PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 14, 2003 -- BDP International, a leading global logistics and transportation services company, will host a one-day seminar on U.S. free trade agreements (FTA) with Chile and Singapore, which go into effect January 1, 2004. Designed to assist international shippers in certifying FTA origination status, the seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Downtown Club, Public Ledger Building, 6th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia.

The Chile and Singapore FTAs will be addressed in morning and afternoon sessions respectively. Gerald R. McManus, former assistant commissioner – commercial operations for U.S. Customs, and now a BDP Compliance officer will be the seminar leader.

“For industries and companies trading with Chile and Singapore, there are substantial savings to be realized from these new agreements,” said BDP Vice President- Regulatory Compliance Michael Ford. “However,” he continued, “the required information to support the FTA claims for shipments between Chile, Singapore and the U.S., will be new and different in January. Those organizations that are prepared will benefit from the FTAs, while those, which aren’t will be less competitive. There is a double-edged sword here.”

Among the topics discussed will be regional value content; tariff shifts; build-down and build-up methods; adjusted value; chemical reaction origination rules; accessories, spare parts, and tools; fungible goods and materials; accumulation; the De Minimis Rule; indirect materials; packaging materials for retail sale; packing materials; containers for shipment; and terminology changes. The seminar also will include an overview of NAFTA, time permitting.

The $100 registration fee includes training aids, a complete set of Chile and Singapore rules of origination, a buffet luncheon and refreshments. To register, contact Jackie Elko 215-629-8493 (elkoj@bdpnet.com).

About BDP
BDP International is one of the leading privately held freight logistics / transportation management firms in the U.S. It operates freight logistics centers in more than 20 cities throughout North America and a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic partnerships in 140 countries. The company serves more than 4,000 customers worldwide. Clients include Dow Chemical Company, Heineken USA, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Osram Sylvania, Rohm & Haas, Trek Bicycle, and others. BDP provides a range of services, including ocean, air and ground transportation; 4PL lead logistics process analysis, design and management; export freight forwarding; import customs brokerage and regulatory compliance; project logistics; warehousing/consolidation/distribution; and Internet shipping transaction/tracking management systems.

For further information, contact:
Arnie Bornstein,
Director - Marketing and Corporate Communications,
BDP International, Inc..
Phone: 215-629-8493
fax: 215-629-8995
e-mail: abornstein@bdpnet.com