March 3-6 Trans Pacific Maritime conference, Long Beach Convention Center (here)
As technology rapidly changes the role of customs brokers, "importers and exporters will be increasingly dependent on brokers to provide data management, advice on valuation and classification, and to be the gateway to CBP programs," according to a new report on the role of brokers produced by the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders (PCC). The report was submitted to Deputy Commissioner David Aguilar as part of its discussion with CBP policymakers over recent months on issues on the Role of the Broker.
CBP posted an updated version of its notice announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be on Wednesday, April 3. The notice provides details about the materials being tested.
The International Freight Forwarders and Customs House Brokers Association of Atlanta changed its name to the Atlanta International Forwarders and Brokers Association to better reflect its location, according to a notice on the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America website.
CBP is seeking feedback from users of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs) and posted a link to a survey on the agency's website.
CBP posted a February version of its list of trade benefits for participants in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by industry segment. Specific benefits are listed for Customs brokers, importers, self-filers, sureties, carriers, trade account owners (TAOs), as well as all users with portal accounts, for (1) ACE Secure Data Portal, (2) Periodic Monthly Statement, (3) ACE Reports, (4) Cargo Release/Simplified Entry, (5) Entry Summary Filing (6) Document Image System, (7) Post Summary Corrections, (8) e-Manifest: Truck and (9) e-Manifest: Rail and Sea.
The planned budget cuts set to take effect March 1 would immediately force CBP to cut back on overtime and will likely result in longer wait times, the agency told industry stakeholders during a Feb. 22 conference call to discuss sequestration. According to the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA), while uncertainty remains on the details of how CBP's operations will continue following the cuts, the agency was anxious to provide its plans for international trade processing.
Feb. 25 State Department Shipping Coordinating Committee meeting, 12:30 a.m., Room 5-1224, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Building, Washington, D.C. (here)
CBP released a list of its near term priorities for development for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The agency document said work on three items previously mentioned to be priorities, the Participating Government Agency (PGA) Message Set, automated corrections/deletions, and initial entry summary edits, will begin with "agile pilots." CBP also listed some priorities planned for the second half of the year, including PGA message set integration and entry integration with in-bond.
The Board of Directors for the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) approved a revision to its recommended "Terms and Conditions of Service" document , the NCBFAA said. The NCBFAA replaced the wording of the "Company as agent" section of the document. The terms of service now say: