#customs clearance processes

[shinlogistics]

The Indispensable Need for Custom Clearance Services

Website: shinlogistics.com

Shin Logistics is a leading provider of custom clearance services, ensuring smooth trade transactions for businesses. With extensive industry knowledge and a commitment to trade compliance, they handle diverse shipments, including perishable goods, hazardous materials, oversized cargo, and specialized equipment. Shin Logistics conducts thorough audits, ensures adherence to regulations, and manages comprehensive documentation, reducing delays, fines, and disputes.

By partnering with Shin Logistics, businesses can achieve cost optimization, improved cash flow, and enhanced customer satisfaction, ultimately simplifying international trade and enabling businesses to focus on their core competencies. Read Simplifying International Trade: The Indispensable Need for Custom Clearance Services by Shin Logistics, to learn more about it.

[mortemcatabasis]

Custom designs for @krembearry

[usadvlottery]

US Immigration and Customs Laws encompass a complex framework governing the movement of people and goods across the United States' borders. These laws are designed to regulate immigration, prevent illegal entry, ensure national security, and facilitate lawful trade and travel. They cover a wide range of topics, including visa requirements, border security measures, customs duties, import/export regulations, and enforcement mechanisms. Compliance with these laws is crucial for maintaining legal status, preventing unauthorized entry, and upholding the nation's safety and security. Various government agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, oversee the enforcement and administration of these laws.

[saglogistic]

Explaining Customs Clearance in 4 Easy Steps

Learn the essential steps of customs clearance in a straightforward manner. From gathering necessary documents to filing customs declarations and paying duties, our comprehensive guide simplifies the process.

[nihaologistics]

Customs Clearance Made Easy

Simplify your customs clearance process with Nihao Logistics. From understanding documentation requirements to navigating regulatory complexities, we equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to optimize international trade.

For query Visit:  https://www.nihaologistics.com/custom-clearance-services or mail us at sales@nihaologistics.com

[worldlogisticspassport]

Customs clearance is the most important process when it comes to international shipment. Hence, it is important to follow the latest guidelines and prepare the right documents to ship goods conveniently. 

[theangrycomet-art]

Loonatics Unleashed: the Vester Clan

The Vester's have been serving their planet loyally for centuries, especially if that means throwing a coup. Blanc's wellbeing is far more important than some bratty bird's extended lifespan.

Sylth is a strong example of this, staying and defending Blanc despite the royal family's mistreatment and abuse on his person.

He will not, however, tolerate such abuse towards his family.

Thus, he was quick to send his little sister and only son off where it was (supposedly) safe.

How was he supposed to know that a Frelengisian conflict would end up screwing over a planet in a completely different system?

Lore below the cute

Sylth Jr.

16

he/they

Sylth Sr's pride and joy, he is a kind, if a touch cowardly fellow

inherited his father's lisp

on the Basherball Team and very skilled (he's hoping to get a sports scholarship to Acme Tech eventually)

wants to be an aerospace engineer or a professional basherball player- depending on how the cards play out

custom built their own basherbike

despite his timid nature he can talk your ear off about his passion projects

he's the kid that's friends with everyone but besties with no one

at least IRL

he's got two online friends that he's very close with (they send design ideas to each other, rant about their day, play video games, etc)

living with his aunt

he misses his dad and wishes the stupid yellow bird would just keel over and die so he can come home

they have a fishing trip planned

right leg was mutilated on Blanc when he was attending the young Royal Tweetums (he was about 10 years old)

it was later amputated, due to medical complications from delayed treatment and the wound being further aggravated during the healing process

he has a prosthesis and crutches, but tends to vary up what he uses based on comfort level

Pol Vester

28

She/her

camerawoman (cameracat?)/reported

loves her job even if she doesn't like the people

despite her skill she keeps having to change companies

worked on several movies, but was eventually fired due to the director "suddenly developing a cat allergy"

used to work for Misty Breeze but quit due to poor working conditions

worked briefly for an incredibly shady fight ring where the owner got FAR to close for comfort so she bailed

currently working for another news anchor and hoping to eventually be able to get a position as an onsite reporter

friends with Paula Hayes (Weathervane- tried visiting her in prison but they wouldn't let her through bc she didn't have clearance)

isn't nearly as attatched to Blanc as her brother is (especially given that almost every member of their family has perished due to the carelessness of it's current rulers)

Acmetropolis, despite its numerous problems, is her home now

[mayakern]

i recently ordered a skirt in size b but i think size a would fit me better; is it possible to do an exchange for a different size?

as long as it is not a final sale or clearance item and is in good condition, we accept exchanges within 90 days of purchase! however, we are not able to process return postage for international customers.

customers are allowed one free exchange, but after that we require them to pay the $10-$13 shipping.

you can reach out to us via email at hello@mayakern.com to further discuss this!

[angelasscribbles]

The De Facto Queen Chapter One: Queen Without a Crown

Series: The De Facto Queen

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Drake, Riley x Liam

Rating: Teen

Warnings for this chapter: Language

Word Count: 5,355

A/N: Extensive Author's Note

My other stuff: Master List.

Unity Tour, Day 2, Portavira

Riley handed the color-coded, tabbed, and thick as a copy of War and Peace dossier back to Madeleine, “I appreciate all the hard work you put into this, Madeleine. And since you’ve done such a thorough job, I trust you to fill me in on the most pertinent details so that I don’t have to wade through all of this.”

