saga of US Customs and Border Protection seizing Bitcoin mining hardware at various ports of entry. Initially targeting Antminer units in late 2024, the seizures expanded to include equipment from Whatsminer and Canaan, costing some companies millions in detained assets. The hosts explore how industry lobbying - particularly through Senator Lummis and connections to the Trump administration - has begun to resolve the situation, along with theories about why these unprecedented seizures occurred in the first place. Could this push more manufacturing onshore? Timestamps: 00:00 Start 02:17 History of seizure trend 09:08 Lobbying the government for release 17:42 Follow on effects 20:13 Bitmain plans 24:20 Conspiracy corner: Evil or Entropy Notes: - $5 million worth of hardware seized from one company - Seizures expanded beyond Antminer to Whatsminer/Canaan - Detentions began Sep 2024, escalated to seizures Feb 2025 - Shipments being released after industry lobbying - Sen. Lummis and White House helped resolve situation - CBP cited unauthorized communications equipment laws

Israel's military is conducting raids in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Israel is seeking to flush out armed Palestinian factions in the area. This comes as some 90 Palestinians prisoners were released from Israeli prisons following a ceasefire deal in Gaza with Hamas. Also, Denmark has announced plans to rethink a parenting competency test that has earned heavy criticism for using Danish cultural norms to measure fitness in Greenland's Inuit communities. Human rights groups have long expressed concerns that bias baked into the test can lead to children being unjustly removed from Indigenous families. Also, what it would mean globally, for the US to withdraw from the World Health Organization — and what that process would actually look like. And, the US Customs and Border Protection announced Monday that the CBP One app would no longer be used to admit migrants. We hear from people who'd been relying on the app to get into the US legally.Listen to today's Music Heard on Air. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

When the dog bites, when the bee sti— Oooh! Eh ehm. Excuse us. Didn't see you there. Just warming up the vocal chords for our 2024 FAVORITE THINGS EPISODE!!! Comment on our recently pinned Instagram or X posts to let us know what you think about our picks, your favorites, or any footy travel suggestions you have for us in 2025! Foot(y)notes: Here are some of our favorite things worth checking out ASAP… Jimmy Rees Instagram Reel on “The Guy Who Decides the Premier League” “Once In a Lifetime” on YouTube (by Eli Mengem and Copa 90)  “Welcome to Wrexham” on FX The Mobile Passport app from US Customs and Border Patrol   02:43 | Mike has an offer 05:39 | Mike gives the rundown 07:33 | TOP 5 Matches & Travel Experiences - COLIN 15:02 | TOP 5 Matches & Travel Experiences - MIKE 25:47 | TOP 4 Media & Content Pieces - COLIN 35:31 | TOP 4 Media & Content Pieces - MIKE 46:53 | TOP 3 Travel Tips & Lessons Learned - COLIN 51:01 | TOP 3 Travel Tips & Lessons Learned - MIKE 58:10 | TOP 2 Things to look forward to in 2025 - MIKE 01:00:41 | TOP 2 Things to look forward to in 2025 - COLIN 01:03:49 | BIGGEST 2024 Takeaway - MIKE 01:08:25 | BIGGEST 2024 Takeaway - COLIN

In this episode, Johnny Mac shares five uplifting news stories. US Customs seize over 3000 fake Gibson guitars worth $18 million if authentic, while scientists find inspiration from octopuses for better denture adhesives. In Thailand, authorities rescue smuggled exotic animals, including lemurs and primates. A man in Texas is seen enjoying upscale dining with his horse, and police in England recover a stolen van with damaged pies intended for a Christmas market. Despite some oddities, these stories bring a positive note to the day. 00:11 Fake Gibson Guitars Seized00:40 Innovative Denture Solution Inspired by Octopuses02:35 Exotic Animal Smuggling Bust in Thailand03:13 Man Dines with Horse in Texas04:01 Stolen Van with 2,500 Pies Recovered Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!  You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!   

