The Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code Explained 

By John F. Di Leo  If you’re going to import or export goods (and surprisingly, even if you’re not), among the first things to learn is the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification of your products.  This code is used for determining the duty you pay, as well as a host of other things, from […]

How To Use a Customs Bond for Your Import-Export Business

By John F. Di Leo  You’ve decided to start an import/export business, or to expand your existing business by importing goods from abroad and reselling them.  Wonderful!  America was founded on import/export business (nearly all the reasons behind our War of Independence had to do with disagreements […]

Using Commercial Letters of Credit in Your Small Business

By John F. Di Leo Congratulations!  A potential foreign customer for your small business has placed an order.  You’re going global!  That’s terrific!  As good as this is, there are challenges with export orders that don’t exist with domestic orders –export controls, Customs documents, origin marking requirements, all […]

The Tales of Little Pavel

Fictional stories about a real American crisis… by Illinois Review columnist John F. Di Leo Early in his career with Illinois Review, John F. Di Leo set out to educate the public about the problem of vote fraud. Most Americans […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 27, 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware,April 27, AD 2021“Good evening, sir!”“Oh. Good evening.”“I have soup for you, sir!”“Oh.”“Here you are, sir, Kitchen Cabinet Soup, sir.”“Never heard of it.”“Well, the cook said Kitchen Cabinet Soup is basically just a vegetable soup […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 26, 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware, April 26, AD 2021:“Good evening, sir! Ready for soup?”“Oh, Rhett… what are you doing here?”“Uh, I work here, sir… remember, I took the part time job bringing you soup each evening, sir?”“Isn’t the cook’s […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 25, 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware, April 25, AD 2021:“Good evening, sir! Ready for soup?”“Oh, certainly. What do we have tonight?”“Swedish Meatball Soup, sir!”“Oh? Neat. What’s in it?”“Swedish meatballs, sir.”“What else?”“Soup, I guess.”“No, didn’t she tell you the other ingredients?”“I’m […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 24, AD 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware, April 24, AD 2021: “Good evening, sir, I hope you’re hungry!” “Oh yes. Always ready for soup. What do we have tonight?” “Well, sir, I haven’t heard of this one before… Your cook said […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 23, AD 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware, April 23, AD 2021: “Good evening, sir! Happy Friday!” “What’s happy about it.” “Well, sir, for starters, you have some delicious soup heading your way!” “Soup? Oh, goodie.” “Beef Shank and Barley Soup, sir. […]

Evening Soup with Basement Joe, April 22, AD 2021

Overheard, in a basement in Delaware, April 22, AD 2021: “Good evening, sir! Rhett Snapper here, sir!” “Oh, hello again. Do you have soup for me?” “Yes indeed, sir! Spicy Shrimp with Ramen, tonight, sir.” “Oh? What’s that?” “Spicy Shrimp […]