Aries Freight Systems has assembled a list of links that will connect you to various government and industry websites with useful information on logistics, transportation, international trade, import/export issues, and outsourcing trends. We hope that you will find them to be valuable and informative resources.

U.S. Customs Service
The United States Customs Service web site publishes a thorough library of information resources that can answer questions and provide guidance on issues of customs clearance, restricted products, customs regulations and compliance issues. Extensive archives and search features also are a useful tool for historical information.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is an inter-government agency developed in 1964 to assist trade matters. Publications are available on their web page reporting on trade, finance, development, technology and investment issues. Press release information is included as are publications on specific countries.

U.S. Trade Representative
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and leading or directing negotiations with other countries on such matters. On this web page you will find historical information, trade agreements, and presidential proclamations. Sometimes it is the first place trade agreements that are posted.

U.S. Council for International Business
The United States Council for International Business provides an open system for promoting world trade, finance, and investment. Lots of information on trade matters, and specifically Carnet information.

Code of Federal Regulations
A very useful web site for researching and obtaining detail on U.S. Federal Regulations, Customs laws and other subjects of federal legislative and regulatory actions, etc.

Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Consumer Product Safety Commission web site has regular updates on products which are subject to recall or investigation for safety issues, as well as general information on product safety matters.

International Chamber of Commerce
The International Chamber of Commerce has the publication INCO Terms 2000 for sale here. A variety of other resources are included at this web site to provide information for the business community dealing extensively with trade issues and trade promotion.

U.S. Customs Electronic Bulletin Board
The CEBB was established to provide the trade community electronic access to Customs information. Originally available only through a dial-up modem, Customs now also provides access through this direct link from the Custom's web site. Some of the types of information available on CEBB that are not currently available on the Custom's main web site are:

• Quota threshold status, including the weekly commodity and sugar reports and the
  weekly critical list
• Antidumping and countervailing duty cases
• Currency conversion rates
• Intellectual property rights (trademarks and copyrights)

Customs is in the process of integrating all data onto the Customs web site providing the trade community as well as the general public with informative and timely Customs information.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. The Commission seeks to ensure that the nation's markets function competitively, and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue restrictions. The Commission also works to enhance the smooth operation of the marketplace by eliminating acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive. In general, the Commission's efforts are directed toward stopping actions that threaten consumers' opportunities to exercise informed choice. Finally, the Commission undertakes economic analysis to support its law enforcement efforts and to contribute to the policy deliberations of the Congress, the Executive Branch, other independent agencies, and state and local governments when requested.

U.S. Department of Transportation
The DOT consists of the Office of the Secretary and eleven individual operating administrations. These include the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Maritime Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Research and Special Programs Administration, the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the Surface Transportation Board and the Transportation Administrative Services Center.

U.S. Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.

U.S. Census Bureau
The U.S. Census Bureau is the collector and provider of timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States.

International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) helps U.S. businesses participate fully in the growing global marketplace by providing practical information to help businesses select markets for your products, ensuring that businesses have access to international markets as required by our trade agreements, and safeguarding businesses from unfair competition from dumped and subsidized imports. The ITA is headed by the Under Secretary for International Trade who oversees the operations of ITA's four units: The Commercial Service, Trade Development, Market Access and Compliance, and Import Administration.

U.S. International Trade Commission
The USITC is an independent, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides objective trade expertise to both the legislative and executive branches of government, determines the impact of imports on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and copyright infringement. USITC analysts and economists investigate and publish reports on U.S. industries and the global trends that affect them. The agency also updates and publishes the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

Office of Textiles and Apparel
Trade data, import quotas, trade agreements, trade events, publications, and textile correlation.

World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides an extensive web site presenting information dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

NAFTA Customs
This web site provides a variety of resources to help businesses understand and take advantage of NAFTA.

National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America
The NCBFAA represents more than 700 member companies-the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, Ocean Transportation Intermediaries (OTC's) and air cargo agents.

United States Council for International Business
USCIB was founded in 1945 to promote an open system of world trade, investment, and finance. It has a membership of over 300 multinational companies, law firms, and business associations. The USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce, International Trade who oversees the operations of ITA's four units: The Commercial Service, Trade Development, Market Access and Compliance, and Import Administration,the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD, and the International Organization of Employers. USCIB formulates policy positions through over 50 committees and working groups composed of business representatives. USCIB facilitates international trade through harmonization of commercial practices. USCIB issues and guarantees ATA Carnets, which allow temporary, duty-free imports into the U.S. and other countries.

United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel
USA - ITA is a nonprofit industry association representing the interests of the textile/apparel importing community before Congress, the Administration, U.S. Customs, other regulatory agencies, the business community and the public.

Federation of International Trade Associations
The Federation of International Trade Associations (FITA), founded in 1984, fosters international trade by strengthening the role of local, regional, and national associations throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada that have an international mission. FITA affiliates are 400+ independent international associations with an aggregate membership of more than 300,000 North American companies and organizations active in international trade.

