The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m., in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) signed a joint strategy agreement on Oct. 29, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. The groups agreed to "promote data harmonization and alignment" exchange implementation information about the revised NAFTA and "foster increased compliance with international trade agreements through shared communication with trade chain partners." The associations also agreed to "enhance and raise awareness of the role of customs brokers, including exploration of harmonization of [Authorized Economic Organization (AEO)]/trusted trader programs and mutual recognition arrangements." Broker training and professional development standards will be another goal for the groups in 2020.
CBP should take action to improve issues of inadequate desk space, exam formats and question structures, among other things, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an Oct. 31 letter to the agency. The NCBFAA sent the letter after soliciting comments from those who took the October customs broker license exam, it said. The lack of desk space was the more frequent complaint, due the required use of the printed Harmonized Tariff Schedules and the Customs Regulations. "There can be no doubt that the space limitation had a material adverse effect on the outcome of the examination," the NCBFAA said. "This issue must be remedied for future examinations." CBP should also work with the proctoring company to "create a uniform testing experience in an optimal testing environment," the NCBFAA said. CBP didn't immediately comment.
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) signed a joint strategy agreement on Oct. 29, the NCBFAA said in an email to members. The groups agreed to "promote data harmonization and alignment" exchange implementation information about the revised NAFTA and "foster increased compliance with international trade agreements through shared communication with trade chain partners." The associations also agreed to "enhance and raise awareness of the role of customs brokers, including exploration of harmonization of [Authorized Economic Organization (AEO)]/trusted trader programs and mutual recognition arrangements." Broker training and professional development standards will be another goal for the groups in 2020.
The Agricultural Marketing Service is working toward mandatory ACE electronic filing requirements for organic food imports, according to an emailed update from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. An upcoming proposed rule will “require a new electronic import certification to be transmitted through ACE for organic food or feed for humans and animals,” the NCBFAA said. Pilot testing of the new requirements is expected to begin in early 2020, it said.
Some who took the Oct. 17 customs broker exam "logged into their exam providers account and saw a ‘Pass/Fail’ status on their individual profiles" on Oct. 21, CBP said in a CSMS message. "These results are not official and were quickly removed from the exam provider website." Only CBP issues exam results and official letters will be sent in about three weeks, the agency said.
CBP's proposed rule to impose new importer verification requirements on brokers would transfer the government's oversight of importers on to brokers, FedEx said in comments to CBP on the proposal (see 1908130031). "CBP, as a law enforcement agency, should be the party primarily charged with verifying importer identity for security purposes," the company said. CBP should instead implement Section 114 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which called on CBP "to develop criteria that an importer must meet in order to obtain an" Importer of Record number, FedEx said.
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- CBP has “kicked off” an industry task force on customs broker continuing education requirements, and is committed to 2020 “being the year that we will tackle continuing education together” with the trade community, said Cynthia Whittenburg, deputy executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s trade office, at the Western Cargo Conference (Wesccon) on Oct. 11.
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Brokers may still have a role in a blockchain world, but the profession could be different, and brokers need a seat at the table if they’re going to successfully transition, said government and industry officials during a panel discussion at the Western Cargo Conference (Wesccon) on Oct. 11.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Oct. 7-11 in case they were missed.