The Treasury Department published its fall 2019 regulatory agenda for CBP. The agenda includes a new rulemaking that would amend CBP's regulations to get rid of the “onerous and inefficient paper-based bond application and approval processes," it said. The agency will try to issue a proposed rulemaking rule by March next year, it said. "Moving forward, the proposed amendments would implement the successful National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test for electronic bonds ('eBonds')," it said. "The proposed amendments would require all bonds to be filed by the sureties using an electronic data interchange (EDI) or e-mail."
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A recent Federal Maritime Commission proposed rule would lead to a much fairer enforcement process for alleged violations of the Shipping Act, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in comments submitted to the agency. The proposal would create a process for notifying a target of an investigation and allowing it to respond, and ensure that FMC commissioners see the target’s statement before deciding how to proceed. “As the members of the Commission would necessarily be involved at the outset, it seems more likely that potential enforcement cases would focus on issues that have a material adverse effect on trade or competition and minimize the initiation of cases that are based on relatively minor or technical infringements of regulations,” the NCBFAA said. The proposal would also make it “less likely that there would be an anecdotal approach to enforcement where only [the Bureau of Enforcement] and a respondent know what the issues in any prosecution actually involved.” But FMC should go beyond its proposal and create penalty and mitigation guidelines for Shipping Act violations, the trade group said.
A recent Federal Maritime Commission proposed rule would lead to a much fairer enforcement process for alleged violations of the Shipping Act, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in comments submitted to the agency. The proposal would create a process for notifying a target of an investigation and allowing it to respond, and ensure that FMC commissioners see the target’s statement before deciding how to proceed. “As the members of the Commission would necessarily be involved at the outset, it seems more likely that potential enforcement cases would focus on issues that have a material adverse effect on trade or competition and minimize the initiation of cases that are based on relatively minor or technical infringements of regulations,” the NCBFAA said. The proposal would also make it “less likely that there would be an anecdotal approach to enforcement where only [the Bureau of Enforcement] and a respondent know what the issues in any prosecution actually involved.” But FMC should go beyond its proposal and create penalty and mitigation guidelines for Shipping Act violations, the trade group said.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m., in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Nov. 4-8 in case they were missed.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m., in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) signed a joint strategy agreement on Oct. 29, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. The groups agreed to "promote data harmonization and alignment" exchange implementation information about the revised NAFTA and "foster increased compliance with international trade agreements through shared communication with trade chain partners." The associations also agreed to "enhance and raise awareness of the role of customs brokers, including exploration of harmonization of [Authorized Economic Organization (AEO)]/trusted trader programs and mutual recognition arrangements." Broker training and professional development standards will be another goal for the groups in 2020.
CBP should take action to improve issues of inadequate desk space, exam formats and question structures, among other things, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an Oct. 31 letter to the agency. The NCBFAA sent the letter after soliciting comments from those who took the October customs broker license exam, it said. The lack of desk space was the more frequent complaint, due the required use of the printed Harmonized Tariff Schedules and the Customs Regulations. "There can be no doubt that the space limitation had a material adverse effect on the outcome of the examination," the NCBFAA said. "This issue must be remedied for future examinations." CBP should also work with the proctoring company to "create a uniform testing experience in an optimal testing environment," the NCBFAA said. CBP didn't immediately comment.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) signed a joint strategy agreement on Oct. 29, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. The groups agreed to "promote data harmonization and alignment" exchange implementation information about the revised NAFTA and "foster increased compliance with international trade agreements through shared communication with trade chain partners." The associations also agreed to "enhance and raise awareness of the role of customs brokers, including exploration of harmonization of [Authorized Economic Organization (AEO)]/trusted trader programs and mutual recognition arrangements." Broker training and professional development standards will be another goal for the groups in 2020.
The Agricultural Marketing Service is working toward mandatory ACE electronic filing requirements for organic food imports, according to an emailed update from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. An upcoming proposed rule will “require a new electronic import certification to be transmitted through ACE for organic food or feed for humans and animals,” the NCBFAA said. Pilot testing of the new requirements is expected to begin in early 2020, it said.