American Association of Port Authorities
The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) is the alliance of ports of the Western Hemisphere. The Association promotes the common interests of the port community and provides leadership on trade, transportation, environmental and other issues related to port development and operations. AAPA furthers public understanding of the essential role fulfilled by ports within the global transportation system. The Association serves as a resource to help members accomplish their professional responsibilities.

Houston Customhouse Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association
HCBFFA has been instrumental in providing leadership to international trade service companies since 1982. Our membership represents over 75,000 importers and exporters who do business through Houston, the third largest seaport and one of the largest international gateways in the United States. Members are provided with a forum for exchanging ideas and staying informed on pertinent issued and new technologies that affect the international trade community.

Intermodal Association of North America
IANA is North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. IANA provides its members with a variety of products and services that not only meet the needs of a diverse and growing membership, but also address issues of common concern. These quality programs keep members informed of legislative and regulatory issues, and provide reliable industry data, educational forums, networking opportunities, news and information, and more.

International Air Cargo Association
TIACA is a worldwide organization which brings together all elements of the air logistics industry into a single, dynamic force for progress and growth in the ever-expanding arena of world trade and economic development. TIACA's mission is to champion the causes of the air logistics industry, promote unity and mutual cooperation among its members and advance the industry's role as a major power in world trade.

Air Transport World
The magazine of airline world management; covers airline and cargo industry news; provides analysis and insight on air cargo trends.

Air Cargo World
The air cargo industry's leading international monthly, providing in-depth analysis of trends and strategic decision-making involving airlines forwarders, express carriers and logistics companies. Based in Washington, D.C., with correspondents around the world, the magazine is published monthly in the U.S. and also publishes international editions nine times a year.

American Shipper
Known for its in-depth reporting on issues affecting the freight industry, global trade, customs and logistics, this monthly magazine covers air, ocean, maritime, trade, customs regulatory actions and shipper issues worldwide. Focus is primarily on North America although the coverage often contains international-related topics.

Bloomberg Business News
One of the major online business and financial news web sites, this wire service provides extensive coverage of daily business activities, financial, corporate and securities news, primarily for publicly traded companies.

CIO Online
Leading resource of IT trends and information services management issues for technology executives.

CNNfn the financial network
Web-based version of the popular television all news channel, provides up to the minute business and financial news as well as world and general news.

Industrial Distribution
The magazine for management and sales personnel involved in distribution operations for companies, as well as specialized distribution firms. Generally reports on distribution products, services, tools and techniques for industrial manufacturers.

Broker Power, Inc.
This online service monitors the actions of every Federal agency and institution involved in setting and implementing US trade policy, as well as reports on general international trade practices and trends.

JOC Online
Formerly the Daily Journal of Commerce, this weekly journal of international shipping and trade logistics provides extensive coverage of industry activities, trends, and news. This web-site version is updated with daily news.Logistics Management and Distribution Report - The most widely read monthly publication on logistics, LM&DR reports on current events, trends and issues related to global transportation, distribution, and logistics practice.

Logistics Management and Distribution Report
The most widely read monthly publication on logistics, LM&DR reports on current events, trends and issues related to global transportation, distribution, and logistics practice.

Material Handling Management
The complete guide to the material handling industry.

Modern Materials Handling
The magazine for managers and engineers responsible for handling materials and inventories in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution companies.

Purchasing.com
The magazine for purchasing professionals with an editorial focus on all facets of industrial production, manufacturing and distribution of raw materials and finished goods.

Shipping Digest Magazine
Shipping Digest provides comparative listings of cargo ships departing North America each week for destinations around the world. The magazine also includes news focused on the ever-changing services of the shipping companies, plus analysis of industry trends and profiles of shipping service markets.

Supply Chain Management Review
Published six times a year, this scholarly magazine emphasizes in-depth editorial problem analysis and case studies providing detailed review of supply chain management issues, techniques and challenges. Articles are published by both academics and industry professionals and are designed to portray supply chain practices for the logistics professional.

Supply Chain Technology News
A monthly publication, in tabloid format, providing tips, techniques and real-world solutions for supply chain professionals. Also covers emerging trends, practices and new hardware and software developments impacting supply chain management across the extended enterprise.

Tradeshow Week
A weekly magazine which publishes news, surveys, and how-to articles for show organizers and corporate exhibitors.

Traffic World
The industry's most authoritative and respected publication covering air, ocean and surface transportation, the freight industry, supply chain management and logistics technology, this weekly publication covers news as well as insightful and detailed reporting of activities and issues affecting transportation and supply chain management.

Transport News
Transport News is an Internet-only publication featuring the latest news in the transportation industry. It is updated on a daily basis, Monday through Friday, covering late-breaking articles and press releases in the following areas: ground and air transportation, rail shipping, ocean shipping, intermodal, logistics, and industry suppliers.

Warehousing Management
Biweekly national publication with news, trends, and events for warehouse distribution centers and distribution or fulfillment managers.