Things had been crazy since Drake had been released from the hospital. There had been a press conference announcing their engagement, wedding planners had practically taken up residence at the palace, and there had been an entire security detail assigned to Riley that had taken some getting used to. She wasn’t accustomed to having people follow her everywhere she went. She had protested that it certainly wasn’t necessary inside the palace but both Liam and Drake had overruled her.

She had wanted to move into Valtoria as soon as possible but again she’d been overruled by both men who insisted that the estate be fortified and locked down as securely as the palace itself prior to her taking up residence.

These two men were going to be the death of her.

Drake, though still recovering from a bullet wound, had thrown himself vigorously into building her security team, as well as the one for Valtoria and he was both meticulously exacting and excruciatingly detailed oriented.

Liam seemed determined to make her queen in all but name. Her security detail wasn’t being called a queen’s guard, but it followed the exact structure of one. She was privy to details no one outside of herself and Liam knew. She received the same daily intelligence briefings as the king. She was given security clearances and thrust headlong into ruling.

No one seem to question why Cordonia’s newest duchess, the one that had been a commoner and a foreigner mere months ago, was ruling by the king’s side. Why she, and not any of the Cordonian-born noblewomen, had been given the privileges and responsibilities of the crown.

No one but Riley herself.

She assumed, and Drake verified, that it was because Liam trusted her, and he needed a ruling partner. It was too great a job for one person alone, that was the whole reason for the marriage provision in the succession laws in the first place.

She wanted to help. Drake may have been the man she said yes to, but Liam still held a special place in her heart, and she would never be able to tell him no about anything again. Not after saying no to the biggest, most important thing he had ever asked of her and shattering his heart into a million pieces in the process.

The memory of that night still physically hurt whenever it pushed its way into her consciousness. Staying busy actually helped distract her from that, and from the fact that her fiancée had almost died when he had taken a bullet meant for her. Those first hours when she thought she might lose him had nearly destroyed her. If she sat still too long, the fact that the perpetrator was still out there somewhere started to eat away at her, gnawing at her sense of safety and threatening her very sanity.

So, she’d thrown herself headlong into the business of governing.

Preparations for the Five Kingdom’s Festival, planning the Unity Tour, and being brought up to speed on the investigation into the attack at the Homecoming Ball had kept her in seemingly endless meetings with Liam, The Royal Council, and the heads of the Cordonian Armed Forces.

All that was on top of scheduling engagement pictures, the engagement party, private fittings for a custom-made dress, picking out flowers, and cake…… thank god she had Hana and Max to run point on all things wedding related. Still, the final decisions rested in her hands.

Then the attack on the orchards had happened, thrusting her somehow into a public relations role. Her, of all people. She attended meetings in the situation room with Liam and Drake, conferred with the palace’s PR team, scoured intelligence briefings, and made public statements to the press, hoping that she had found the right words to calm and reassure the people. Even though she herself often felt far from calm or assured of anything.

But the most difficult thing she’d done by far was swallowing her pride and convincing Madeleine to work for her.

Now she was standing in front of a full-length mirror having a strategy meeting with the woman that had been the bane of her existence for the entirety of the engagement tour, while Max held up dresses for her approval and Hana picked out her accessories.

“This one is the Ebrim house colors!” Max enthused.

“You haven’t steered me wrong yet,” Riley took the dress out of his hands and tried it on.

She admired herself in the mirror. The floor-length purple dress was sparkly with a plunging neckline, putting her cleavage on prominent display. She twisted one way then the other checking out how the dress hugged her curves before nodding in approval, “This is the one!”

She was rewarded an hour later when she exited the dressing room and saw her future husband’s face light up.

Drake had been waiting for her in the private train car. He was standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall, phone in hand when he heard the door slide open. His eyes flicked from the phone screen to his fiancée, then back to the phone screen before jerking up to find her again. He fumbled the phone, barely keeping it in his grasp as his eyes raked greedily down her body, “Riley! Wow!”

“You like it?” She smiled as she spun to give him the full effect.

“Like it?” He pushed away from the wall and pocketed the phone so he could pull her into his arms, “That dress nearly killed me! Are you sure it’s not overkill for an informal dinner?”

“Oh honey, nothing involving crown business is ever really informal,” she told him as she tipped her head to the side to give him access to her neck.

He knew the drill. No mussing up the hair and makeup before a royal event. After, and sometimes even during if they could sneak away, all bets were off. But perfection was required for making a proper entrance.

There was no lipstick to smear on the side of her neck and he loved the way she shivered when he peppered it with kisses. Her low moan and the feel of her body trembling in his arms just pushed his anticipation for the end of the night higher.

“Fuck, baby,” he whispered in her ear, “you have no idea the torture you put me through…”

“Oh, I have some idea,” she told him with a teasing smile as she pulled away, “You look pretty good yourself, Walker.”

Drake shook his head with a laugh at the reference to the suit he was wearing. The button-down shirt wasn’t a far cry from his usual, just dressier than denim. The jacket and slacks were an upgrade, but he still refused to wear a tie.

She didn’t care what he wore. The denim was fine with her. He was the one determined to fit into a world he’d always hated.

For her.

She sighed as she ran a hand down his chest and thought, not for the first time, that maybe she should have declined Liam’s request for help with…well, everything.

But she wanted to help him. She wanted to be involved. She liked making a difference in the world. And as it turned out, she was good at it! She fit seamlessly into Liam’s world.

But where did that leave her husband to be, she wondered as she watched him fidget with the collar of his shirt. It was sweet that he was willing to push himself outside his comfort zone for her, but she didn’t like that he felt like he had to.

