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.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) held their weekly conference call with the Trade last Thursday afternoon to discuss the ongoing migrant crisis at the southern border and the impact it's having on the movement trade.

Announced late on Friday, the United States stated it would lift its steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico within two days. These tariffs, which have been in place since March 2018, may signal a sooner, rather than later, passing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Published in the FEDERAL REGISTER on May 9, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced an increase in trade-remedy tariffs. The previously twice-delayed increase in trade-remedy tariffs assessed on products of Chinese origin pursuant to Section 301 Tranche 3 or List III will now be implemented. The notice provides for a two-part effective date and brokers need to consider the export and entry dates. The notice reads in part, "Effective with respect to goods (i) entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on May 10, 2019, and (ii) exported to the United States on or after May 10, 2019...". For goods meeting both qualifications, the trade-remedy tariff will increase from 10% to 25%. Thus, goods exported to the United States from China prior to May 10, 2019, will not be subject to the higher rate of duty.

Two years ago, the NCBFAA worked with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to challenge the attempts of the ocean carriers that would have required NVOCCs and shippers to provide a Verified Gross Mass (VGM) Certificate to the carriers in advance of tendering cargo. As you may recall, the VGM issue arose due to efforts by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), after several vessels capsized for unknown reasons, to adopt a method that would provide greater certainty about the weight of containers being loaded on vessels.

In their April 24 conference call, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided the trade with an update to the current state of southern border port operations. As a reminder, the NCBFAA is asking that if you have any questions for CBP that you would like to see answered in an upcoming call, please let us know and we will do our best to have them answered.

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.