Monday Morning eBriefing

Robert Alan "Bob" DeCamp passed away Jan. 17, 2021, due to complications from Covid-19, according to a recent statement from his family. He was 70.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to work with its interagency partners to expeditiously clear into the United States authorized pharmaceuticals, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and other imports needed for national COVID-19 response efforts, verifying that these imports are safe for use.

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 have recently joined our association:

In a Feb. 11 CSMS message (CSMS #46187634), the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) reminded the trade that loads of potatoes, onions and open field/field grown potatoes must be certified as meeting the AMS Section 8e import requirements prior to the load entering U.S. commerce. Certification can be completed either prior to import into the U.S. or upon arrival at its destination pithing the U.S.

With a "standing room only" audience of nearly 1,000, NCBFAA's Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) joined with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in a lively discussion on how to master the APHIS Core Message Set. The webinar could not have come at a better time, since the March 15 hard enforcement deadline is near.

The NCBFAA's Air Freight Subcommittee wants to remind all our members to confirm your Dangerous Goods certification is up to date, and that your certifier has a current accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

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 have recently joined our association:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week began implementing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) imported seafood pilot, which will use AI and machine learning, along with its current PREDICT system, to screen imported seafood shipments

Paulette Kolba, formerly of DSV Air & Sea in Los Angeles, and Myra K. Reynolds, of John S. James Co. in Savannah, Georgia, have recently become Honorary Members of the NCBFAA upon announcing their retirements.

The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recently published its 2020 annual report.

Alejandro Mayorkas on Feb. 2 was sworn in as homeland security secretary.

Third country antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) case numbers allow importers to enter merchandise that have a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) country of origin that differ from the country of the AD/CVD order.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) notified the trade (CSMS #4604469) that the agency will begin mandatory ACE filing of FWS-regulated products in June 2021, rather than in March as previously planned.

Despite the slowdown in trade due to the coronavirus pandemic, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in its annual Trade and Travel Report that it processed more than 32.8 million import entries with a value of $2.4 trillion during fiscal year 2020.

Before those flowers are given to loved ones this Valentine's Day, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists will have a hand in ensuring that they are free of bugs and other unwelcomed pests.

It's that time of the year-Chinese New Year. During this holiday, China's factories generally close for two weeks. This year, the holiday will occur Feb. 12-26.

Demurrage and detention charges are designed as a tool by ocean carriers and marine terminal operators to encourage shippers and NVOCCs to utilize and return container equipment in a timely manner.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has advised the trade of the addition of three new Protest Issues in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Protest Module.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed all alcohol-based hand sanitizers from Mexico on a countrywide import alert to help stop products that appear to be in violation from entering the U.S. until the agency is able to review the products' safety.

As a Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) Importer and FSVP Agent, United Safety Agents works closely with its customs brokerage and freight forwarding partners to ensure that their clients comply with FSVP, are represented by an experienced FSVP Agent, and successfully clear the FSVP-portion of U.S. Customs entry. The firm acts as the FSVP Agent for a large and diverse set of food, beverage, and dietary supplement manufacturers, exporters, and non-resident importers. United Safety Agents' FSVP services complement those typically offered by NCBFAA's member companies, without overlap. In most cases FSVP Agent representation can be established in as little as 24-hours. Visit United Safety Agents website to learn more about FSVP, its implications for your clients, and the ways in which FSVP Agency can complement and streamline your service offerings and operation.