Tim Vorderstrasse

Import? Export? Drawback. | Director, Head of Drawback | Flexport | Making Drawback Easy and Accessible

[Ryan Petersen @typesfast]

Flexport just unveiled our latest tech release with a slate of new AI and software products for global trade.

Here are some highlights and tech demos. 🧵

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

If you’ve got a fever and the only prescription is more drawback, this is the role for you!

Flexport’s Drawback team is redefining what drawback can be, rethinking how technology unlocks refunds, boosts transparency, and creates real impact for clients. If you’re passionate about making things better and have your own ideas on how drawback could (and should) work in a modern era, come help us turn up the volume.

https://t.co/h6iUDuJevP

#ImportExportDrawback #DutyDrawback

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

An easy way to think of it is like this: If you import something, you pay duties and tariffs, if you export that something, a similar something or a finished good made from something, you can get 99% of your money back through drawback. It’s a program designed to help US companies, like manufacturers, compete in foreign markets and help maintain US jobs.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@Mattdoll In short, yes, as long as these tariffs aren’t the steel and aluminum tariffs (Sect 232), the IEEPA Fentanyl tariffs, or antidumping and countervailing duties. To qualify, however, the goods must also be exported from the US (or destroyed).

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

🚨 CBP Confirms Duty Drawback Eligibility for Reciprocal Tariffs 🚨

Big news from U.S. Customs: The latest CSMS guidance explicitly states “*drawback is available* with respect to the additional duties” imposed by the April 5 reciprocal tariffs. This is a pivotal win for U.S. manufacturers and distributors - make it here, sell it from here, ship it from here.

This decision aligns with the core intent of rectifying trade imbalances and promoting U.S. exports. By allowing drawback on these tariffs, CBP is empowering American businesses to compete globally, strengthen their margins, and reinvest in innovation and job creation.

Why it matters:
⚡ *Boost global competitiveness:* Recovering duties allows U.S. companies to price products more aggressively in international markets.
📈 *Strengthen profit margins:* Offset costs by reclaiming tariffs paid on imported goods, freeing up resources for growth.
💪 *Support U.S. jobs & innovation:* Refunds can be reinvested into hiring, R&D, and scaling operations, driving economic growth and reducing unemployment.

At Flexport, we’ve built drawback into the DNA of our platform to make it a consequence of your partnership with us and not an undertaking. If you import and export with Flexport (or integrate our systems), drawback happens automatically. Our proprietary tech often delivers 15% higher refunds than traditional methods, turning compliance into a competitive advantage for U.S. businesses.

This is why I joined Flexport: to help U.S. manufacturers and distributors thrive by simplifying complex trade processes and enabling meaningful supply chain decisions. Today’s CBP clarification is a step in the right direction - let’s use this opportunity to promote U.S. exports and strengthen our economy together.

P.S. Need help navigating the new HTSUS reporting requirements? Flexport’s team and software are here to streamline compliance and turn your ACE data into actionable insights.

#ReciprocalTariffs #DutyDrawback #USManufacturing #USExports #Flexport #importexportdrawback

[Flexport @flexport]

1/ The Future of Logistics Is Here: 2025 Flexport Winter Release

For the first time in Flexport history, we’re launching 20+ groundbreaking AI and technology products—all at once.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

Key points for the trade community:
1. Chinese-origin de minimis shipments are getting a stay of execution ⏳
2. Duty-free treatment continues... for now 💸
3. Commerce Department needs to confirm "adequate systems" before they are reinstated 🎭

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

Just when we thought de minimis on Chinese goods had gone to the great beyond, it's back! President Trump has signed an Executive Order (backdated to Feb 5) that's giving de minimis an encore.

Love it or hate it, it's back baby. #deminimis

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

3. Potential for standardized training: With all Drawback Specialists under one management organization, there may be opportunities for more standardized and focused training programs, which could lead to improved

#importexportdrawback

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

Starting Oct 1, 2024, the PNGM Center in Houston will oversee Drawback Specialists. No changes to submissions or contacts. This centralization aims for consistency, efficiency, and potential standardized training, while minimizing business impact. #CBP #TradePolicy #dutydrawback

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

2. Streamlined operations: Consolidating drawback specialists and their functions under one management structure could lead to more efficiency, standardization, and workload management.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@GoStripers Benito Santiago was a beast

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

Flexport is expanding our Duty Drawback team and looking for a passionate candidate to join us! 🚀

https://t.co/JQh6JXuKVV

#ImportExportDrawback #DutyDrawback #Drawback #Flexport #DutyRefunds #ImportExport #Hiring

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@nut_history Johan Santana

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@Mattdoll @typesfast @flexport If you export from US or CA or destroy within US or CA, you may be able to get the duties refunded that you originally paid to bring them in.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@dean_roberti @typesfast FTZs are great - but only prospective. Drawback requires less capital to take advantage of. If savings are big enough, FTZs are a great alternative.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@Molson_Hart @typesfast The little stuff can add up! In most cases, MPF and HMF are eligible for recovery! Even smaller fees like cotton fees are claimable. For the most part, the only fees/duties you cannot claim back are antidumping and countervailing duties, over-quota duties, and sect 232 duties.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@Doge1waytixmoon @typesfast There are some conditions that must be met, but in both cases yes, if you destroy expired product or customer returns, you may qualify for drawback refunds.

[Tim Vorderstrasse @TimDutyDrawback]

@nadeerawk @typesfast great question, 5 years!