She reached up and undid the top button, “Let yourself breathe babe.”

“I just don’t want to do anything to embarrass you tonight.”

“You couldn’t if you tried. I love you. Now, come on before we’re late, Liam is probably already out front waiting on us.”

Liam was indeed standing next to the limo when they exited the train. His face went slack when he saw her, “Riley! You look amazing!”

“Thank you,” she felt her face color not at the compliment as much as the obvious effect she was having on her former lover. She shot a glance sideways at Drake to see if it upset him but he didn’t seem to notice.

Liam recovered quickly, smoothing his face back into polite monarch mode and giving her a chaste peck on the cheek before helping her into the limo and then sliding in after her. He took the seat across from her. Drake slipped into the seat next to her.

Drake talked about the deep-sea fishing off the coast of Portavira as they drove. Riley’s eyes lifted slowly to meet Liam’s. It wasn’t the first time she had caught him staring at her with frank unadorned longing on his face. The sexual tension still hung in the air between them, so thick it was almost suffocating and how her intended never noticed it was beyond her.

The yearning disappeared from his face as he composed it into a cordial smile the moment he noticed her looking, but the damage had been done. Warmth had already exploded inside her, heating her blood and making her heart race. She glanced quickly away and slipped her hand into Drake’s to steady herself.

She had made her choice and she was in love with the man she had committed to. Drake gave her everything she could ask for from a man and so much more. He was loyal and brave, funny and kind, intelligent and endearing. He centered her, he calmed her, he grounded her. She loved everything about him. The deep rumbling of his voice, the way his hair fell in his eyes but he refused to cut it, the way he talked with his hands when something excited him, the way he loved with his whole heart. She loved his snarkiness, his sharp, witty repartee that kept her on her toes and she loved the tender, soul-baring honesty of the declarations he whispered to her when no one else was around to hear. She loved him.

But Liam still ignited a fire within her with every glance, every seemingly innocent touch and she had no idea what to do about it other than ignore it and hope it went away.

“How does that sound?” Drake asked as the car coasted to a stop in front of the seaside restaurant they were meeting the Ebrims at.

“That sounds lovely,” Riley responded, hoping it was the right answer.

“Great! I’ll find out where I can rent a boat for tomorrow night!”

Greetings and pleasantries were exchanged, seats were taken, orders were placed and the conversation turned to the weather.

“You’ve probably seen the news about the wedding,” Drake said as a way to segue into the topic they were really there to discuss.

“We have! Congratulations to both of you,” Landon responded.

“Thank you,” Riley beamed at him, “We would like to personally extend an invitation to all of you!”

While Liam and Riley attempted to sway the Ebrims toward attending the wedding, the waiters sat piping hot bread bowls filled with steaming bisque in front of them.

Drake started to tear off a piece of his bread bowl but froze as his eyes flitted around the table. Everyone else was eating the bisque with a spoon. He sighed as he picked up his own spoon, wondering what the point of a bread bowl was if you weren’t going to eat it.

“This is a nice place you’ve got here,” Drake commented when there was a lull in the conversation.

“The restaurant?” Landon asked, “We don’t own the restaurant.”

“No, of course not,” Drake stammered, “I just meant the whole duchy. It’s very nice.”

“It is quite lovely,” Hana agreed.

“And this food is amazing!” Max added, “Kudos to the chef!”

“Thank you,” Landon smiled at them, “This is my favorite restaurant, because of the food and the view.”

“It’s an amazing view!” Drake agreed, “It would make a great painting or postcard! I’d love to have a postcard of this place!”

“We don’t have…er, postcards..” Emmeline gave him a puzzled look.

“I just meant it’s a great view…” Drake trailed off in frustration. This was why he hated socializing. It was stupid.

He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Fuck it. He tore off a chunk of bread and dunked it in the bisque before bringing it to his mouth. He closed his eyes briefly in appreciation as he chewed. Delicious!

That’s how you were supposed to deal with a bread bowl. He met Riley’s eyes across the table. She was biting back an amused smile, her eyes sparkling with mirth. He had to repress one of his own as he shook his head ever so slightly.

One glance and he knew that she knew the exact thoughts that had spilled through his brain. She really got him. And she shared his disdain for the superficial, hypocritical bullshit of court. The difference between them was that she knew how to play the game and could do it without letting it get to her.

Catty, backstabbing, and backhanded compliments rolled right off her. She suffered fools patiently with a serene smile pasted on her face. She charmed and coaxed the nobility, she turned fence-sitters into allies and enemies into fence-sitters. And she did it all without the extensive lifelong training that Leo and Liam had received.

Not that those lessons had taken in Leo’s case.

As angry as Drake had once been at Leo, he recognized that Riley would never have come into his life otherwise. If Liam hadn’t been thrust into the role of crown prince, they never would have been in New York that night. He couldn’t regret that.

Riley’s attention was pulled from Drake as the conversation turned to the devastating floods that had recently ravaged the port community.

She was instantly on alert. This was something they could use. Her eyes met Liam’s over her water glass. He gave her an imperceptible nod. She knew they were thinking the same thing. They were perfectly in tune like that. They made a formidable diplomatic team. Turning to Landon, she asked, “Is there anything we can do to help?”

“I’ve allocated crown resources of course,” Liam added, “but if there’s anything Riley and I can personally do…”

“We’re here to help.” She finished his sentence.

Liam felt pride stir in his chest. She had them. She always did. He had never worked a room with anyone as in synch with him as she was. Not Leo, not his father, no one. They made an unstoppable team and he regretted that he had ever questioned her suitability for the role.

