LAS VEGAS -- Fifth-generation wireless will be a complete change from earlier generations, technologists said at CES. The move to 5G and the IoT have been top wireless themes at the conference. Erik Ekudden, Ericsson chief technology officer, said 5G will be like having a fiber connection in your pocket. Ekudden and others predicted the U.S. will face tough competition to be the leader on 5G.
LAS VEGAS -- Fifth-generation wireless will be a complete change from earlier generations, technologists said at CES. The move to 5G and the IoT have been top wireless themes at the conference. Erik Ekudden, Ericsson chief technology officer, said 5G will be like having a fiber connection in your pocket. Ekudden and others predicted the U.S. will face tough competition to be the leader on 5G.
Nearly 400 companies and trade groups signed a Jan. 4 letter to congressional leadership asking for a quick renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. "A retroactive GSP renewal fits squarely on a Congressional agenda to pass legislation that benefits American families, workers, and companies," the group said in the letter. "The sooner it happens and tariffs paid already are refunded, the sooner we return our focus to making competitive American products, providing consumers with goods at affordable prices, and growing the U.S. economy."
CBP will deploy statement capabilities in ACE over the Jan. 6 weekend, making ACE the “system of record for all statements with the exception of Reconciliation statements,” said the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders in an emailed reminder. “CBP will work with filers to address any issues related to this deployment of Statements in ACE, and will provide support as necessary,” hosting a series of calls starting on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. and then continuing daily Jan. 8 through Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. (call in number 877-336-1828, access code 6124214). CBP recently posted its updated cutover plan for the ACE statements deployment (see 1712180042). Reconciliation statements will be rolled alongside the broader deployment of reconciliation itself in February (see 1712180042).
Sobel Shipping and Network Brokers International will merge, forming Sobel Network Shipping, the companies said in a news release. Among other offerings, Sobel Network Shipping will be a "nationally permitted Customs broker employing six highly experienced Customs brokers," it said.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for 2017 in case they were missed.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Dec. 18-22 in case they were missed.
A freight forwarder breached its fiduciary responsibility to pay customs duties and refund overpayments, even though it is not a broker licensed to perform customs business, the Northern Illinois U.S. District Court said in a decision issued Dec. 20. Pactrans did not have a fiduciary duty as a customs broker to Union Pacific to pay $5.8 million in antidumping and countervailing duties, but the power of attorney allowing Pactrans to act as Union Pacific’s agent mentioned duty payment, and the forwarder breached that fiduciary duty as an agent when it kept the money for itself, the court said.
Lawmakers recently introduced the following trade-related bills:
Congress posted the text of the Customs Business Fairness Act. Introduced by New York Reps. Peter King (R) and Gregory Meeks (D) on Dec. 14, H.R. 4657 would provide relief to customs brokers for duties paid on behalf of importers who declare bankruptcy (see 1712180053).