David has studied Meditation, Yoga, Vegetarian diet, world religions, ancient history, Physics, Math, Astronomy, Alternative Zero Point Energies for over 40 years.  He took physics in school to the college level and continued his studies ever since. In school, he presented his Physics teacher a time dialation theory which his techer admitted was way beyond anything he had seen since Einstein!  In 1990, David began working with MIT physicist Dr. Bogdan Maglich and teamed up with him to promote and fund Maglich's non-radioactive fusion power technology.  David Studied fusion power for over 10 years.  Then Maglich appointed David Sereda as Director of the Los Angeles Based "Tesla Foundation" under whcih David became a Tesla Technology expert and spoke in the united States Congress with Maglich and Company on Fusion Power. Next, Maglich appointed David as President of HiEnergy Microdevices, a new company (US Defense Contractor) using novel technology to detect burried landmines and to find hidden explosives and other contraband.  David did all of the US military communnications about the technology contracts and accounts including US Customs and the Coast Guard!  In the year 2006, David Sereda developed a technology not unlike a small nuclear fusion chamber to fuse frequency programs into crystals, and found that these frequencies could be stored in a crystal lattice if the secret to opening the lattice and closing it could be found.  He found it worked and the thousands of people who wore the pendants treated with the etchnology could feel the vibrations and confirmed this on human energy field aura camera testing! ​In 2009, David was developing the first LightStream Wand as a means of pulsing real gems through the Pulsed Crystal effect whereby a gem will emit real energy fields proprietary to the crystal and mineral composite for human and living systems healin​In 2015, David Sereda did the math to make the 14-pointed Star Coils, a base 7 math, and dividing 360 degrees in a full circle by 7= 51.428 degrees, which is ever so close to Great Pyramid Angle 51.85 degrees and the closest you can get to it dividing a circle by a whole number. ​Next, David came up with the theory that the staff of Moses, and other legends was used as an antenna to extend human consciousness.  Knowing the formula for an antenna is the height of the antenna x 4 = a full wavelenth and the speed of light divided by this wavelength would be the frequency Moses used to contact and receive from God, if we knew the exact length of the staff of Moses, ISIS and Jesus et all, we could know this sacred frequency.  It took 3 years for David to study every Royal Cubit Inch formula to find the correct one and to perfect the length of the staff and know the Frequency of God!His website is www.davidsereda.coBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/typical-skeptic-podcast--5897400/support.

This episode of Simply Trade is a must-watch for US Customs licensed brokers looking to understand the new continuing education requirements coming in 2025 and beyond. Hear from the 5 approved accreditors as they discuss the details of the program, how to get your training courses accredited, and tips for brokers to stay on top of earning the required credits. Don't wait until the last minute - tune in now to get all your questions answered! Helpful links: Stay ahead of the curve, check out our classes: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/   CBP's five partner accreditors are: E-Merchants Trade Council/Global Trade Professionals Alliance/Practera https://www.emtc.org/Education-Overview International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) https://www.icpainc.org/ National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) Educational Institute https://www.ncbfaa.org/education Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. https://www.strtrade.com/ TrüTrade Solutions https://www.trutradesolutions.com/ CBP: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/continuing-education #customsbroker #continuingeducation #cbp Connect with Simply Trade Podcast: - Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmyGU5foKm4aFlpo7Oms4g?sub_confirmation=1 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyTradePod - Website: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast/ Contact Us/ Suggest Topics Contact SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com Credits: Host: Andy Shiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyshiles/ Host/Producer: Lalo Solorzano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/ Co-Producer/Editor: Mara Marquez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maramarquez85/ 

Student of the Gun University just conducted another Martial Application of the Rifle class at the Pro Gun Vegas facility in Boulder City, Nevada. We will give you some after-action and lessons learned from the event. Despite the efforts of US Customs, counterfeit optics are making their way into the USA. During our Tech Talk from EOTech Inc, Professor Paul will discuss how to spot a counterfeit optic.  Are you prepared for all emergencies? During our SOTG Homeroom, we will consider how important it is to carry the fundamental four. Would you be ready to deal with an airplane dropping out of the sky in front of you on a highway? FEATURING: Pro Gun Vegas, KSL, Madison Rising, Jarrad Markel, Paul Markel, SOTG University PARTNERS: EOTech, FrogLube, Hi-Point Firearms, Spikes Tactical FIND US ON: iTunes, Stitcher, AppleTV, Roku, Amazon, GooglePlay, YouTube, Threads, Instagram, Facebook, X TOPICS COVERED THIS EPISODE Huge thanks to our Partners: EOTech | FrogLube | Hi-Point Firearms | Spike's Tactical [0:00:46] Xmas is coming; TSO and Christmas Story House [0:13:41] EOTech Talk - EOTechInc.com TOPIC: Beware Chinese Counterfeit optics! - $50 Optics are NOT Real [0:28:33] SOTG Homeroom - SOTG University TOPIC: Fundamental Four: Are you ready?  Small airplane makes emergency landing on I-15, involved in multi-car crash ksltv.com [0:49:28] Beware Counterfeit Optics & Other Rifle Class Lessons Pro Gun Vegas - progunvegas.com

Student of the Gun University just conducted another Martial Application of the Rifle class at the Pro Gun Vegas facility in Boulder City, Nevada. We will give you some after-action and lessons learned from the event. Despite the efforts of US Customs, counterfeit optics are making their way into the USA. During our Tech Talk […] The post Student of the Gun 1270 – Rifle at Pro Gun Vegas & Beware Counterfeit Optics! appeared first on Firearms Radio Network.

Documentary filmmaker and Director Darcy Weir returns with his latest film, "Transmedium: Puerto Rico's UFOs." In this new UAP/UFO documentary, he discusses the history of UAPs in Puerto Rico and his exclusive interview with the US Customs & Border agent who released the famous Aquadila UAP case in Puerto Rico.Diving into the chaos of UFOTwitter like a fearless spelunker, Darcy Weir is a documentary filmmaker who over the past two decades has chosen to explore some of the most intriguing topics of discussion today, including UFOs, Cryptids, and even Bitcoin. He has completed over 15 feature-length documentaries on these topics, all of which are available on Amazon Prime and Apple. His goal is to make the world of UFOs more accessible to the general public by shedding light on the subject in new ways.The Good Trouble Show: Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/thegoodtroubleshowPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheGoodTroubleShow YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodTroubleShow Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/GoodTroubleShow Instagram: @goodtroubleshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodtroubleshow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Good-Trouble-Show-With-Matt-Ford-106009712211646Threads:  @TheGoodTroubleShowBlueSky: @TheGoodTroubleShowBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-good-trouble-show-with-matt-ford--5808897/support.