The way she had handled the press after the attack on the orchards had cemented for him just how perfect she was for the role. When she had told the press, and the public, that “No true king would give in to their demands!” he had known then and there that she was exactly the woman he needed by his side.

His father had been wrong. The council had been wrong. She was perfect for the role. She was perfect for him.

But she wasn’t his.

His eyes flicked across the table to Drake, taking in the way his best friend’s eyes lingered on her, the soft, contented smile on his face as he watched her and he felt guilt, anger, and loss punch him in the gut in rapid succession.

The dinner wrapped up with promises for Riley and Liam and their entourage to join the charity polo match the following day. As everyone prepared to leave for the Ebrim estate, Liam pulled Riley to the side, “That was very well done.”

“Thank you, but I know I’m not quite at your level.”

“What are you talking about?” Drake walked up behind her, slipping his arms around her waist.

“I was just complimenting Riley on her diplomacy skills,” Liam smothered his irritation. Drake was with her nearly every minute of the day. All Liam wanted was a few moments of her time, a few crumbs of her attention.

Riley smiled as she ran her hands along the arms that encircled her, “And I was telling him that I feel like I still need some work. My nonverbal communication could use some polishing.”

“Well, I think you’re perfect!” Drake kissed her neck, just behind her ear.

“Mm,” Riley smiled and relaxed back into him.

Liam cleared his throat, “Yes, well... Riley does display a natural propensity for diplomacy, but she could benefit from a crash course in body language management.”

“Yes!” Riley agreed.

“I would be more than happy to give you a few pointers. Right now, if you like. So you’re more prepared for tomorrow.”

“That would be great, Liam!”

“Okay,” Drake released her, “I’ll meet you back at the Ebrim’s.”

“Wait, you’re leaving?”

Drake’s eyes went to Liam and back to Riley, “Yeah…I don’t think I’m required for this. We all know that I’m never going to be good at it no matter how many pointers Liam has to offer.”

“I’ll wait over there,” Liam pointed toward the nearest dock, “while you say goodbye.”

Riley spun in Drake’s arms, “Diplomacy isn’t your strong suit. That’s why you don’t do it, remember?”

He combed his fingers through her hair as he spoke, “Yeah, but…I just want to be an asset to you, Riley, not an embarrassment…”

“Oh, Drake, you big marshmallow, you could never be an embarrassment! Are you kidding me? I prefer you just the way you are, rough edges and all!”

“Really?”

“Really!” She went up on her tiptoes, bringing her lips to his.

He returned the kiss with all the passion she’d come to expect from him. He showed his love through physical touch and acts of service. He wasn’t great with words, but god did he know how to let his body do the talking for him.

“I love you the way you are,” she told him when she pulled away, “You don’t need to change for me. Besides, you’re good at so many other things.”

“Oh yeah, like what?”

“Security for one. You’re a genius at it. Do you think Liam knows what securing the perimeter or shoring up the flank means?”

“Yes.”

“Would he know how to do either thing?”

“No.”

“And he sure doesn’t have your extensive knowledge of weapons, or horses, or martial arts, does he?”

“Yeah, but-“

“But nothing, mister! I’m the one that agreed to help Liam with all the crown business, not you. There’s no reason you have to be good at any of this!”

“I just don’t want you to think I don’t care about the things that are important to you!”

“And I don’t want you to feel like you have to change for me,” she insisted.

“Okay, you’re right,” he sighed with relief, “Does that mean I don’t have to do any more of these fancy dinners?”

“Not if you don’t want to! But you do have to play polo tomorrow, sorry.”

“Meh. Smacking a ball with a mallet is more up my alley than worrying about which fork I’m using anyway. And there are horses involved, so I’m all good!”

“Good! Now kiss me again before you leave!”

She was a little breathless when they pulled apart. He made her go weak in the knees and the cocky grin on his face told her that he knew it.

“I’ll be waiting at Penelope’s,” he whispered in her ear before glancing up and giving Liam a wave goodbye.

She watched him walk away then turned and made her way to the railing next to the dock where Liam was patiently waiting.

“Everything okay?” He asked.

“Yes, fine,” Riley replied.

“Good! Now, if you’re ready, I’ve taken the liberty of procuring a boat for the evening’s tutorial!” He gestured to what looked to be a sixty-foot yacht waiting at the end of the pier.

“Oh, wow! How did you manage that on literally no notice?”

He gave her a dazzling smile as he offered her his arm, “A man can’t reveal all his secrets, can he?”

“Fine. Keep your secrets,” she teased as she took his arm, “Lead on Captain Liam! Or should I say King Captain Liam?”

“I can do without the ‘King’ once in a while. I preferred it when I was ‘just Liam’ to you….” He trailed off as his eyes traced across her face.

She looked out over the water, away from him, hoping the darkening of the sky as evening faded into night hid the pink that flamed across her cheeks. “You’ll always be just Liam to me,” she replied quietly.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much it pleases me to hear that.” He told her as they walked down the dock and boarded the ship.

“Shall we?” he gestured to a row of lounge seats attached to the railing.

She took a seat as the yacht glided away from the dock and headed further into the Mediterranean. “It’s a beautiful evening.” She inhaled the night air deeply basking in the peacefulness. There was a beautiful starlit sky, and the weather was a perfect autumn temperature, not too hot, not too cold with just a hint of a breeze drifting off the water.

