Alex Aponte

How to Assess Manufacturer and Supplier Compliance Before Importing

This is a guest post by Alex Aponte, Director of Customs at Importal. The process of importing goods into the United States can seem straightforward with the variety of services and marketplaces available. However, there are inherent risks if you aren’t familiar with the complex regulations. One of the most crucial

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Alex Aponte

The Art and Strategy of Tariff Engineering

This is a guest post by Alex Aponte, Director of Customs at Importal. Tariff engineering is the strategic design or modification of products with the goal of tailoring theclassification and mitigating the duty impact during the import process. By carefully consideringthe design, material composition, and intended use of the products in

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Eliza

Scaling Handmade Products with Authenticity: Pura Vida’s Growth Secret

Scaling handmade products is one of the biggest challenges in manufacturing. Many brands struggle to balance authenticity, ethical sourcing, and mass production. Pura Vida Bracelets is a prime example of a company that navigated these challenges successfully. Starting with just 400 handmade bracelets purchased for $200 in Costa Rica, Pura

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Manufacturing Line
Eliza

How to Scale Your Manufacturing Operations: A Step-by-Step Guide

Scaling your manufacturing operations is an exciting yet complex journey that requires careful planning and execution. From initial product development to engaging with factories, every step in the manufacturing process needs to be carefully considered to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency. In this blog, we’ll outline the key steps for

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Eliza

A Coordinated Strategy: How the New Tariffs Came to Be

The recent new tariffs imposed on China, Mexico, and Canada may appear as a sudden move, but in reality, this was a highly coordinated and meticulously orchestrated plan that has been in the works for months. Every action, from key personnel appointments to executive orders, seems to have been set

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