  -Alien Romulus is coming to VHS for some reason: https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/alien-romulus-is-coming-to-vhs-110055668.html -Biggest bug ever: https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/18/science/arthropleura-giant-arthropod-fossil/index.html -Its over 9000!!! https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/researchers-seem-to-have-cracked-6g-wireless-achieving-speeds-over-9-000x-faster-than-the-5g-average-at-938-gbps-would-download-black-myth-wukong-in-1-1-seconds/ -AMD X3D coming soon: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/amd-teases-ryzen-9000x3d-chip-coming-november-7-cuts-pricing-on-all-other-ryzen-9000-chips -US Customs is holding up DJI's latest drone from releasing: https://www.engadget.com/cameras/dji-confirms-that-us-customs-is-holding-up-its-latest-consumer-drone-123007447.html?src=rss -Amazon finally has a color Kindle: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/16/24271632/amazon-kindle-colorsoft-specs-price-hands-on -Snapdragon 8 Elite announced: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/21/24273802/qualcomm-8-elite-oryon-cpu-android-smartphone-soc -Marketing is great, until it works. https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/bluesky-x-twitter-elon-musk-block-b2630894.html -Trains on the MOON!! https://mashable.com/article/moon-lunar-railroad?test_uuid=01iI2GpryXngy77uIpA3Y4B&test_variant=b

Working for US Customs is so much more than just checking people's bags at the airport.  Mario Bogran worked the ports undercover to stop the drug trade.  He laundered millions of dollars, acting like he was on the inside-- to make the case on his targets.  Listen to find out the craziest thing he sent to Columbia, how a take down really goes,  what can go wrong and how he knew the criminals watched The Godfather and why he quit.

9/16 Vince talks with Mark Morgan, Former acting commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection under the Trump administration and visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. For more coverage on the issues that matter to you visit www.WMAL.com, download the WMAL app or tune in live on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 3-6pm.  To join the conversation, check us out on social media: @WMAL @VinceCoglianese.      Executive Producer: Corey Inganamort @TheBirdWords See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9.16.24-Hour 3: In the third hour of The Vince Coglianese Show, Vince talks with Mark Morgan , Former acting commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection under the Trump administration and visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation.Also: Your calls. For more coverage on the issues that matter to you visit www.WMAL.com, download the WMAL app or tune in live on WMAL-FM 105.9 from 3-6pm.  To join the conversation, check us out on social media: @WMAL @VinceCoglianese.      Executive Producer: Corey Inganamort @TheBirdWords See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) party shocked Europe recently, scoring big wins in the recent EU Parliamentary elections. Brussels is terrified of the supposed "far right" gaining more power in Europe. But is AfD really "far right"? Today, AfD economist and regional spokesman Christopher Kofner joins the Liberty Report to explain what all the panic is about...and to for the first time reveal his own recent BIZARRE run-in with US Customs as he attempted to attend a conference in the US hosted by a libertarian think tank. You won't believe what happened to him!!!

Ex-federal agent Robert Mazur shares his experiences working undercover to infiltrate drug cartels, offering insights into the challenges involved. Pt 2/2. [Pt 1 can be found here!] What We Discuss with Robert Mazur: How Robert, working undercover for US Customs and the DEA, posed as a money launderer to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's Medellin cartel and other criminal organizations. Money laundering enables cartels to produce their most lethal product: corruption. Corrupt officials and governments facilitate drug trafficking operations. Money laundering methods are highly sophisticated, involving legitimate businesses, secret codes, and multi-national operations to evade detection. Banks and the global financial system need to change to combat money laundering effectively, with severe penalties for those involved in facilitating the flow of illicit funds. Despite the risks and close calls, Robert continued his undercover work to gather intelligence and evidence against drug cartels until it became clear that the price his family was paying was not worth continuing. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/988 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

Ex-federal agent Robert Mazur shares his experiences working undercover to infiltrate drug cartels, offering insights into the challenges involved. Pt 1/2. What We Discuss with Robert Mazur: How Robert, working undercover for US Customs and the DEA, posed as a money launderer to infiltrate Pablo Escobar's Medellin cartel and other criminal organizations. The extensive planning that goes into an undercover operation, including developing a detailed backstory, establishing fake businesses, and coordinating with informants and other agents. How Robert built rapport with targets by researching their interests, using active listening, and offering them gifts to gain their trust. Undercover agents must be laser-focused on their targets and avoid thinking about their personal lives, as any slip-up could compromise the operation and endanger their safety. During trials, these agents must be prepared for defense attorneys' tactics, such as role reversal, and maintain their composure to avoid compromising the case or their credibility in front of the jury. And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/987 This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!