“I’ve always loved how quiet things are on the water. I could stare at it all night,” Liam said, “But I promised you lessons and the first lesson calls for props!” He pulled a chilled container out from under the deck’s bar and uncorked a bottle of champagne, pouring two glasses as he talked about toasts.

Riley’s eyes scanned the deck of the Italian yacht. Full crew. Chilled champagne, Armand de Brignac, her favorite brand, two Baccarat champagne flutes. There was no way this had been an impromptu rental. She was suddenly uncomfortably aware that they had not been alone together since the Statue of Liberty.

The night she had rejected him.

The night they had the most mind-blowing sex of their relationship inside the statue. She turned her head and rested her chin on the railing, pretending to stare out over the water to cover up her sudden nervousness.

Liam took the seat next to her and handed her a glass of champagne as the boat slowed to a stop and dropped anchor.

Liam talked, Riley listened and then they played out several scenarios involving toasts. Liam proposed hypothetical diplomatic landmines and Riley successfully navigated her way around all of them. She slowly relaxed as Liam’s nothing but professional and polite conversation and the effects of the alcohol soothed her.

“Look at you,” Liam smiled, “I told you, you’re naturally good at this. You barely need me.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” she returned his smile.

“There is one more thing I can teach you, Riley….” He turned his body to face her, his arm resting across the back of the seating, “body language. You asked about nonverbals. I have a few suggestions.”

She leaned toward him, “I’m all ears!”

“Did you know that roughly eighty percent of communication is nonverbal?”

“What? That much? No!”

“Oh, it is! You can tell a lot about what people don’t want you to know by paying attention to their body language and facial expressions. You can learn to read the signals people give off unintentionally. Take Drake for instance, you can tell when he’s with someone he trusts, he hooks his fingers in his pockets when he feels comfortable.”

“Aww, he’s got a tell!”

“That’s how I first realized he had feelings for you….”

“What?” She was startled at the sudden shift the conversation had taken.

“He was relaxed and comfortable in your presence when it was just the two of you. The times you were together, but apart from the rest of the group, for instance, in a crowded ballroom, but in a back corner out of the way of said crowd. Reversely, he was nervous when the two of you were around other people. Especially me.”

Very rarely was Riley ever struck speechless, but that did it. “I…”

His eyes searched her face, “You didn’t know?”

“Know….what?”

“That he had feelings for you from the beginning.”

“I didn’t know,” she replied quietly, eyes dropping to her lap.

“That’s what I thought,” Liam responded thoughtfully as he twirled the glass in his hand, watching the remaining liquid swirl around the sides, “Nice to know I haven’t lost my touch reading people.”

She reached for his arm, “Liam, I’m sorry-“

“What?” he looked up from his glass, “No, no! I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable! I’m the one that’s sorry! Let’s…Let’s get back to those lessons!”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

“I’m sure!” He diffused the situation with humor. Making her laugh had always been easy. They shared the same sense of humor. “Hey, Riley, why can’t you hear a pterodactyl going to the bathroom?”

“What?” She laughed, “Why?”

“Because the “P” is silent!”

“Oh, my God!” She covered her mouth as laughter shook her body, “That was bad!”

“So bad it was good?”

“No!”

“But you’re laughing!” Her laughter made him laugh, which made her laugh harder.

“Okay, okay, okay!” She gasped, “I’m done! No more dad jokes, okay?”

“No promises,” he shook his head with a smile, “ready to get back to it?”

She wiped the tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes, “Yeah, I’m ready!”

Twenty minutes later she felt she had a good grasp of the concept. “Wait, wait, wait! Watch this!” She smoothed out her expression letting her face go blank, “What did that say?”

“Very little…which is the whole point. You’re the perfect example of courtly composure.”

“Thank you!” she let her smile rush back.

“Thank you, Riley, for agreeing to help me with all the diplomatic stuff. You’ve fallen into the role so well, it’s like you were born to it, honestly. You’re perfect.”

The unadorned longing was back in his face, and he wasn’t trying to hide it this time.

“Thanks,” Riley turned her head away to watch the play of the boat’s lights along the water as a myriad of emotions collided inside her. The only sound was the peaceful lapping of waves against the boat’s hull as it drifted through the harbor.

They sat in silence, staring out over the water, both lost in their own thoughts for a good while.

“In peaceful moments like this, you can almost forget what the region has been through,” Liam broke the silence and changed the subject, “They’ve had more natural disasters in the past few months than most of Cordonia has faced in years.”

The self-blame in his voice brought her up short, “Hey, don’t go feeling responsible for that. Kings can’t prevent earthquakes or floods, or meteor strikes!”

“If we could, that would be quite a superpower,” he chuckled softly, before heaving a sigh of discontent, “I don’t blame myself for this, Riley…but it’s hard not to feel my reign thus far has been one crisis after another.”

“Liam…”

He tipped his head back and looked up at the stars, “Riley….do you think I’m doing enough for Cordonia?”

“Of course you are! Things might be hard right now, but you’ll learn as you go,” she reached over without thinking and took his hand in hers. “And you’ll have me by your side.”

He turned his head to search her eyes and she suddenly became hyperaware of just how close they were to each other. She stopped breathing for a heartbeat.

He ran a hand gently down the side of her face as she dropped her gaze to her lap. His feather-light touch sent goosebumps chasing down her spine. Using a finger and thumb, he grasped her chin and tipped her head up. His thumb ghosted across her lips,  “I want to kiss you,” he whispered.

He waited for her to object.

She licked her lips.

