As previously reported, FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye was placed in charge of Fact Finding Investigation 28 that was looking into carrier and port demurrage and detention practices. This investigation arose out of the Petition filed by the NCBFAA and a number of other trade associations requesting that the Commission issue a rule to extend free time on demurrage and detention in those instances where containers could not be picked up or returned due to circumstances beyond the control of NVOCCs and cargo owners.

High-value valuation reviews are reportedly being conducted by Chinese Customs in certain ports. A few of the NCBFAA's Export Compliance Sub-committee members have reported seeing these requests from their counterparts in China, requesting "Declaration Documents issued by US Customs on which could certify cargo actual value."

NCBFAA joined more than 140 organizations in a letter from the Coalition for Free Trade to President Trump expressing approval for his decision to avoid a tariff increase on March 2 and allow negotiations with China to continue. The coalition wrote: "It is our hope that the momentum will build in the weeks ahead and lead to a final deal that addresses structural issues in China, removes tariffs on both sides and eliminates trade uncertainty facing American business and farmers." At the same time, the group urged the Administration to "publish a notice in the Federal Register immediately confirming and detailing your decision in order to provide certainty to the business community."

In a notice posted in the February 20 edition of the Federal Register, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that they have revoked close to 600 hundred customs broker's licenses for their failure to file the 2018 triennial status reports.

In letters to both U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the NCBFAA applauded the two agencies on their handling of the recent Federal Government shutdown. In particular, the NCBFAA appreciated how each agency went out of their way to keep the Trade, and our members, apprised of all crucial information pertaining to the movement of trade. The information was vital in keeping all of our businesses up and running as smooth as possible in such a tumultuous time period.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has just announced that the location for the "21st Century Customs Framework" public meeting, scheduled for Friday, March 1, has been changed. The public meeting will now be held at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Herbert Hoover Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

On January 28, after the government shutdown ended, the NCBFAA filed comments in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that the Federal Maritime Commission had initiated in December. The NPRM was relatively noncontroversial and was intended by the agency primarily streamline and clarify certain of the various regulations affecting the renewal process for OTI licenses.

Last Friday, President Trump signed a short-term spending bill that will reopen the Federal Government through at least February 15. If a longer deal has not been worked out by February 15, President Trump said that "the government will either shut down again," or "I will use my powers to build a wall."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced to the NCBFAA last Thursday that the enforcement of the changes to the in-bond regulations and the enforcement of ISF-5 fillings were being postponed due to the ongoing government shutdown. A CSMS message was released the following day, explaining the postponement in more detail.

Last week, the Americans for Free Trade Coalition, of which the NCBFAA is a member, welcomed the newly-elected and returning members of the 116th Congress with a letter urging them to consider the impact the trade war was having on their districts and states and reminding them of the power they have in trade policy matters.

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.