The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on April 8 issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking comments regarding carrier (1) pass-through charges, and (2) tariff access fees. The ANPRM is a part of the FMC's initiative to review existing regulations to determine whether they are outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective. Specifically, the FMC is seeking comments on how non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) apply pass-through charges under their tariffs, and the reasonableness of certain tariff access fees. The FMC is seeking public input prior to determining whether to change its carrier tariff regulations.

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) has once again introduced the Imported Seafood Testing Act (H.R. 1236) in the 117th Congress, requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to inspect at least 20% of all imported seafood each year, as well as the first 15 shipments imported into the U.S. by a new importer.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on April 9 released President Biden's fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding request to Congress. The OMB is expected to release the president's budget later this spring.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) implemented its One U.S. Government Messaging System at Import (1USG) to all the trade on March 22. The 1USG Messaging for the first time allows two-way messaging between CPSC, CBP and the trade. For the most part, the roll-out has been smooth. Yet, the process has caused some confusion in the trade. NCBFAA is working with CPSC and CBP to clarify any points of confusion. Please contact RAC@ncbfaa.org if you have questions or have experienced issues with CPSC's new process.

NCBFAA congratulates Daniela Piperno as this year's annual scholarship recipient.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as expected, deployed the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMA) enhancements to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on April 6.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has advised the air cargo industry that the Indirect Air Carrier Management System (IACMS) is incorporating new functionality for the upcoming Secure Packing Facility (SPF) addition.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is stepping up enforcement of its Food Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) for imported products, with an increasing number of inspections and warning letters to importers citing FSVP failures. The FDA is conducting both remote and on-site inspections. Many of the FSVP inspections involve remote inspection of electronic records. Typical violations found by FDA include:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 29 posted the final versions of the PGA Message Set and Appendix PGA under the "PGA Message Set Documents" section of its website.

During the 2020 Biennial Registration Renewal for Food Facilities, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required facilities to obtain a DUNS number as a part of the registration. As the Dec. 31 deadline for renewal approached, many facilities were experiencing difficulty obtaining a DUNS number for the facility location. In response to concerns from the trade, the FDA issued guidance on Dec. 1, 2020, allowing registrants to enter "PENDING" in the field where the Identifier is required, so long as the registration is updated with the DUNS number in 90 days. The Unique Identification Number (UFI) field has been added to Section 2 of Form 3537, Food Facility Registration.

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.