Your customs operations team behind your supply chain
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SOUTH CAROLINA TRADE AND LOGISTICS
including South Carolina’ s. It is considered an“ outsourced extension” of a logistics company or freight forwarder for customs compliance, import compliance and all customs interfaces that go along with importing into the US.
“ The biggest issue in our field right now is the consistent change in regulations that are occurring based on the administration’ s last executive order [ 14411 ],” Sierra said. Signed in June, this executive order— titled“ Strengthening Customs Enforcement”— gives CBP broad authority to demand supply chain verification and empowers the organization to develop unified standards for all US imports, stricter requirements for foreign entities, and enhanced transparency.
Rules and certain enforcements not already in place will be implemented gradually, Sierra noted. For example, recent regulatory changes involve a group of products that must undergo US consumer product safety testing and certification, among other things.
Staying ahead of changing regulations and tariff implementation and potential refunds is important for all importers, and Latin Gate has helped customers obtain refunds on some duties. The business typically works on refunds with customers virtually, Sierra added. The process takes between one to 1.5 hours, and customers get their money back in about 30 days— quicker than expected, Sierra noted.
“ Customers who want Latin Gate to clear import cargo for them must list Latin Gate as the notified party on the cargo airway or bill of lading,” Sierra said. This is important because shippers must complete their security filing before the cargo leaves the port of loading. While this is a familiar requirement for ocean freight, it’ s new for air freight and will be enforced as of January 2027, he added.
Upon arrival notice, Latin Gate takes over the shipment, clears it and handles government interfaces of all kinds.
“ We also handle last-mile delivery. So, we deal with terminals, ports, CBP and government agencies involved,” Sierra said. The cargo will be cleared to warehouse, distribution center or some other point as specified.
Groundwork laid
After years of significant investment in port infrastructure, SC Ports is now focused on monetizing these investments by bringing in different kinds of cargo
— including more breakbulk and rollon / roll-off( ro / ro)— and encouraging transloading. In May, SC Ports’ Board of Directors approved designs for expanding ro / ro operations to its rail-served North Charleston Terminal. Plans are to complete the project in 2028, including rail upgrades.
However, shifting trade policies could add some risk to the supply chain, particularly for a region so heavily focused on trade, TD Economics noted. Global shipping has seen some rough years and could see more.
Regardless, the mission of SC Ports is to boost the economy of the entire state as well as the Southeast.“ South Carolina’ s government understands that the port is the‘ economic driver of the state’ and encourages investment,” Mallace said.
email: janet. nodar @ spglobal. com
Your customs operations team behind your supply chain
Importers, logistics firms and freight forwarders running supply chains face constant pressure to keep cargo moving. With the current ongoing regulatory change in the customs process, that is where Latin Gate Customs Brokers, Inc., comes in to manage customs clearance, tariff exposure and regulatory compliance matters.
For 25 years, Latin Gate has focused exclusively on US Customs brokerage. Based in South Florida, its technology-driven remote filing capability lets the company clear cargo at any US port of entry— Charleston, Savannah, Inland Port Greer or another gateway— and offers a virtual on-the-ground presence.
For companies involved in managing supply chain operations, Latin Gate operates as a specialized extension to clients’ teams, providing bonded transportation and warehousing expertise, entry preparation and filing, tariff classification, duty and tariff analysis, documentation review, partner government agency requirements, and direct communication with US Customs and Border Protection. Client operations keep their focus on product and marketing while clearance and compliance are handled by Latin Gate.
That relationship works because of what Latin Gate does. Customs brokerage is its business— not an ancillary service. The company operates as a compliance-focused partner to clients’ import and logistics operations, aligned entirely with client goals and objectives.
South Carolina’ s entry corridor into the US is a natural fit. Latin Gate’ s experience spans vehicles and components, replacement and aftermarket parts, accessories, machinery and production equipment, as well as retail, consumer goods, OEM, distribution, and industrial supply chains.
With tariff and regulatory requirements shifting faster than at any point in recent memory, duty litigation and opportunities for obtaining refunds, importers, logistics firms, and freight forwarders need a broker who answers the phone and has the correct knowledge.
Latin Gate’ s objective is straightforward: Make its clients’ Customs operations responsive, compliant and effective, wherever their freight enters the United States. n
56 Journal of Commerce | October 5, 2026 www. joc. com