Customer Spotlight: EndoQuest Robotics

We had the privilege of interviewing EndoQuest on their groundbreaking Flexible Robotic Surgery System and how Mercury’s support helps keep their mission moving safely, compliantly, and on schedule. They recently hit major milestones and as their shipments expanded, Mercury helped coordinate white-glove delivery, specialized carrier selection, and proactive documentation support.

Read the full interview to learn how EndoQuest is scaling their footprint and what it takes to move sensitive robotic equipment without delays.

👉 Read more in the full interview here! 

Industry Knowledge

Guide to Shipping Research Use Only (RUO) Labeled Products

Research Use Only (RUO) labeled products require specialized handling that many lab operations overlook until a shipment gets rejected at customs or a temperature-sensitive sample arrives compromised. The FDA classifies RUO products as In Vitro Diagnostic devices in laboratory research phases, exempting them from certain Part 812 requirements but demanding precise labeling and documentation to prevent legal consequences. Temperature excursions during transit compromise research validity by degrading sensitive biological samples, proteins, and enzymes, while inadequate dry ice calculations for customs delays can destroy irreplaceable specimens. Mercury specializes in RUO logistics with comprehensive cold chain solutions, regulatory documentation expertise, and real-time monitoring systems that maintain product integrity from laboratory pickup through final delivery.

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Critical Tariff Changes for US-Japan Healthcare Imports: What You Need to Know

The US-Japan Framework Agreement, implemented on August 7, 2025, establishes a baseline 15% tariff on nearly all Japanese imports—directly impacting over $40 billion in annual pharmaceutical and medical device shipments from manufacturers including Takeda, Chugai, and Daiichi Sankyo. Japanese biologics, specialty medications, diagnostic equipment, and laboratory instrumentation now require proper HS code classification to determine whether existing Column 1 duty rates already meet the 15% threshold or need adjustments. The agreement applies retroactively, creating refund opportunities for companies that imported eligible products during transition periods, while specialized provisions cover automobiles, civil aircraft exemptions, and Section 232 product continuity. Mercury's customs brokerage specialists help healthcare importers navigate these complex requirements, identify refund eligibility, and ensure proper tariff code application for temperature-controlled biologics and time-critical pharmaceutical shipments.

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Declared Value vs. Shipping Insurance: Protecting Your High-Value Shipments

Most operations managers believe declaring a higher value provides full insurance coverage—it doesn't, and this misconception costs healthcare companies thousands in unrecovered losses when biological samples or pharmaceutical shipments are lost or damaged. Declared value only establishes carrier liability limits and requires you to prove carrier negligence for reimbursement, while comprehensive shipping insurance provides separate coverage with broader protection including theft after delivery and significantly faster claim resolution—48-72 hours versus 30-90 days for carrier liability claims. Major carriers cap declared value at $50,000 (FedEx/UPS) or just $5,000 (USPS), leaving high-value temperature-sensitive cargo exposed to massive financial risk without proper insurance protection. Mercury helps life sciences companies navigate carrier liability terms, select appropriate coverage levels for irreplaceable specimens and diagnostic materials, and coordinate with insurance providers to expedite claim resolution when losses occur.

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Commercial Invoice Errors That Cost Life Sciences Companies Thousands in Delays and Penalties

A single mistake on your commercial invoice can strand temperature-sensitive biological samples at customs for days while accumulating storage fees, missing critical research deadlines, and triggering financial penalties that vary by country and violation severity. The commercial invoice serves as your shipment's passport—customs officers rely on it to verify contents, calculate duties and taxes, identify restricted items, and ensure compliance, making accurate completion essential for every international pharmaceutical, diagnostic kit, or clinical trial material shipment. Errors in HS code classification, incorrect declared values, missing EORI numbers, or incomplete product descriptions create cascading problems including customs fraud investigations, license suspensions, and damaged relationships with customers who face unexpected costs and service disruptions. Mercury's customs brokerage experts handle commercial invoice preparation for every shipment, pre-populating information from previous shipments while ensuring accuracy and compliance with current regulations worldwide, so your team can focus on research and product development instead of complex documentation requirements.

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Product Spotlight: Default Address

Additional Software Updates

Improved Sender Address & Contact Logic: Shipment forms now automatically apply smarter defaults for Sender Address and Sender Contact information:
Default Origin Address (if set) is auto-selected with its saved contact details. If no default exists, the sender field is focused and contact details default to the logged-in user. Selecting an address updates contact details when available. Edits to contact details apply only to the current shipment.Additional improvements: Contact name is no longer required in the address book

E-mail to Clients for Temperature Monitoring Report: When the document is ready, an e-mail will be sent to the client (to the e-mail address tagged as the Delivery e-mail) with the document attached.

Notification settings during shipment creation Clients will be able to choose which e-mail addresses receive specific notifications during the shipment creation process.

Manage notification settings after shipment creation Clients will be able to update their notification settings or add new e-mail addresses after the shipment has been created.

Map View in Portal Clients will be able to track their shipments in an offline map in the Portal.

SSO Login in Portal Clients will be able to log in to the Portal using SSO. This functionality will be enabled for clients upon request.

Optional Carrier Account Number for Importer cases The Carrier Account Number will be optional on all parcel forms when the Importer is selected as the party responsible for duties and taxes.

Improved tracking for multi-leg same-day shipments: Clients will be able to track their multi-leg same-day shipments with enhanced detail in the Portal.

Employee Spotlight

Meet Tobey Hoch: Solving Complex Healthcare Shipments with Precision and Partnership

When multiple pallets of expensive medical devices get picked up by the wrong LTL carrier and no one can track them down, that's when Tobey Hoch's problem-solving skills shine. As a Logistics Guide in Mercury's Charlie Squad, Tobey brings the detail-oriented focus that healthcare logistics demands, from coordinating human cell shipments to China to managing time-critical deliveries under tight deadlines. Her approach reflects what makes Mercury different: taking a step back during chaos, working face-to-face with teammates to solve problems like puzzles, and following process every single time because the most obvious details are the ones that get overlooked first.

What Tobey finds most rewarding isn't just successfully navigating international customs inspections, it's the client relationships built over time through consistent results and trusted recommendations. She understands that healthcare logistics carries dramatic impact because the work directly contributes to saving lives, making every shipment meaningful beyond its tracking number. Her advice captures the Mercury spirit: always ask colleagues for input, because their experience with specific locations or products provides insights you would never have considered alone, and a commitment to teamwork that transforms complex healthcare shipments into seamless deliveries.

👉 Read Tobey’s full story