Despite some growing industry concern that a West Coast port shutdown is imminent, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association dismissed the rumors and are adamant that negotiations continue. "The only people that know what's happening are the folks that are negotiating," said an ILWU spokesman. A PMA spokesman said he couldn't comment on the "speculation" and that "negotiations are ongoing, as are the ILWU slowdowns at ports up and down the West Coast." One executive who is familiar with the talks said a shutdown seems "extremely unlikely."
The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking importers, exporters and customs brokers for participation in a pilot program to test the filing of FWS-required documents through the Automated Commercial Environment. Like other agencies, FWS is required under the Obama administration’s single window initiative to transition its cargo release functions to ACE’s PGA message set by Nov. 1. At that time, ACE filers will be required to file FWS data electronically through ACE using the Automated Broker Interface, rather than using eDecs or paper, said the agency in a public bulletin issued Jan. 26 (here).
The purchaser of wooden bedroom furniture from China that was mistakenly listed by the customs broker as the importer of record (IOR) is still liable for the related antidumping duties, CBP said in a ruling (here). The Sept. 22 ruling, HQ H157616, found that the San Juan port of entry correctly held the listed importer of record liable for the entry. CBP said it agreed to consider the further review of protest because it "has not ruled on the issue of whether CBP improperly held the party shown as the importer of record on the entry documents liable for the entry."
The following customs broker licenses and all associated permits are revoked without prejudice for failure to file a triennial status report, said CBP in a notice (here).
The Food Safety and Inspection Service recently posted a letter (here) to importers with information on the agency’s transition to electronic filing of import inspection applications through the participating government agency (PGA) message set in the Automated Commercial Environment. FSIS issued a final rule in September (see 14091910), in part to facilitate its transition to electronic filing. Compliance with the rule is required by March 18. In the letter, FSIS said it is “important for importers and brokers to begin adopting and participating” in electronic import processes, “which will help ensure that FSIS meets the goals and deadlines” of the Obama administration’s single window initiative. “FSIS strongly encourages importers and brokers to work together closely in meeting FSIS import requirements,” it said.
The Court of International Trade on Jan. 21 ordered a Louisiana company to pay a $10,000 fine, plus interest, for transacting customs business without a license (here). The court found Freight Forwarder International (FFI) paid duties and fees on behalf of its clients. While the company had a licensed customs broker on staff, the company itself wasn’t licensed as a corporation, ruled CIT.
The Department of Homeland Security should continue to prioritize efforts toward completing the International Trade Data System, a group of trade associations said in a letter to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson (here). "Modernizing these government processes allows affected agencies to streamline operations and eliminate unnecessary time and costs from inefficient programs and procedures while protecting our borders," said the groups, including the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Alliance for Customs Modernization. "To ensure accountability, the appropriate metrics should be established and we recommend the creation of an implementation committee with equal representation from industry and government to move forward with 21st century solutions."
The Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations (COAC) for CBP will next meet on Feb. 11 in San Francisco, CBP said in a notice (here). Recommendations for CBP on regulating customs brokers' collection of importer bona fides information are among the agenda items planned for the meeting. A COAC group previously put off making recommendations on the subject while the agency developed a proposal on a new Form 5106 (see 13111801). CBP proposed revisions to the form in October (see 14100815).
Republican lawmakers are considering revisions to Trade Promotion Authority to broaden its appeal across the aisle in both chambers of Congress, and a TPA bill is likely to be introduced before the beginning of March, said the third-ranking Republican in the Senate, John Thune, R-S.D., on Jan. 7. A number of observers in recent days corroborated that prediction, saying TPA proponents on Capitol Hill want to get the legislative process moving for the bill before Congress takes up budget bills in March (see 1501040001).
The U.S. and Mexico will continue to work together to harmonize customs processing, and the two countries will also open three new border facilities in the near future, said a joint statement following a Jan. 6 meeting of the U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue (here). The White House released another fact sheet earlier in the day on bilateral economic and trade relations (see 1501060011). Both sides will continue to work to build the new facilities at the West Rail Bypass between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville; the Guadalupe-Tornillo Port of Entry on the border between the Chihuahua state in Mexico and Texas; and the Tijuana Airport Pedestrian Facility, said the joint statement. The U.S. and Mexico are also aiming for progress on the proposed Otay II border crossing in the Tijuana-San Diego border region, it said. Further, both sides plan to implement an air services agreement, brokered in November 2014, after each approval process is completed, the statement added.