Industry Resources

Learn about IHA’s cost-saving programs, including the International Housewares Shippers Association, designed to help members grow their business!

“COVID 4” Legislation

From March through early June, Congress passed five bills to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that became law. In order of passage they are: H.R. 6074, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (“COVID 1”); H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“COVID 2”); H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security…

Container Space Tightens from Asia to US

Due to lack of demand, carriers cancelled 20% of Asia to US sailings for the month of May. They have already announced plans to cancel 20% of their Asia to US sailings for the month of June. The containers already booked for June sailings reinforces that demand is starting to rebound. The uptick in container volume is a positive sign for all stakeholders but also presents…

Covid-Related Business Tools – CARES Act

Employee Retention Credit (Section 2301 of the Act): Refundable payroll tax credit equal to 50% of up to $10,000 in wages per employee, including health benefits, if employer operations were fully/partially suspended due to a COVID-19 governmental shutdown, or if gross receipts declined more than 50% in a quarter compared to the same quarter in 2019. Credit applies…

Sourcing Shift from China Continues

The prolonged trade war between the US and China plus the emergence of COVID-19 have changed how importers should evaluate risk when finalizing their sourcing options. Importers that rely 100% on China for sourcing are more at risk than importers that have multiple sourcing options. Many US importers have already learned a lesson from relying too heavily on China for their…

Update to Special Reports on Coronavirus Assistance: Federal Legislation and Administrative Actions as of April 24, 2020

This special report is to update previous editions with information on the latest congressional legislation (“COVID 3.5”) and details concerning earlier bills and administrative actions. Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, H.R. 266, or (“COVID 3.5”): On April 24, the President signed H.R. 266 to appropriate some $484 billion in additional federal…

Administration Defers Duties on Certain Tariffs

On April 19, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order based on National Emergency authority declared March 13 to give the Treasury Secretary the ability to defer payments of certain import duties, taxes and fees for 90 days. This was followed by a Temporary Final Rule published April 20 by the DHS Customs and Border Patrol that states the 90-day deferral doesn’t…

Special Report (2nd Edition) on Coronavirus Assistance

Federal Legislation and Administrative Actions as of April 2, 2020 This special report is to provide basic information on federal legislation and administrative actions in place to help individuals and businesses deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) epidemic. Congress passed and the President signed a $2 trillion recovery bill (the CARES Act) on March 27, and…

Special Report on Coronavirus Assistance

Federal Legislation and Administrative Actions Taken as of March 20, 2020 This special report is to provide basic information to IHA members on federal legislation and administrative actions now in place to help individuals and businesses deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) epidemic. While Congress works on a massive stimulus bill of $1 trillion or more that…

IHSA Ocean Contract Negotiations

IHSA and our carrier partners are fully engaged in contract negotiations that determine annual shipping rates for cargo shipped from Asia to the US. The new shipping rates will go into effect on May 1, 2020 and expire on April 30, 2021. When negotiations began, both parties were prepared to discuss the usual topics of rates, fuel, detention free time and space allocation.…