Blog
Practical guides on importing, exporting, logistics, customs and international payments, for those who import and export in any market.
Dual-use goods: when an export needs authorisation
Many ordinary products, from electronics to chemicals, also serve military ends. What the European Union regime controls and what to ask before you sell.
Preferential rules of origin: how RCEP and the AfCFTA decide whether you pay less duty
Goods only get reduced duties if they meet the agreement's rules of origin. What they are, how they work in RCEP and the AfCFTA, and what to check before buying.
CBAM in 2026: what changes for importers into Portugal and the European Union
Since 1 January 2026 the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is in its definitive period. Who is affected, what an authorised declarant is and the deadlines.
End of the €150 exemption in the EU: what changes for low-value parcels
Since 1 July 2026, consignments under €150 are no longer exempt from customs duty in the European Union. What applies and what is still undefined.
Importing into Angola: licensing, the Single Window and the documents you cannot do without
How import licensing works in Angola, the role of the Foreign Trade Single Window and the documentary mistakes that most often delay release of goods.
Incoterms® 2020: how to choose the right term and avoid cost surprises
What each Incoterm defines, the differences between the most used terms and the questions to ask before signing with a supplier.
The Lobito Corridor: what it means for logistics in Angola and Southern Africa
Volumes, forecasts and implications of the Lobito Corridor for importers and exporters operating in Angola and the region.
Seven checks before shipping an import
A practical list to reduce the risk of delays, extra costs and customs holds before goods leave the supplier.
Harmonized System: how to classify goods, and why a wrong code is expensive
What each part of a tariff code means, the interpretation rules that decide classification, and what changes with the 2028 revision.
Cargo insurance: what clauses A, B and C cover, and when insurance does not pay
The differences between the three Institute Cargo Clauses, who should insure under each Incoterm, and how to handle a claim.
Demurrage and detention: how to avoid costs that were not in the freight quote
What they are, when they start, where free time sits and which practices reduce the risk of paying for idle containers.
Payment methods in international trade: from advance payment to letters of credit
How risk and cost are shared between buyer and seller in each method, and which one suits a new or an established relationship.
Angola and the European Union: what accession to the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement means
What the agreement already provides for Southern African countries, where Angola's accession stands, and what an importer or exporter should follow.
Choosing the right container: dimensions, capacity and when to use each type
The differences between 20ft and 40ft, High Cube, reefer, open top and flat rack containers, and how to avoid paying for space you do not use.
Dangerous goods: IMDG, ADR and lithium batteries, what to declare and why refusals are common
How they are classified, which documents accompany the cargo and why so many everyday products, from perfume to mobile phones, count as dangerous.
Air or sea freight: how to decide, and what chargeable weight is
How each mode is costed, why light, bulky cargo is expensive by air, and when the deadline justifies the price.
Cold chain: how to transport food and medicines without breaking the temperature
What a refrigerated container does and does not do, which temperatures apply and which controls reduce the risk of losing the cargo.