CBP should develop a new electronic platform incorporating its e-recordation system to improve intellectual property rights enforcement through better targeting and communication, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee said in recommendations adopted at the April 15 COAC meeting.
CBP posted multiple documents ahead of the April 15 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting:
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America seeks clarification from CBP on a number of issues related to implementation of a ban on exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) recently announced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (see 2004080018), according to an NCBFAA letter dated April 10. The letter includes questions on the scope of the FEMA notice, including the application of the ban to bonded transactions like warehouse withdrawals and goods in foreign-trade zones, as well as procedures for handling exports of covered PPE, such as processes for requesting FEMA authorization and contact information for FEMA. The letter also requests information on forwarder responsibilities under the policy and forwarder liability for detained PPE shipments. At least one of the questions, on whether the ban applies to exports to Canada and Mexico, was answered by an internal CBP memo dated April 9 that said exports to the two countries are exempt (see 2004090069).
The United Arab Emirates introduced several measures to ease the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on trade and investment, according to an April 7 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The measures include a refund of 1% of the customary 5% customs duty charged to imported goods for sale in the UAE; this applies to imports between March 15 and June 30, 2020. The UAE also introduced an exemption from the regular (starting March 24) the requirement to pay a $13,600 cash deposit on customs brokering activities, the report said, and fees imposed for submitting customs documents will be reduced by 90%. A hold has been put on customs audits, and social distancing measures have been introduced in free-trade zone application processing.
Recently announced restrictions on exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) only apply to commercial shipments, and exports to Canada and Mexico are exempt from the policy, said CBP in a memo dated April 9. The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America included the memo in an April 9 email on COVID-19 developments.
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The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America plans to combine its annual conference and the government affairs conference that already had been set for Sept. 13-15, in Washington, D.C., the NCBFAA said in an email. The NCBFAA annual conference was previously planned for this month in Las Vegas. The Western Cargo Conference was also rescheduled, according to its website. That event is now planned for Oct. 1-4 in Coronado, California.
The Canada Border Services Agency should suspend customs liability during the period of deferred customs duties, the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers said in an announcement posted on the Farrow blog. “These are unprecedented times, and the normal and beneficial business practices that underpin the customs broker-client financial relationship now have the potential to negatively impact the intended positive effects of deferral,” it said. “For example, brokers who hold release prior to payment security on behalf of importers may require deposits or payments to mitigate their financial risk.” The CSCB “also requested that there be no claims against importer bonds during this time,” it said. “We believe this gives importers the best chance of benefiting from the government’s decision on deferral in the next three months and beyond, supporting their viability. It also supports customs brokers and the valuable services they provide not only in the context of the accounting and payment process, but for release of goods at a time when trade facilitation is critical to recovery.”
Dubai Customs introduced several temporary measures to help ease pressure on companies impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, according to a March 26 KPMG post. The agency will refund 1% of the customs duty imposed on certain imported goods sold locally and exempt berthing fees for arrivals and departures for certain vessels registered at Dubai's Al Hamriyah Port between March 15 and June 30. It will also revoke the “bank or cash guarantee required to undertake customs broking activities” and will refund guarantees already submitted by brokers and clearing companies.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet April 15, remotely, beginning at 1 p.m., CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by April 14.