His mouth met hers, and her lips parted,  his tongue slid softly against hers, moving languidly. One arm wrapped around her waist and tugged her closer, as the other continued to caress her face before moving to tangle in her hair.

She leaned into that kiss, her heart rate speeding up as her hands slid up his chest.

He pulled her closer and kissed her harder.

She pushed him away, gasping for air, “Liam….”

“I know, I’m sorry,” he reached for her, and their hands entwined with each other, his forehead resting on hers, “I got carried away. It won’t happen again. Please accept my apologies. I couldn’t bear to lose your friendship, Riley!”

“Liam…I….” Her whole body was trembling.

The two of them alone in the moonlight brought so many memories rushing back. All of the good ones.

But even the bad ones weren't so bad anymore. They had worked past coronation night, they had worked past her refusal of his proposal. They had salvaged a friendship and forged a working relationship. At least that’s what she had believed until this moment.

She still loved him. The realization hit her like a freight train. Then guilt plowed right into her, and she pulled away from him and jumped to her feet, “I guess we should…get back…”

“Certainly, if that’s what you want,” Liam stood immediately, reaching for her again, “but please tell me that my unwelcome slip-up won’t affect our working together, or our friendship,” he pleaded.

“That’s the problem, Liam….it wasn’t unwelcomed.”

“Oh! I…I’m not sure I understand….”

“Neither do I!” She fought back tears, “but it can’t happen again!”

“Of course not!”

“And I have to tell Drake!”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Liam asked hesitantly.

“Yes? No…maybe?”

“Whatever you think is best. I’ll follow your lead on this.”

It had been an accident, a momentary slip-up. If it was never repeated, then maybe she didn’t have to tell him, right? No, she had to tell him. “I…I don’t know, I’m not sure….”

“Well, perhaps sleep on it before you make any rash decisions.”

“I don’t know, Liam….I feel like he has a right to know.”

“I realize I might not be the best person to advise you on this, since I’m the one that just kissed you, so I won’t try. But I need you to know…”

“Know what?” She wasn’t sure if it was anxiety or butterflies clawing through her stomach. Maybe a little of both.

“That I’m here, Riley. For whatever you need.”

“Thank you, Liam. I appreciate that.”

The ride to the Ebrim estate was filled with superficial chit-chat, that felt wrong, forced, and awkward. Which wasn’t what she wanted at all. As the car rolled to a stop she turned and took his hand, “Liam, we don’t have to talk about the damn weather and the fluctuating cost of apples! I know what happened tonight threw us both for a loop but can we just…I don’t know…go back to being us?”

The moment it fell from her lips she realized her error, “I don’t mean us, like us…I mean, our friendship, the way it’s been since-“

“It’s okay, Riley,” he squeezed her hand, “I know what you meant, and I’m gratified that you value our friendship.”

“Okay, good,” she sighed with relief. She and Liam would be okay. If they could get past him allowing her to be drug out of the coronation and her refusing his proposal, they could get past this. It was just one little kiss after all.

The bigger issue was how she was going to explain what had happened to her fiancée. Especially when she wasn’t sure she understood it herself.

[always-outsider]

My Valkyrie Connect merchandise has arrived~ (´∀｀)♡

Shhh… Don't let my family know I bought these, or they'll have my head (；⌣̀_⌣́)

[Warning: Personal vent post ahead]

I bought the T-shirt on Mercari for 800 yen ($5.09). It's second-hand and in fair condition. I had my eye on it for a long time (a year) and finally decided to buy it when it was the last item on sale. I don't know if it's currently available anywhere else.

On the back of the T-shirt is the image of Hel saying 「コネクトしたいの？」 which means "Do you want to connect?".

Do I want to connect, you ask? ( 〃▽〃)

No, I don't. Just hand over those sweet, sweet diamonds 💎💎💎💎💎 and we'll be done here.

As for the keychain... (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)... I bought it on "Valkyrie Connect" Official Merchandise Shop via Buyee. It was quite costly for a self-indulgent birthday gift. The order took a month to process, and then it got stuck in customs for another month (seems like my government really questioned my purchase). Then, the national postal service got attacked by hackers, forcing them to delay all services to recover their data ┐(´ー｀)┌

Somehow, luck seemed to evade me with this purchase. The prolonged wait plunged me into an existential crisis, as if my trivial indulgence had drawn cosmic disapproval... Nevertheless, undeterred by celestial judgment, I pressed on with the same tenacity I unleashed when I wasted all my diamonds to obtain Jubilant Vili. After numerous attempts to reach out, the keychain finally arrived safely today, albeit with an additional customs clearance tax (T⌓T)

Honestly, the keychain ended up being larger than I imagined, measuring 10cm x 10cm, making it too big to use as a typical keychain. Plus, the printed colors are quite saturated in my opinion. Its back is unprotected and can easily get scratched. I had to cover it with clear paper to prevent future damage. Guess pixivFACTORY isn't exactly a master at making keychains.

I think I will put the keychain on a small phone holder and place it on my desk. Please supervise my work from now on, Odin-sama! ^v^

[argyrocratie]

...

"Since October 7th, Israel has restricted aid to Gaza to a trickle, with February seeing an average of only 96 trucks per day entering the enclave, a far cry from the 500-600 that used to enter daily. Israel has also made it harder for aid organizations to purchase items, arbitrarily restricted the entrance of goods and movement of trucks, and attacked aid convoys, all of which has contributed to a reality in which 576,000 people—more than a quarter of Gaza’s population—are living on the brink of starvation. This is not because of a lack of available food. The UN’s World Food Programme has said there is enough food waiting outside Gaza to feed “the entire population,” and aerial photos from late February showed 2,000 trucks of aid sitting on the other side of the Egypt–Gaza border, awaiting entry.

