Congestion Excess Dwell Fee assessments at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which were scheduled to begin Nov. 15 for all containers that have been on dock at least nine days, will now take effect Nov. 22.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released an updated Draft Cargo Release CATAIR chapter for future capabilities. The update includes updated SE30, SE31, SE50 and SE51 records along with updated output and input record usage maps. View the document here.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a series of webinars for stakeholders to explain the requirements under the new Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) rule, which takes effect on Jan. 1 with new requirements for the production and import of bulk HFCs. At this time, imports of products containing HFCs (aerosols, air conditioners, refrigeration equipment) are not covered by the rule.

Here is a summary of the latest legislative and regulatory transport, logistics and trade sector updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Transportation Counsel firm Venable:

NCBFAA submitted a comprehensive response on Nov. 19 to Sen. Bill Cassidy’s request for feedback regarding the recently released Discussion Draft of the proposed Customs Modernization Act 2021 (ModAct-21).

The NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) reached out to the administrators of the UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code) to express its support for the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service’s request for a new code for sliced/diced tomatoes.

The USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) has noticed an increase in misclassification of Christmas trees. To clear up any misunderstanding on the HTS codes for Christmas trees, the Christmas Tree Promotion Board provides the following information to improve accuracy and knowledge of the importation of Christmas trees:

Prospects for the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) duty suspensions and Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) renewal improved last week when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer agreed to go to conference on the larger U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) — a bipartisan Senate-passed bill that aims to boost U.S. competition with China. The USICA package includes both GSP renewal and MTB duty suspensions.

The recent sentencing of a CEO of children's apparel company by a New York district court for engaging in a years-long scheme to defraud Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of import duties should also serve as reminder to the nation's customs brokers that it is important to know your customers and their business patterns.

Starting Jan. 25, all Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)-flagged products must have a Message Set or a valid disclaimer filed in ACE.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided guidance for the additional duties on U.S. imports of Brazilian products that are subject to the July 30 Executive Order (EO), “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Brazil,” and will become effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on Aug. 6.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are reviewing the details of the numerous reciprocal tariffs that took effect Aug. 1, the new 35% Canadian product tariff, the Section 232 import duties on copper and copper derivative products, and the end to de minimis for commercial shipments effective on Aug. 29. The Committee will report any ongoing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance related to these White House actions to our customs broker members as soon as it’s released by the agency.

Recognizing the rapid and unexpected increase in duties, customs brokers and warehouse proprietors increasingly are encountering situations of unclaimed, rejected, and abandoned cargo. In response, the NCBFAA Customs Committee, Transportation Committee, Committee Counsel, and Leadership have collaboratively developed a guidance document to assist NCBFAA Regular Members to address the recurring questions regarding this cargo and to clarify the rights of the transacting parties, as well as service providers.

The Vanguard Pest Control treatment provider informed the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that it will discontinue phytosanitary fumigations and close its treatment facility at the Newark, New Jersey, location at the end of July. APHIS provided guidance to the trade.

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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided guidance for the additional duties on U.S. imports of Brazilian products that are subject to the July 30 Executive Order (EO), “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Brazil,” and will become effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on Aug. 6.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are reviewing the details of the numerous reciprocal tariffs that took effect Aug. 1, the new 35% Canadian product tariff, the Section 232 import duties on copper and copper derivative products, and the end to de minimis for commercial shipments effective on Aug. 29. The Committee will report any ongoing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance related to these White House actions to our customs broker members as soon as it’s released by the agency.

Recognizing the rapid and unexpected increase in duties, customs brokers and warehouse proprietors increasingly are encountering situations of unclaimed, rejected, and abandoned cargo. In response, the NCBFAA Customs Committee, Transportation Committee, Committee Counsel, and Leadership have collaboratively developed a guidance document to assist NCBFAA Regular Members to address the recurring questions regarding this cargo and to clarify the rights of the transacting parties, as well as service providers.

The Vanguard Pest Control treatment provider informed the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that it will discontinue phytosanitary fumigations and close its treatment facility at the Newark, New Jersey, location at the end of July. APHIS provided guidance to the trade.

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

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided guidance for the additional duties on U.S. imports of Brazilian products that are subject to the July 30 Executive Order (EO), “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Brazil,” and will become effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on Aug. 6.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are reviewing the details of the numerous reciprocal tariffs that took effect Aug. 1, the new 35% Canadian product tariff, the Section 232 import duties on copper and copper derivative products, and the end to de minimis for commercial shipments effective on Aug. 29. The Committee will report any ongoing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance related to these White House actions to our customs broker members as soon as it’s released by the agency.

Recognizing the rapid and unexpected increase in duties, customs brokers and warehouse proprietors increasingly are encountering situations of unclaimed, rejected, and abandoned cargo. In response, the NCBFAA Customs Committee, Transportation Committee, Committee Counsel, and Leadership have collaboratively developed a guidance document to assist NCBFAA Regular Members to address the recurring questions regarding this cargo and to clarify the rights of the transacting parties, as well as service providers.

The Vanguard Pest Control treatment provider informed the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that it will discontinue phytosanitary fumigations and close its treatment facility at the Newark, New Jersey, location at the end of July. APHIS provided guidance to the trade.

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