Unwrapping the Sweet Surprise: Japanese KitKats Take Center Stage in Our Year-End Adventure

Who could have imagined that the year-end trip to Japan of our very own go-to techie, Jason, who manages relations with our technology developers, would unveil a world of . . . KitKats. Yes, KitKats.

Already a personal favorite around the office, the familiar blood-orange packaging was a sweet confectionary reminder of childhood—as well as real-time indulgences.

But Jason, our very own bakery detective, returned for the New Year with a special supply of KitKats from the Land of Rising Vending Machines.

No less than baseball, the all-American export has become a staple of Japanese consumption, with a unique look-and-feel consistent with its adoptive home.

KitKats Beyond Borders

One of the reasons behind the popularity of KitKat in Japan is the cultural significance attached to the brand. KitKat is often given as a gift to students before exams, as “Kitto Katsu,” which translates to “You will surely win,” is a popular expression in Japan.

Japanese KitKats come in beautiful decorative packaging, each one a work of art. But what truly sets them apart is the variety of flavors, meticulously researched and developed by expert flavor engineers. Milk Tea flavored KitKats, for your pleasure? Purple sweet potato? Saki? Melon? Peach? Miso Soup? Sweet Red Bean? Coffee Break? And more . . . you’d almost think it was a national obsession! Introduced to Japan in 1973, there are now more than 300 flavors.

A Symphony of Flavors

Jason’s special supply included an assortment of these unique KitKat flavors, and the office was abuzz with excitement. Colleagues gathered around, tasting the exotic treats that had traveled thousands of miles to grace our desks.

As we savored the distinctive flavors, it became clear why Nestlé’s overseas marketing strategy for KitKats in Japan has been a smashing success. The cultural connection, attention to detail, and a flair for innovation have transformed KitKats into more than just a chocolate bar—they are a symbol of Japanese creativity and hospitality.

Expressing Exuberance Through Products

Japan, a powerhouse economy, stands out for its special brand of flamboyance, transforming products into expressions of national exuberance. Many Japanese enterprises, including those who avail our services to authenticate documents in global markets, play a crucial role in global trade. They contribute to a diverse array of consumer goods, advanced medicines, medical devices, and a plethora of goods and services.

All of us at WCSS extend our heartfelt thanks to our Japanese clients for occupying our client portfolio and for their indispensable role in global trade. And a special shout-out to Jason for not only managing our technology relations but also bringing a piece of Japan’s delectable culture into our daily office routine.

So here’s to Nestlé, here’s to Japan, and here’s to the unexpected joy that comes in the form of a KitKat. Because sometimes, a simple chocolate bar can be the bridge that connects us to cultures and flavors beyond our imagination.

A New Era: China and Canada Join the Apostille Treaty

The past two months have marked a monumental shift in the landscape of transnational commerce. In December 2023 and January 2024, two of the world’s largest nations ratified a treaty that has revolutionized the process of global document authentication.

Sixty-three years ago, at the Hague Conference in the Netherlands, the Apostille Treaty was drafted to streamline the authentication of documents. The traditional practice of stamping various documents, from shipping to manufacturing and academic transcripts, at Embassies of the destination countries, often resulted in delays of weeks or even months. This hindered the smooth flow of goods and services in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

The Apostille Treaty introduced a groundbreaking approach, allowing nations to abandon the cumbersome processes of the past. Early adopters of this streamlined process included Western European nations. As time progressed, countries throughout Latin America, Russia, Turkey, and others joined the treaty, eliminating the need for embossed, ceremonial stamps that, while charming, impeded the efficiency of global trade. The U.S. ratified the Treaty, too, but not until 1981.

Despite the benefits, some nations continued to resist, and some still do, representing a wide array of geographies and political profiles. Recent years, however, have seen great strides forward, with notable holdouts such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, among others, joining the Apostille Treaty.

A significant turning point occurred when China, which had for decades remained bound to the traditional process, announced it would transition to the Apostille Treaty. The scheduled switch took place in December 2023, and today, as the New Year unfolds, China-bound documents are moving through the streamlined Apostille process.

Surprising to many, Canada, often aligned with the political culture of Western Europe and the U.S., had also been a long-term holdout. As of January 11, 2024, however, Canada, too, has joined the ranks of Apostille countries.

Celebrating 40 years of document authentication, WCS has been at the forefront of the transformative shift in document authentication. Specialized in both Apostilles and Legalizations, WCS maintains a keen emphasis on Customer Experience and technology investment. WCS Express stands out as the most advanced online ordering platform in the industry.