(...)

Even when aid trucks arrive at the available crossings and have coordinated with the Israeli military in advance, they can still be denied entry into Gaza. Sometimes an entire truck is denied entry because it is carrying a specific item that the Israeli military considers “dual use” —items Israel says could be used for either civilian or military purposes. These items have included dates, sleeping bags, oxygen machines, ventilators, and crutches. “When a truck with just one of those items is turned down, the entire truck gets turned around and has to go back to the beginning of the process, which can take weeks,” Senator Chris Van Hollen explained to CNN after a January visit to the Gaza border. But even if an aid truck has no dual use items, it can still be stopped, seemingly arbitrarily. “It’s deliberately opaque, deliberately ambiguous,” a humanitarian official told CNN. “You can receive clearance from COGAT [Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, the branch of the Israeli military that oversees Palestinian civilian matters] and arrive to find police or finance and customs officials who will send the truck back.”

It is not just the military that stops trucks. For months, a growing group of Israelis has been staging regular—and widely popular—protests at the crossings in order to prevent aid trucks from entering Gaza, while police and soldiers stand by. These actions have, at times, successfully prevented trucks from entering the enclave for an entire day.

When trucks do enter Gaza, the Israeli military can still prevent them from reaching their destination within the enclave, especially when they are heading north to serve the approximately 300,000 Gazans still living there—many of whom have become so desperate for food that they have resorted to eating animal feed and weeds. In the past month, the Gaza Ministry of Health has reported at least 27 deaths due to malnutrition and dehydration in northern Gaza.

Touma of UNRWA noted that the organization has faced severe obstacles in getting aid to the north. “We’re not getting authorizations from the Israeli authorities to travel from the south to the north,” she said. Aid convoys traveling north have also been fired upon directly by the Israeli army. Between mid-January and the end of February, the UN recorded 14 incidents of “shooting, shelling and targeting groups gathered to receive urgently needed supplies.” Touma said that UNRWA convoys have faced such attacks, with some being “allowed to travel to the north and getting hit [by Israeli fire] either on the way up, or on the way back from delivering food.” February 29th saw the deadliest such incident yet, with Israeli troops opening fire on an aid convoy and killing over 100 Palestinians attempting to obtain food. Israeli military sources claim that troops were firing on “suspects who posed a threat” to troops, but accounts by survivors called the shooting “indiscriminate.”

(...)

While the US has successfully pressured Israel in limited cases around humanitarian aid—such as the recent approval of a US shipment of flour that far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich held up at an Israeli port for over a month—initiatives to airdrop aid and build a sea port work around Israel’s anti-aid policies, instead of trying to dismantle them. This approach, as The New York Times put it, positions the US as a provider of aid to “people who are being bombed with tacit US support.”

Moreover, such initiatives are unlikely to make a dent in the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. An airdrop contains one-tenth of the amount of food a single aid truck can bring in, and because they cannot be aimed precisely, or distributed properly, end up landing in random locations, including the sea, and causing chaos. “Because the aid is not coordinated, it isn’t going to people that need it most, it is going to the people that are the fastest and strongest,” former USAID director to the West Bank and Gaza Dave Harden told Middle East Eye. In one recent instance, airdropped aid even became deadly after a parachute attached to an aid package failed to deploy. Instead of slowly drifting down, the pallet of food attached to the parachute “fell down like a rocket on the roof of one of the houses,” a witness told The Guardian. The malfunction killed five people and injured at least ten other starving Gazans who had gathered to wait for food near the al-Shati Refugee Camp, one of the most devastated areas of the Strip, where aid has been particularly scarce.

The instance only affirmed the limitations of airdrops, which Harden has called “symbolic and designed in ways to appease the domestic base.” The same could be said of a US-run port which, in addition to taking up to two months to complete, will still face the challenges of secure transportation within the Strip once aid is unloaded from the dock.

In the absence of political pressure on Israel to change its policies, the situation in Gaza is likely to continue worsening as a growing number of Palestinians succumb to starvation and others, desperate for food, loot the few aid trucks that do enter the enclave. “People are really, really desperate. I’ve been to many, many emergencies, and I’ve never seen anything like the scale of this level of desperation,” Jaime McGoldrick, a top UN official in the region who has made regular trips to Gaza, told Jewish Currents. “When a truck comes in—because they don’t come regularly—people think there may not be another truck coming along for another week or so,” he explained. “So people stop it and they ransack it, they loot it because they’re desperate.” Harden told Jewish Currents that in this situation, the only way to prevent further looting and reestablish a secure aid distribution system is to allow in “more aid through more entry points in a highly decentralized way”—in other words, flood the enclave with necessary aid instead of trickling it in. “There is no real reason you couldn’t have four, six, ten entry points in Gaza right now,” Harden said, adding: “Israel knows this. The Biden administration knows this.”

[mihirvora]

Boost Your Ecommerce Success: The Role of the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India, Custom Clearance Processing, and Warehousing Services

In the rapidly evolving world of ecommerce, efficient logistics and supply chain management play a pivotal role in determining the success of an online business. From ensuring timely deliveries to managing inventory, the right logistics partners can make a significant difference. This article delves into the importance of the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India, the intricacies of Custom Clearance Processing, and the benefits of robust Warehousing Services in boosting your ecommerce success.

