Monday Morning eBriefing

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published its latest list of software vendors who are certified to submit transactions to the agency via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI).

PayCargo Capital makes available credit from $50,000 to $2.5 million to NCBFAA members in good standing. Customers use PayCargo Capital's credit lines for all sorts of freight charges, including COD, demurrage, per diem, and bills of lading. More details about this service are available here.

The U.S. Senate on March 17 confirmed Katherine Tai, the former House Ways and Means chief trade counsel, by a vote of 98-0 to serve as the Biden Administration's top trade negotiator. She was sworn into office the next day by Vice President Kamala Harris.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reports that mandatory ACE filing for APHIS-Core is off to a good start, with no apparent glitches during the first week.

The NCBFAA Export Compliance Subcommittee urges exporters and their Freight Forwarders to become aware of tightening U.S. restrictions on exports to Myanmar/Burma due to the recent overthrow of the civilian government by the country's military.

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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the trade has access to both the ES-010, Future Liquidations, and the ES-702, Official Notice of Extension, Suspension and Liquidation, to review extensions and suspensions of liquidation.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 15 issued its interim final rule (IFR) on mandatory advance electronic information or data, commonly known as AED. The regulation implements the STOP Act that Congress passed in 2018. The rule is effective immediately and interested parties are invited to provide comments within 60 days.

During the March 17 quarterly COAC meeting, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Robert Perez, with elaboration from Executive Director John Leonard, announced the formation of a 21st Century Customs Framework Task Force comprised of COAC, as well as other trade members.

Customs and Border Protection on March 17 informed the trade community that USMCA drawback claims can now be filed in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 18 disabled its current ACE Availability Dashboard to "make room for an improved dashboard" that provides real-time monitoring of the status and availability of Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) applications.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Section 8e marketing order and import inspection requirements for onions are now suspended.

A group of more than 20 U.S. senators have asked the Federal Maritime Commission to investigate reports of vessel-operating common carriers (VOCCs) refusing to transport containerized American agricultural exports.

CBP on March 8 published a message to the trade (CSMS #46518733) highlighting changes on behalf of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's amended Mango Promotion program.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 12 added 30 days for a total of 90 days for importers and their customs brokers to correct entries subject to third country case numbers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in conjunction with CBP, will expand the rollout of Two Way Messaging to all commercial brokers on March 22. The 1USG Messaging for the first time allows two-way messaging between CPSC, CBP and the trade. Under the messaging process, CPSC will receive notification from CBP of an incoming product of interest. At the same time, the trade will receive an "UNDER REVIEW" message, signifying that CPSC is reviewing the entry.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said it will extend Section 301 tariff exclusions on certain imports from China through Sept. 30 to support the country's ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife (FWS) told importers of aquarium moss balls to destroy them. On March 1, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists were alerted that zebra mussels were found attached and inside moss balls sold as aquarium plants.

Just days before the implementation date, the NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) held its final APHIS ACE webinar (see recording here) with an hour-long Q&A session with the APHIS ACE Team. Panel hosts Mike Lahar, of A.N. Deringer and RAC Chair, and Stuart Schmidt, of UPS Supply Chain Solutions and RAC Subcommittee Chair, urged customs brokers to use the vast array of resources that APHIS has assembled on its website (and which can be accessed from the NCBFAA APHIS Toolkit at ncbfaa.org).

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome the following member who has recently joined our association: