The NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) is closely watching legislation that proposes a sweeping expansion of the SIMP (Seafood Import Monitoring Program). Introduced on May 11 by Reps. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Garrett Graves (R-LA), the Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R. 3075) seeks to add even more supply chain data to be transmitted at the time of entry. Provisions of the legislation include:

The demand for pets soared during the pandemic, triggering increased imports of dogs into the U.S. As a result, customs brokers have found themselves frequently processing imports of dogs. For many, the requirements are unfamiliar and often confusing.

NCBFAA recently surveyed importers and exporters about their thoughts on our industry, the anticipated future of our relationships, where customs brokers add value, and how our members can keep providing invaluable service to their clients now and in the future.

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

A controversial California law, known as AB-5, would make it illegal for most industries, such as trucking, to hire independent contractors of those contractors perform tasks that the company does in the normal course of business.

The Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) recently received several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for information related to FWS-regulated imports and exports provided by importers and exporters on Form 3-177 between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2020. FWS is notifying the trade community that businesses have until June 1, 2021, to file an objection to the request.

Today's golf clubs are generally made of prefabricated components consisting of a head, shaft, and grip. Recently, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in CSMS #47830638 advised the trade how to enter golf clubs when manufactured and assembled in multiple countries with Chinese-originating components subject to Section 301 duties.

Shippers, including freight forwarders and NVOCCs, interested in providing their expertise to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will soon be able to apply to serve on the agency's new National Shipper Advisory Committee.

NOAA Fisheries on May 21 released its Report on Initial implementation of the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) on May 18 introduced a bill to re-instate the lapsed Generalized System of Preferences with new labor and environment conditions.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.