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NCBFAA members have been hearing a lot about the new Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). This complex new regulation will take effect soon. To help you understand a customs broker's role, NCBFAA provides the following answers to frequently asked questions.

NCBFAA RAC Co-Chair Mike Lahar participated in a panel at the Grocery Manufacturers (GMA) annual Science Forum, giving food importers the perspective of customs brokers on the upcoming FSVP requirements, which go into effect on May 30, 2017. During the panel presentation, Lahar called FSVP "a game changer." Lahar told the attendees:

To all of our members, partners and friends who joined us in New Orleans recently for 2017 NCBFAA Annual Conference, we thank you and hope you enjoyed a productive Conference experience. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year's Conference in Rancho Mirage, CA at the Westin Mission Hills from April 29 to May 3, 2018. For those unable to join us this year, we hope that you will consider joining us next year. The NCBFAA's next Conference event will be the Annual Government Affairs Conference, September 10-12, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. We hope very much to see all of our members and partners there.

FMC Acting Chairman Michael Khouri and three of his fellow Commissioners recently discussed a broad array of shipping policy issues with a delegation of Washington-based foreign diplomats who specialize in maritime matters.

Reminder - Adding Contact Information to your ACE Portal Account - All ACE Secure Data Portal Account Owners are reminded to add contact information to all the sub-accounts in your ACE portal account. Failure to add contact information to your account may prevent additional sub-tabs and portlets from being displayed within the different levels of your ACE Portal account view. It is also important to keep contact information up-to-date to avoid delays in communication between CBP and users from your account. For assistance adding or updating contact information in your ACE Portal account, please contact the ACE Accounts Service Desk at 1-866-530-4172 or you may send an email to: ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov.

In last week's article entitled, "NCBFAA ALERT: Critical Information for Your Food Importing Clients!" we overstated what FSVP Importer information you have to submit to ACE at the time of entry. You DO NOT have to provide the FDA food facility registration number for the FSVP Importer - just the name, contact info, and DUNS number.

Starting May 27, 2017, the FDA will begin implementing the FDA's Food Supplier Verification Program (FSVP).

On Friday, March 3, NCBFAA leaders spent two hours discussing areas for improving regulations with Acting FMC Chairman Michael Khouri. Meeting with the Acting Chairman were NCBFAA President Geoffrey Powell, NCBFAA Transportation Counsel Edward Greenberg, NCBFAA Legislative Representative Jon Kent, and NCBFAA Transportation Committee Chair Jan Fields.

ACE Portal Reminder: Data Available in ACE Reports - The ACE Secure Data Portal provides users the ability to run reports to capture import and export transaction data. ACE Portal users have the option to run standard canned reports, modify existing predefined reports, or create customized reports using ad-hoc capabilities available in the ACE reporting tool. Users can also select reports that capture data originating from ACE or the legacy ACS. ACE Report data is refreshed nightly, and hourly for a select group of reports.

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.