As WCS continues to seamlessly facilitate transitions for new Treaty members, including the recent additions of China and Canada, we invite you to visit www.wcss.com. Learn more about our services and sign up for an online account to experience true expertise in document authentication.

FDA Plans More Digital Documents-CFG, COE, EPL

The FDA has announced another step forward into the digital age. Starting on December 16, 2023, the Certificate of Foreign Government(CFG), Certificate of Exportability (COE), and Export Permit Letter(EPL) will be issued electronically.

This follows last year’s move to issue digital Certificates of Pharmaceutical Products (eCPP).

WCS will continue to process the digital downloads generated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The one significant procedural change will be the elimination of the need to send us hard copies.

With digital document transmissions, once received, we print them at our office and then prepare them for authentication at the U.S. Department of State.

Our regulatory clients then have the same options available on the WCS Express ordering platform for post-scan confirmation and direct shipping to the final destination.

Please Contact WCS with any questions or concerns about this impending switchover to digital export documents.

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China is Up and Running

China has taken a giant step forward to simplify and improve the process of global document authentication.

Sixty years after the creation of the Apostille Treaty in The Hague, Netherlands, hastening the flow of crucial documents across borders, China has ratified the treaty. Then, in January of 2024, Canada will join the treaty system, leaving a shrinking group of nations to with the traditional system.

Not alone among long-term holdouts, which include Indonesia, Canada, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey, and others, the China-process involved costly fees and weeks spent at local Consulates waiting for stamping to be completed. This was all a product of hallowed traditions, in which sovereign nations applied diplomatic and bureaucratic certifications to inbound documents. Compounded with the time required at the government agencies of the issuing countries, delivery of products and services was often delayed, against the backdrop of rapidly modernizing transportation and digital communications.

Along the way from 1961 to present, China’s procedures for dispute resolution and other matters were unable to be reconciled with the Hague Convention, the international body that created the treaty. Major corporations and law firms became involved in specific dispute-resolutions. Prior to the Apostille Treaty, China had ratified another vital Hague Convention Treaty in 2005, the Hague Convention on Protection of Children, governing Inter-Country adoptions.

With China’s ratification of the Treaty on November 7, 2023, the number of signatory countries, from Brazil to India, totals 124. With many of the previous holdouts also joining in the last several years, the old ways of document authentication are disappearing into history. For global manufacturers and marketers, adopting parents, transnational workers, exchange students, and bi-national families, the savings in time and money are considerable—and often critical to the flow of global trade and travel.

Today, all you need is to notarize your document in the jurisdiction-of-origin. Once this is done, simply submit an online order through WCS Express™, and we will handle the rest for you.

Visit Washington Consular Service today and click on the ORDER NOW tab to access online ordering.

China and Canada Ratify Apostille Treaty

The Apostille Treaty, which simplified global document authentication at the Hague Convention 62 years ago, continues to make substantial gains.

With more than 100 participating countries in 2020, there remained significant holdouts. Then Singapore ratified the treaty—and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia.

Now, the two largest holdouts have ratified the Apostille Treaty— China and Canada. These mega-nations will begin Apostille processes on November 7, 2023, and January 11, 2024, respectively.

WCS will manage the transitions smoothly, on behalf of our client portfolio, which includes many global brands, with a concentration in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This year, we celebrate 40 years in business—as the premier service provider for document authentication.

We look forward to a streamlined process for documents with both origination and destination in Canada and China.

WCS Provides Shipping Services

Let WCS take one more task—shipping—off your plate.

Representing FEDEX with global, multi-directional discounts, WCS offers shipping services for the documents we authenticate.

It saves you time and money, so why not take advantage of our growing list of ancillary services.

Our core business remains apostilles and legalizations, with a renewed focus on translations, as well.

In 2023, we celebrate 40 years in the business of document authentication.

Come celebrate with us—at Washington Consular Service

And choose WCS shipping, during the online ordering process, for delivery to whomever awaits your document, wherever they locate.

You can visit WCS to set up an online account or contact us directly— info@wcss.com

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Unwrapping the Sweet Surprise: Japanese KitKats Take Center Stage in Our Year-End Adventure

A New Era: China and Canada Join the Apostille Treaty

FDA Plans More Digital Documents-CFG, COE, EPL

China is Up and Running

China and Canada Ratify Apostille Treaty