Meet TRG National Sales Manager, Gregg Cummings

The International Compliance Professional's Association just sent out an email on our very on Gregg Cummings.

1. Tell us about yourself, your company, and what services you offer.

My name is Gregg Cummings and I am the National Sales Manager for TRG. TRG is an import services provider with offices in Barrington Illinois and Bozeman Montana specializing in 3 areas: US Customs Bonds, Marine Cargo Insurance and TRG Direct, a web based application which allows an importer to direct file their Customs entry and ISF.

TRG was founded in 1991 by John Michel and provides US Custom's surety bonds directly to importers. In addition to the cost savings of buying your bond direct, importers with bonds under $1MM can also take advantage of a 3 year pricing strategy to lock in their low price for an extended period of time.
TRG Marine provides Marine Cargo insurance and has established relationships with several insurance companies enabling us to offer competitive rates for this important coverage.

Perhaps the most publicity for TRG this year has been our Direct Filing application which includes an ISF module. ISF has been a real challenge for importers to implement in difficult economic times and resource constraints and we have offered a "zero start up fee ISF only" approach to help importers learn how they can meet their ISF obligation by filing it in house and experience how bringing some of these processes in house can lower costs (only $5 per ISF) and increase control and visibility into their supply chain.

2. How did you get started in the business?

I came to the import services arena after spending 20 years in Chicago in the Brokerage industry. I sold short term securities and structured bonds to corporations which worked out very well right up until the entire industry vaporized in 2007. At that time my family had a home in Montana that we loved and took that opportunity to move here full time. It was at that time I met John Michel who was increasing the exposure of TRG in Montana and I viewed the challenge of starting something new, growing a sales force and expanding a business was very appealing.

3. What's the best piece of advice you would give a person starting in the business?

As far as advice for anyone looking to get started in this business, I would suggest that you do join an organization like the ICPA to meet a network of professionals that can be resources for your questions and growth.

4. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?

I don't know about hidden talents but I am quite active. My family has four horses and we all ride quite frequently. I have also run triathlon's for 20 years and just signed up to run the LA Marathon this coming March. Living in Bozeman also allows for an active ski season since I am only 8 miles from our local ski resort.

5. What's your favorite thing about ICPA?

TRG has been very involved with ICPA for years. We attend all the conferences and have many important customers and relationships with ICPA professionals. The blog is a particularly good resource for discussion and education on issues affecting an individual's import practices and supply chain.

Easy Entries vs Hard Entries l Is Direct Filing for You?

What is the ease or complexity of your import processes? Every supply chain is different. To gain a better understanding of your supply chain and the ease or difficulty of a consumption entry filing, take this short questionnaire and gather a more comprehensive view of your import entries.

How many entries do you have per year, or anticipate in the next year?*

How many tariff numbers do you have?

How many ports do you use?

How many entries are subject to Anti-dumping/Countervailing?**

How many entries are subject to quota?***

How many entries are subject to FDA or other regulatory organization?

How many are border entries, meaning they enter the US by truck from Canada or Mexico?

What commodities do you import?

Understanding your results to this survey can assist you in improving processes in-house and moving toward a best-in-class importer. If you would like to discuss these qualifying questions and how they may effect your importing, please contact Sarah Braun, sbraun@traderiskguaranty.com or 847-756-7531.

*Customs Entry is defined as “A statement of the kinds, quantities and values of goods imported together with duties, if any, that is declared before customs authorities”.

**Anti-dumping/Countervailing duties are applied when a foreign manufacturer is able to sell goods in the US less than fair value, causing injury to the US industry.

***Quotas permit a specified quantity of imported merchandise to be entered at a reduced rate of duty during the quota period. Once the tariff-rate quota limit is reached, goods may still be entered but at a higher rate of duty.