The rules for forced labor documentation will likely become as detailed as the rules on conflict mineral reporting, Angelica Tsakiridis, a senior manager at Deloitte, said July 1 at a virtual conference hosted by the American Importers and Exporters Association. CBP has been working on a rulemaking around forced labor for years (see 1805100026), but it remains to be seen whether documentation requirements will be included.
Large ocean carriers are continuing to use their influence to cause “record high freight rates” for American shipping companies, the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association said in a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission this month. The association also said that carriers are “frequently” gathering customer information “through their [ocean transportation intermediary] client and then engage in direct competition,” which violates the Shipping Act. “The negative economic impact is real for both OTIs and shippers alike,” the FCBFA said.
Large ocean carriers are continuing to use their influence to cause “record high freight rates” for American shipping companies, the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association said in a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission this month. The association also said that carriers are “frequently” gathering customer information “through their [ocean transportation intermediary] client and then engage in direct competition,” which violates the Shipping Act. “The negative economic impact is real for both OTIs and shippers alike,” the FCBFA said.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will not begin enforcing its sixth phase of enforcement of Lacey Act declaration requirements July 1, but the agency expects no further delays to implementation (see 2008190010), the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an emailed update June 28. APHIS will publish a Federal Register notice “any day” now announcing that enforcement will begin “on Aug. 1, or 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published,” the NCBFAA said, citing APHIS officials who spoke with an NCBFAA committee.
CBP should incorporate several types of bonds not currently included into the agency’s electronic eBond system, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee said in recommendations adopted at the COAC’s June 23 meeting. These bond types include Department of Transportation (DOT) bonds, International Trade Commission (ITC) bonds and intellectual property rights (IPR) bonds, the COAC said.
CBP will “soon” provide more information on who is participating in a task force of industry representatives and government officials developing a new customs legislative framework as part of CBP’s 21st Century Customs Framework, said Garrett Wright, who leads the effort as director of trade modernization at CBP’s Office of Trade.
Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, testifying at a Senate Homeland Security subcommittee hearing, said that in order to implement more withhold release orders, the Department of Homeland Security needs more resources to do investigations in the foreign countries where forced labor is alleged.
CBP posted multiple documents ahead of the June 23 Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) meeting:
The Treasury Department published its spring 2021 regulatory agenda for CBP. The agenda includes some details about a proposal to change USMCA rules for non-preferential origin determinations for merchandise imported from Canada or Mexico. The proposal was previously disclosed by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, within the Office of Management and Budget (see 2105120051), where it remains under review.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet remotely June 23, CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by June 22.