Monday Morning eBriefing

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is temporarily delaying the effective date of the new user fee structure for Section 8(e) inspections, which was previously due to take effect Jan. 29. The new effective date is March 20.

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome Barnes Global Trade, Ligentia USA, and Logineer USA, which have recently joined our association. We're so excited to have these firms join our organization and we are happy to assist in any way we can!

A summary of the latest legislative and regulatory transport, logistics and trade sector updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Transportation Counsel firm Venable.

A summary of the latest customs and cross-border trade regulatory updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Customs Counsel firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg.

The NCBFAA Officers, Board of Directors, and Committee Leaders held productive quarterly meetings in Atlanta on Jan. 24-26, during which they reviewed recent regulatory and legislative actions by the association, as well as considered strategies for potential tariffs and other trade disruptions anticipated with the Trump Administration.

The Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA) now offers customs brokers and freight forwarders who meet certain criteria for regular membership a subscription to its industry notifications, including information regarding LACBFFA workshops, classes, conferences, and other activities.

The U.S. Senate on Saturday, Jan. 25, approved the nomination of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by a vote of 59-34. She was then immediately sworn into the position by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

NCBFAA is proud to acknowledge the recent formation of Mid-South Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (MSCBFA). The affiliate association, which is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, will represent industry members in the states of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

The industry-leading 52nd NCBFAA Annual Conference at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass on April 6-9 would not be possible without the generous support of our numerous sponsors. Their contributions ensure that our Annual Conferences are always a most pleasant experience for attendees.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin collecting additional required data elements in ACE for merchandise subject to sanctions on Russian diamonds and seafood. Submission of the new data elements will become mandatory in April.

An NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) member reached out to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to ask about shipments on the water when APHIS regulations change, particularly regarding the Jan. 13 notice about the foot-and-mouth disease restrictions on certain agricultural products from Germany.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Jan. 28 deployed the following ACE Cargo Release Certification (CERT) environment: Cargo Sanctions, Updated Requirements for GBI Enrollment, and GBI Party Type Description. ACE Entry Summary will deploy GBI Party Type Description and Cargo Sanctions.

Customs and Border Protection on Jan. 23 announced that the retirement of the Trade Export data universe in ACE Reports originally scheduled for Jan. 23 is postponed. A new date for the retirement has not yet been provided by the agency.

To implement the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Systems Security Policy, all trade participants who transmit electronic data directly to CBP's Automated Systems are required to have a signed Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) on file with CBP.

President Trump released his memorandum on an America First Trade Policy on Monday, Jan. 20, that did not immediately result in “day one” additional tariffs on any country, but it is a top-to-bottom review of every possible action the U.S. could take against a country that is trading unfairly or burdening U.S. commerce based on existing laws.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Annual Permit User Fee for Customs Brokers must be processed with the agency by Jan. 31. Failure to file could lead to permit revocation.

President Trump on Jan. 20 designated Louis E. Sola to serve as Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Sola, who succeeds Daniel Maffei as Chairman, has served as a Commissioner of the FMC since January 2019.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated its FAQs regarding the ACE warning message for de minimis shipments that may exceed the daily per person/per day threshold.

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome Access Freight Systems, Clarke International Services, Concord Solutions Group, FYI Logistics Corp, and Newage Software and Solutions, which have recently joined our association. We're so excited to have these firms join our organization and we are happy to assist in any way we can!

A summary of the latest legislative and regulatory transport, logistics and trade sector updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Transportation Counsel firm Venable.