If you’ve ever needed to quickly locate a company's headquarters—say, for due diligence, compliance, or strategic partnership—you’ll understand how frustrating it can be when public information is scattered or outdated. This article dives into the practical steps to identify KGKG’s main office location, illustrates with real examples and pitfalls, and explores what headquarters actually mean in a world where "verified trade" compliance varies wildly by country. Plus: an expert’s take, compliance tables, and some very real-world detours along the way.
I once had a project go sideways because a supplier’s "headquarters address" on their contract didn’t match up with what ustr.gov (the US Trade Representative) acknowledged for trade certification. The deal was stuck until we cleared up the confusion. Turns out, knowing not just the city, but the proper legal entity and registration, is critical—especially for any process involving customs, anti-money laundering (AML) checks, or certifying “verified trade.” If you’re in risk, trade, or compliance, you learn quickly that the formal, registered address is the only one that counts.
Fun fact: Under WTO dispute settlement rules, country of registration can make or break a trade complaint. And the address on the business registry is what holds up.
The ticker symbol KGKG refers to Kona Gold Beverage, Inc. If you Google it, you'll immediately hit on SEC filings. But as I discovered, you can get tripped up by legacy data or predecessor entries (looking at you, EDGAR archive). Here’s how I sorted it out:
Personal Experience: Funny thing—last year, when helping a vendor get “verified trade” status, their website had their New York sales office as “headquarters.” Turns out, their actual registration was a Delaware holding company based in Miami. Customs held the shipment until we proved up the proper legal address. That week was... educational.
Headquarters isn’t just a mailing location—it’s the linchpin for a company being certified or recognized for international trade, tax treaty eligibility, and compliance with local laws. “Verified Trade” status depends on not only where a company is incorporated, but also if their principal business operations align with that address. WTO sets global frameworks, but practical enforcement is up to national agencies.
Suppose a US exporter (like KGKG) is shipping beverages to Germany. US customs accepts the Orlando address, as per the US SEC and State Registry. But under EU customs rules, the EU wants evidence of actual business activity at the stated HQ—think pay slips, lease proofs, or phone bills. In 2022, a real Florida fruit exporter (not KGKG) was penalized in Rotterdam because their headquarters was a “mail drop” only. They ended up needing to re-register for “verified” exporter status.
"US exporters get tripped up when their head office address is inconsistent across SEC filings, IRS registration, and international invoices. If your legal residency proof doesn’t match for verified exporter status—or, say, for leveraging NAFTA/USMCA preferences—you're stuck in limbo at the border. Matching records is not just good housekeeping. It’s how deals don’t get torpedoed by paperwork." — Lisa Perez, International Trade Lawyer, via Export.gov forum
Country/Region | Verification Name | Legal Basis | Enforcement Agency | Proof Needed |
---|---|---|---|---|
USA | ACE Exporter/IRS Registered Office | CBP ACE, IRS Pub 583 | Customs & Border Protection, IRS | State registry, SEC filings |
EU | Authorised Exporter/Registered Exporter (REX) | EU Reg. 2015/2447 | National Customs, DG TAXUD | Business lease, payroll, state company file |
China | Shipper Registration | MOFCOM rules (see official link) | Customs, MOFCOM | Incorporation doc, local tax registration |
Japan | Certified Exporter | Customs Law, Article 67-2 | Japan Customs (NACCS) | Company seal, registration, business license |
If you’re cross-referencing addresses for a company like KGKG, always ask: does this satisfy “substantive presence” requirements for the jurisdictions you’re dealing with? What the US IRS accepts might not cut it with German customs, for instance.
For the latest, always cross-check with official sources and, if you’re dealing with international "verified trade"—prepare documentation that stands up in every country you do business with. One mismatched address is all it takes to mess up months of work.
Reference Links and Further Reading:
SEC EDGAR: KGKG Filings
Florida Sunbiz Business Registry
US Customs & Border Protection
EU Authorised Exporter Guide