The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is considering numerous changes to its current Ocean Transport Intermediary (OTI) regulations, it said in a proposed rule. The agency said it is seeking the new rules to streamline internal processes, improve transparency and remove unwarranted regulatory burdens. The FMC voted to begin the rulemaking earlier this month (see 13052014). Comments are due July 31.
Patricia Compres and Maria Bermudez opened a new customs firm, Advance Customs Brokers and Consulting, on May 1, the company said in a press release. Compres and Bermudez previously worked as principals of Customized Brokers, which was acquired by Crowley in 2009.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 20-24 in case they were missed.
CBP provided a list of processes that are currently or will be eventually handled by Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs) during a May 28 Webinar. CBP has opened seven CEEs so far. CBP has been providing some outreach on how customs brokers will be involved.
Send event information for inclusion in the International Trade Today Calendar toITTNews@warren-news.com.
Industry representatives commended the Senate customs reauthorization bill in its first formal hearing May 22, and said the bill’s provisions on intellectual property rights, the Automated Commercial Environment, the International Trade Data System and de minimis will go a long way towards facilitating trade. The bill -- S-662, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act -- was introduced by Senate Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, in March (see 13032906 for more on specific provisions in the bill).
CBP is requesting comments by July 22 for an existing information collection for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with a change to the burden hours.
A Texas customs broker pleaded guilty May 14 to entry of misclassified goods, smuggling, and making false statements, in connection with a scheme where he defrauded both CBP and his clients. According to court documents, Alejandro Santos of Laredo misidentified goods duty free, and then collected the full amount of duties actually owed to CBP from clients and pocketed the difference.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 13-17 in case they were missed.
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America urged the Senate Finance Committee to “move forward with all deliberate speed” in marking up the customs reauthorization bill, in a May 14 letter from NCBFAA to Committee leaders Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. The committee should hold hearings on the bill -- S-622, introduced in March -- making adjustments and marking it up, the letter said. “As the leading voice for customs brokers and their importer clients -- large, medium and small businesses -- you have our commitment to support your efforts to shape a balanced and forward looking bill.” See 13032906 for more on the Senate bill.