Editorial standards

Who reviews our guides

Every guide, template and calculator is reviewed before it is published by a BFA advisor with 30+ years in apparel operations. Our advisors have hands-on experience in EDI, wholesale, systems and retailer compliance inside apparel and consumer brands, and the guides are written from that experience as well as from published sources.

How we research

• Primary sources first: the X12 and GS1 standards, US government rules from agencies such as the FTC and CBP, and retailers' own vendor guides and routing guides.
• Where a guide gives a number, such as a transit time or a duty rate, we say whether it is a typical range or a worked example.
• Where requirements differ from one retailer to another, we say so instead of presenting one retailer's rule as the standard.

How our calculators and templates work

Every calculator explains its formula on the same page, so you can check the math yourself. The numbers you enter are calculated in your browser and are not sent to us or stored. Share links put the numbers in the link itself, so only people you send it to can see them. Downloadable templates use visible formulas, not hidden macros.

How we write about software and vendors

When a guide names a software vendor or service provider, we describe what the vendor publicly documents and what our advisors have seen in implementations. We also give you the questions to test any vendor's claims for yourself, including vendors we describe favorably.

How we keep guides current

Each guide shows the month it was last reviewed. We revisit guides when standards, regulations or retailer requirements change, and we update the review date whenever we make a substantive change.

What our content is not

Our guides are general information for apparel and consumer brand operators. They are not legal, customs, tax or accounting advice. Duty rates, labeling rules and retailer requirements change, so confirm anything you act on with your customs broker, your advisors or the retailer. Use of this site is covered by our terms of use.

Corrections

If you find something wrong or out of date, tell us through the contact page and name the page. We correct factual errors and update the review date on the page.