American Shipper reports that forwarders, brokers, and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) are getting caught in a costly squeeze that is hard to address due to an increase on government agencies putting a hold on cargo which leads to demurrage and detention charges. An NVOCC quoted in the article opines that it's one thing if an importer holds a container for an extra day or two after unloading, or if any shipper tries to use container-marshalling space as a free warehouse, but when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (the most exam-prone of agencies) decides to put a hold on a shipment, the delay is neither caused nor exacerbated by shippers or their intermediaries. The NVOCC adds that there should be some way for the trade industry to reverse the charges incurred, or get some kind of break, when it's caused by the government. (American Shipper Pub February 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a notice to its Web site announcing that it has extended until May 2, 2007 (from March 31, 2007) the deadline for "existing" Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) customs brokers to comply with the C-TPAT minimum security criteria for customs brokers.
According to an American Shipper editorial, the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) has been eclipsed by efforts to enhance cargo security since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The article adds that CBP did cross a major ACE milestone last year when it announced the first group of border crossings at which truckers would be required to file electronic instead of paper manifests, but full ACE implementation is still years down the road. (American Shipper Pub February 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
In December 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued its minimum security criteria for customs brokers already enrolled in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program, or for those wishing to join this voluntary supply chain security program. At that time, CBP also issued its implementation plan for the new C-TPAT minimum security criteria for customs brokers.
The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC)1 has given U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 37 recommendations2 regarding its 10+2 draft proposal to require additional advance data elements for maritime cargo.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a final rule, effective April 5, 2007, to implement the Mexican Cement Import Licensing System, which among other things, requires all importers of subject cement from Mexico to obtain an import license prior to completing their U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry summary.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a final rule, effective April 5, 2007, to implement the Mexican Cement Import Licensing System, which among other things, requires all importers of subject cement from Mexico to obtain an import license from the ITA prior to completing their U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) entry summary documentation.
Washington Trade Daily reports that the Bush Administration expects to formally notify Congress of its intent to sign a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Panama by the end of March, so that the FTA will be considered under current Trade Promotion Authority. The article adds that the text is currently undergoing the routine review known as the "legal scrub" and the FTA is expected to be signed in May or June. (WTD, dated 03/03/07, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a memorandum stating that it is retracting Textile Book Transmittal (TBT) 07-003 issued in February 7, 2007 concerning Reasonable Care for Accurate Entry Summary Data.
In U.S. v. Optrex America, Inc., the Court of International Trade considered the issue of 1592 negligence and the exercise of reasonable care, and concluded that there were genuine issues of material fact that required further adjudication.