Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1708 was created on December 20, 2017 and contains 33,859 ABI records and 6,591 harmonized tariff records.

With 2017 rapidly coming to a close, we are looking at supporting our members through the turn-over into the new year. At the writing of this article, it does not appear that GSP will be renewed. NCBFAA has previously published instructions on setting the GSP preferences to have the date of presentation be the date of entry. We encourage you to work with your clients to maximize the savings under this program by timing your entries appropriately.

The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will soon begin implementing a far-reaching traceability program for imports of 11 species of seafood and products containing the seafood. Beginning January 1, new data elements must be submitted through ACE.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO - www.gao.gov) is composing a report on Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway (GLSLS) shipping for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The GAO is an independent, nonpartisan agency that investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars on behalf of Congress.

Last week, NCBFAA Executive Vice President Megan Montgomery was focused on diving into NCBFAA's relationship with CBP from the daily ACE status calls to continued discussions on the NCBFAA priorities. There was robust dialogue to follow up the well-attended East Coast Trade Symposium. She had the opportunity to spend time with American Shipper, working on our partnership for the upcoming year. She supported the ongoing NCBFAA Board's strategic planning initiative, to be fully unveiled at the 2018 Annual Meeting as the path forward for the Association for the next five years. Last week was also the week for the monthly "usual suspects" gathering at a fellow trade association office, where Executives of trade associations, who really understand the technical aspects of customs and trade, meet once a month to share information and strategy to help better serve our members by working together. Finally, amidst a desk full of general Trade Symposium follow-up, she dedicated time to the upcoming Annual Conference. With 2018 just around the corner, the Annual Conference will be here in the blink of an eye.

Beginning January 1, under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), importers are required to electronically submit detailed data elements for 11 species of seafood and seafood-containing food products, including: where the fish was caught, the type of net used, the name of the vessel, where the fish was off-loaded, the weight of the fish when it was off-loaded, the name of the processor, among other details.

CBP's recent East Coast Trade Symposium was a valuable opportunity for Customs and the trade to come together and share insights and ideas about the future of trade and trade regulation. NCBFAA President Geoff Powell was honored to be invited to participate in the first full session of the Symposium with a one-on-one interview with CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. Powell's questions included inquiries into the future direction of CBP's policy and focus, what keeps the Commissioner up at night, and the future of cargo and e-commerce management. The Commissioner's replies were insightful, in no way "needlessly verbose" and showed the attendees we are indeed lucky to have such an engaged and dynamic leader at CBP. The Commissioner let the audience know that CBP is focused on their 2020 strategy and looking beyond the next budget cycle to make a long-term plan for the agency that incorporates security, safety, compliance and the PGAs in a streamlined, meaningful and relevant way.

Earlier this Fall, all those designated as the primary contact to represent their company for the NCBFAA received a notice requesting them to confirm the accuracy of their corporate information in the NCBFAA databases. For those who have already responded, thank you; all others are encouraged to please take a few minutes to use the access credentials included in that email communication to review, and if necessary to update, your company's information

With year-end fast approaching and the holidays here, what better gift to share with someone (or yourself) than registering for the 2018 NCBFAA Annual Conference in beautiful Rancho Mirage, CA!

With the tax bill occupying center stage next week, there is little chance that deadlines for spending and trade can be met by the end of the week, which also will be the end of the First Session of the 115th Congress.

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.