The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India

Selecting the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. A reliable courier service ensures that products are delivered on time, in perfect condition, and at a reasonable cost. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India:

Speed and Reliability: Fast delivery times are essential for customer satisfaction. The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India will offer same-day, next-day, and standard delivery options to cater to different customer needs.

Coverage Area: Ensure that the courier service covers all regions where your customers are located. The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India should have a wide network that includes urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.

Tracking and Transparency: Real-time tracking of shipments enhances transparency and builds trust with customers. The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India will provide detailed tracking information and timely updates.

Customer Support: Efficient and responsive customer support is vital for addressing any issues that may arise during the delivery process. The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India will have a dedicated support team to handle queries and complaints.

Custom Clearance Processing

Custom Clearance Processing is a critical component of international ecommerce. It involves ensuring that goods comply with all relevant regulations and laws before entering or leaving a country. Efficient Custom Clearance Processing can prevent delays, reduce costs, and ensure smooth operations. Here’s why Custom Clearance Processing is essential for ecommerce success:

Compliance with Regulations: Different countries have varied regulations and requirements for importing and exporting goods. Effective Custom Clearance Processing ensures that all necessary documentation is in place and that shipments comply with local laws.

Minimizing Delays: Delays in custom clearance can lead to dissatisfied customers and increased costs. Efficient Custom Clearance Processing helps in minimizing these delays, ensuring timely delivery of products.

Cost Savings: Proper Custom Clearance Processing can help in avoiding fines and penalties due to non-compliance. It also helps in optimizing the cost of duties and taxes, leading to overall cost savings.

Risk Management: Understanding and mitigating risks associated with international shipping is crucial. Effective Custom Clearance Processing includes risk assessment and management to prevent potential issues.

Warehousing Services

Warehousing Services are the backbone of an efficient supply chain. They play a vital role in managing inventory, ensuring product availability, and facilitating smooth order fulfillment. Here’s how robust Warehousing Services can boost your ecommerce success:

Inventory Management: Effective Warehousing Services provide accurate and real-time inventory tracking. This ensures that stock levels are maintained, preventing both overstocking and stockouts.

Order Fulfillment: Speed and accuracy in order fulfillment are crucial for customer satisfaction. Warehousing Services that streamline picking, packing, and shipping processes can significantly improve delivery times.

Scalability: As your ecommerce business grows, your warehousing needs will evolve. Flexible Warehousing Services can scale operations up or down based on demand, ensuring cost efficiency.

Cost Efficiency: Centralized warehousing can reduce transportation costs by consolidating shipments. Additionally, Warehousing Services can offer value-added services like packaging, labeling, and quality checks, enhancing overall efficiency.

Customer Experience: Timely and accurate order fulfillment directly impacts customer experience. Reliable Warehousing Services ensure that customers receive their orders on time, in good condition, enhancing their overall shopping experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the success of an ecommerce business hinges on efficient logistics and supply chain management. The Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India ensures timely and reliable delivery, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Efficient Custom Clearance Processing is crucial for compliance, cost savings, and minimizing delays in international shipping. Robust Warehousing Services provide effective inventory management, scalability, and cost efficiency, ensuring smooth order fulfillment.

By integrating the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India, effective Custom Clearance Processing, and reliable Warehousing Services into your ecommerce operations, you can streamline your supply chain, reduce costs, and provide an exceptional customer experience. This holistic approach to logistics and supply chain management will not only boost your ecommerce success but also give you a competitive edge in the dynamic online marketplace.

In your journey to ecommerce success, remember that the right logistics partners can make all the difference. Choose wisely and invest in services that align with your business goals and customer expectations. With the Best Ecommerce Courier Service in India, efficient Custom Clearance Processing, and robust Warehousing Services, your ecommerce business is well-equipped to thrive and grow.

[movingfromhongkong]

Your Ultimate Guide, to Moving from Hong Kong to the United States with the Best Moving Company

Embarking on a journey from Hong Kong to the USA is an endeavor. It does present its own set of obstacles. Selecting the moving company for your relocation is a crucial decision you must make. Here's how you can guarantee a transition between continents.

Why Opt for a Reputable Moving Company?

Moving across borders involves more than packing and shipping your possessions. It necessitates planning, coordination and familiarity with customs regulations. Engaging a moving company that specializes in relocations can offer invaluable support ensuring that your move is as smooth as possible.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Moving Company

Expertise in International Relocations

When picking a moving company prioritize those with a history of handling moves successfully. Experience is key for relocations like transitioning from Hong Kong, to the USA. A seasoned moving company will be well versed in navigating the complexities of border shipping and customs processes.

Comprehensive Service Offerings

A reputable moving company should provide an array of services to streamline your relocation process. Proficient packers can adeptly secure your belongings for their journey.

It can also come in for insurance reasons in case something goes missing or gets damaged.

Moving Day

On the day of the move make sure everything is packed and ready, for the movers. Keep papers like your passport and visa to you. The moving company will take care of the lifting. It's a good idea to be there to oversee things and deal with any last minute concerns.

Upon Arrival

Once your possessions reach the United States the moving company should help with customs clearance. Delivering them to your place. Unpacking services can also be a help making it easier for you to settle in quickly and comfortably.Moving from Hong Kong to the USA is a task. With a reliable moving company it can be a smooth and successful transition. By selecting a company with experience handling moves offering services and receiving positive feedback from customers you can ensure that your move is in capable hands. Start planning time, stay organized and get ready for your new chapter, in the USA!