Industry Resources

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

Ocean Freight Update: Ocean Carriers’ Action Indicates Weak Demand

Ocean carriers are entering their busiest shipping phase known as peak season to those familiar with the container shipping industry. It is traditional for ocean carriers to impose a “Peak Season Surcharge” (PSS) on containers shipped from Asia to the United States during this peak period. The PSS is a good tool for shippers to gauge how carriers view future demand in the…

Is Your Company Prepared for SOLAS?

If your company ships ocean containers, you need to prepared for SOLAS. Effective July 1, 2016, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will be enforcing a new regulation in the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). This new regulation mandates that shippers provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) for every container as a condition for loading onto a ship for export. VGM…

IHSA Finalizes Ocean Contract Negotiations

After two months of negotiating with ocean carriers, the International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) is pleased to report that contract negotiations have been finalized. IHSA’s 2016-17 ocean carrier program offers rates and services with 11 different ocean carriers capable of providing service to and from every major trade lane in the world. The contract rates are…

International Housewares Shippers Association Issues Refund to Members

The International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) issued a refund to participants for 2015 totaling $186,139. The refund, which has become a staple of IHSA, is awarded by the IHSA Board of Directors at the conclusion of the association’s fiscal year. Each participant’s share depends on their level of participation and is based on every 40-foot equivalent unit (FEU)…

New Online Resource “Inspired Home” Launches To Generate Housewares Excitement

Compelling Articles, Videos, DIY Tips, Home Ideas and More Found at IHAInspiredHome.org As savvy consumers increasingly turn to the web to select kitchen utensils, organization tools, cookware pieces, home décor and more to “make their house a home,” a new online resource launches to deliver fresh content on emerging home trends and housewares…

IHA’s New Inspired Home Website Announces Editorial Calendar

Features on Halloween and fall-themed entertaining, food preparation and storage; personal care and grooming; home organization; closet and clothes care; garage organization and pet care will launch the new Inspired Home website created by the International Housewares Association. The website, www.IHAInspiredHome.org, is part of IHA’s consumer-focused initiative that will…

IHA Launches Alternative Dispute Resolution Initiative

By Debbie Teschke, Manager of Media Relations & Communications With U.S. civil litigation costs escalating to $200 billion to $300 billion annually, the International Housewares Association (IHA) has launched an initiative to help members save time and money by exploring Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) instead of litigation in a courtroom setting. ADR methods include…

Carriers Will Decide Stability of Shipping Market

Author: Jeff Bergmann, International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) On June 4th, I wrote a blog titled “Container Space and Equipment Challenges Persist in Asia”. Almost four months have passed and many of the same challenges persist within the Asia - United States market. No doubt, the chaos experienced by shippers during the months of May, June, and July has…

Container Space and Equipment Challenges Persist in Asia

Author: Jeff Bergman, International Housewares Shippers Association (IHSA) A recent headline on the Journal of Commerce website that read "Carriers Restoring Capacity Faster Than Demand" had many importers scratching their heads. Any person responsible for moving cargo from Asia to the United States understands that nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, demand is…