About Us
Founded in 1888 as a Custom House Brokerage, Schmidt Pritchard & Co., Inc. has a long tradition of excellence. In 1971, Thomas and Barbara Garibaldi purchased the firm, transforming its Chicago office into a thriving operation. Over the next five decades, they built a trusted reputation, serving clients such as Crate & Barrel, Weber Grill, Tablecraft and importers of all sizes across the U.S. Following Thomas’s passing in 2024, Barbara continues to lead alongside daughters Lori Jo and Cindy, their families, and granddaughter Tommy Jean—ensuring a multi-generational commitment to service. Expanding this legacy, Cindy and Bill Helms launched SP Shipping, a freight forwarding division dedicated to the same professionalism and customer care that has defined Schmidt Pritchard & Co., Inc. for generations.
Our company has continually evolved to meet the demands of a changing world. Today, our logistics team blends deep industry expertise with a truly global reach, delivering tailored solutions that drive client loyalty and sustained operational growth.
From selecting the ideal ocean and air carriers to optimizing load planning, managing complex documentation, and ensuring compliance, we handle every detail with precision and care.
We offer flexible service levels—from door-to-door delivery to the most economical and time-sensitive options—backed by peak-season capacity planning and worldwide carrier knowledge.
Whatever your requirements, we provide reliable, efficient, end-to-end freight solutions designed to keep your business moving forward.
Our Services
US CUSTOMS BROKERAGE
For over 60 years, our company has worked with many levels of companies including fortune 500 companies. We consulted on not just the proper
requirements to meet tariff codes, but also duty drawback, how to
plan to incorporate new products based on tariff costs and potential
issues due to limitations on certain products.
Industry News
Current trends in international shipping and logistics emphasize efficiency and sustainability. Businesses are adopting eco-friendly practices and utilizing technology to streamline operations, enhance tracking, and improve resilience in response to growing global demands.
CPSC New Certificate Guidelines for 2026
Effective July 8, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will require importers of regulated consumer products to electronically transmit product safety certificate information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of entry. For entries processed through Foreign Trade Zones, this requirement becomes effective January 8, 2027.
Under this mandate, importers must submit certificate data derived from Certificates of Compliance issued pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act. Required data elements include product identification, applicable regulatory citations, importer and records‑custodian contact information, manufacturing and testing details,
and an importer attestation of compliance.
To ensure readiness, importers should coordinate filing procedures with their customs brokers, verify the accuracy and completeness of existing certificate data, consider registering for the CPSC Product Registry, review the CPSC HTS guidance list, and utilize available compliance resources such as the CPSC Regulatory Robot.
For further information, please refer to CPSC website
Careers
Join our Team
Discover the opportunities within the international shipping and logistics sector by joining our esteemed organization. We are dedicated to delivering efficient and reliable solutions tailored to meet our clients' diverse needs. If you have a passion for this industry and are to embrace new challenges, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of our team. Together, we can advance the future of logistics.
Get in Touch
9801 W. Lawrence Ave, Suite 2
Schiller Park, Illinois 60176
