U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

JoAnn Winks  

 

Johann Winks is the Assistant Port Director of Trade with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Area Port of Denver at Denver International Airport.  Winks recently meet with ICOSA and shared the following information and resources.

The department is responsible for guarding nearly 7000 miles of land border shared with Canada and Mexico.  Along with guarding nearly 2000 miles of coastal waters, as well as 9500 miles of maritime border in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.  They also secure and facilitate trade and travel.

Import specialists at customs can assist companies with understanding laws, regulations, quota restrictions and reduced rates of duty.  The U.S. Customs and Border Protection daily ensure U.S. regulations and laws.  The following list of four services/resources they offer is worth consideration.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifies everything that comes into the United StatesHTC is a global classification system that is able to describe most comedies across the world.  It applies tariff rates and specific statistical categories to all merchandise coming into the United States.  More detailed information is provided at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s website; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/duty_rates/.

The Generalized System of Preferences is a U.S. trade program designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing duty free entry.  It covers 4800 products and benefits 129 countries and territories.  A list of these products can be found at; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/special_trade_programs/gsp_gen_system/.

Formal entry forms must be filed if merchandise coming into the U.S. is valued over $2,000 and a customs agent or airline should fill it out.  This form and several others can be found at; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/forms/.

Go to the local Customs and Border Protection office to find out what items are restricted to bring into the U.S. such as animals, animal bi-products, firearms, plants and embargoed items including artifacts from other countries, toys and children items.  Contact information can be found at; http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/.

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Global Commerce Forum and the Alberta Oil Sands

Reliable energy discussions continue on the burgeoning demand in emerging countries.  The question is which is best clean or traditional?  A base energy infrastructure is needed in Africa to ensure a sustainable economy.  The discussion begins October 13th and 14th at the Global Commerce Forum.  To register for the event, visit: www.globalcommerceforum.org or watch live, at: www.livestream.com/icosamedia.  Keynote speakers include former Governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter; chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Coorstek, Inc., Dr. John Coors; permanent secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Energy, Patrick Nyoike; executive  coordinator of sustainable community development services in Kenya, John Maina and; co-founder of Envirofit and Solix Biofuels, Dr. Bryan Willson.  

Michael Conners toured Alberta, Canada to get the total picture on the Canadian oil sandsCanada exports 9 million barrels of oil per day to the U.S. The oil sands in Alberta Canada are stripped mined in an in-situ process.   In-situ uses a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operation.  The Pembina Institute, Syncrude and David Sands of the Alberta government/Public Affairs Bureau partnered with Jennifer Cook, communications and cultural affairs officer for the Consulate General of Canada to provide an in-depth look into the oil sands production, including the Keystone Pipeline Project.

Please continue to check ICOSA Magazine’s website for the future article on the oil sand tour.

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Camp Bow Wow―Where a dog can be a dog®

Heidi Ganahl  

 

Founder, president and CEO of Camp Bow Wow, Heidi Ganahl owns the largest pet care as well as women owned franchise in North America. Camp Bow Wow―the largest global doggy day care company, and a $50 million leader in the $47 billion United States pet sector now has 115 camps, one Canada camp, 25 home buddies, and 30 behavior buddies franchises.  Interest in potential franchisees grew after being featured on America Online. Camp Bow Wow’s future is growth with a goal of 500 units in the next four years, then international growth to Australia and the United Kingdom.

Ganahl financed Camp Bow Wow herself by putting her own equity and credit into Camp Bow Wow, which is never recommended but she knew the franchise business concept was best for her and her passion since she enjoyed growth, public relations and marketing, and charity.

She created the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit organizationdedicated to improving

Camp Bow Wow Calendar Contest

the lives and health of dogs.  Her greatest accomplishment is being at the forefront of a collaboration that has found homes for 5,000+ dogs.  Ganahl advices to, follow your gut, collaborate, and don’t listen to the nay-sayers when following your passion.

For more information, visit: www.bowwowbuddies.com

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