NCBFAA submitted comments last week in response to a July 10 Federal Register notice asking for comments on ways to combat counterfeit and pirated goods trafficking, particularly in e-commerce. The notice is part of an interagency review pursuant to the President's April 3, 2019, Memorandum on Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods.

On July 22, the NCBFAA filed comments on the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) interim final rule that makes changes to the agency's Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Wayne Wagner's memory to Saint John's Health Center Foundation, 2121 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Please write on your check that this gift supports JWCI - Research Oncology Urology Fund - in honor of Wayne Wagner, Jr., and make checks payable to Saint John's Health Center Foundation. You can also make a gift over the phone by calling Meghan Chereck at (310) 829-8394, or online at https://www.saintjohnscancer.org/make-a-donation/contact-us-donation-form/.

It is with great regret that we inform you that Wayne Wagner unexpectedly passed away on Monday, July 8th. Wayne started his career at Tower Group 35 years ago, which became FedEx Trade Networks in 2001. Wayne most recently served as the Senior Manager of Brokerage Services but had many roles in the company including General Manager of the Southwest Region. Wayne was a licensed Customs Broker, a Certified Customs Specialist and held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whittier College in California.

The rumors that you may have heard concerning a change in the process for registering an NVOCC's bill of lading in the PRC appear to be accurate. The NCBFAA has been advised that the Ministry of Transportation for the PRC issued regulations that formally cancel all existing registrations for NVOCC bills of lading and has instituted in its place a very simple process by which each NVOCC's agent in the PRC can quickly submit the necessary registration data through an online registration process.

Last week, Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) John Sanders resigned his post effective July 5. Sanders was designated Acting Commissioner after former Commissioner Kevin McAleenan left to become Acting Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) on April 15.

It's hard to think of a time that has been more unsteady or uneasy when it comes to all matters of trade. From Section 301 tariffs going into effect through the fall of 2018; to additional tariff threats on China (potential Tranche 4), Canada, Mexico and the EU; immigration impacts at the border with Mexico; and ongoing discussions on the USMCA, these certainly are uncertain times in our history.

In Thursday's U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conference call, the agency provided the Trade with an update on southern border operations and the current state of the USMCA agreement.

It's that time of year again! In just a few short months, NCBFAA members from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C. for NCBFAA's 2019 Government Affairs Conference to help shape and grow the future of our industry by learning about the numerous legislative and regulatory issues that are confronting our industry! Make your voice heard by engaging with your Representatives and persuading them to become more actively involved in addressing these issues.

25% tariffs are now in place on $200 billion of Chinese goods. China has in turn retaliated with tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. products. And we have chosen to up the pressure. Still, no talks are currently scheduled between U.S. and Chinese negotiators. Panelists at a Washington International Trade Association event on Wednesday were not optimistic about the prospects for a quick end to the dispute. US-China Business Council Senior Vice President Erin Ennis said that the "prudent" course was to plan on higher tariffs going into effect on most remaining products from China. A slim possibility exists that President Trump and President Xi Jinping could yet strike a deal when they meet at the June in Osaka, Japan for the G-20 summit. However, there is no indication that the groundwork for such a breakthrough is being laid. In fact, in recent weeks, China has dug in its heels, while at the same time the Trump Administration has shown no sign of softening its stance.

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.