International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for 2014 in case they were missed.
CBP's proposed changes to its Importer ID Input Record (Form 5106) threaten to slow the flow of goods when using a non-resident Importer of Record (NRIOR), said the Northern Border Customs Brokers Association (NBCBA) in comments to CBP on the proposal. The new requirements would especially cause problems for Canadian NRIORs by requiring address descriptions, and any such changes should follow consultation with Canada, the group said. The American Apparel and Footwear Association also said it is concerned with the changes and asked the agency to withdraw the proposal.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Dec. 15-19 in case they were missed.
The Food and Drug Administration’s revised Foreign Supplier Verification Program proposal is a step in the right direction, but there are still ambiguous and burdensome requirements that need to be ironed out, according to several trade associations in comments on FDA’s September supplemental proposed rule. Several sets of comments, including from the Association of American Exporters and Importers, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, and the Cheese Importers Association of America, continued to highlight identification of the “FSVP Importer” tasked with complying with FSVP as a main concern.
The April customs broker’s license examination is scheduled for Monday, April 13, as expected (1412080025), said CBP in an official notice (here). While usually scheduled for the first Monday in April, the first Monday coincides with the observance of the religious holiday of Passover, said CBP. The exam typically consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, with a score of 75 percent required to pass.
The 2015 annual user fee of $138 for each customs broker district permit and national permit held by an individual, partnership, association, or corporation is due by Feb. 27, said CBP in a notice (here). According to 19 CFR 111.96(c), this user fee is payable for each calendar year at the port through which the broker was issued a permit or at a port referred to in 19 CFR 111.19(c) in the case of a national permit. Note that 19 CFR 111.96(c) also states that if a broker fails to pay the annual user fee by the published due date, the appropriate port director will notify the broker in writing of the failure to pay and will revoke the permit to operate. That notice will constitute revocation of the permit. CBP anticipates "that for subsequent years, the annual user fee for customs brokers will be due on the last business day of February of each year," it said.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske named Todd Owen, previously director of field operations in Los Angeles, to assistant commissioner in the Office of Field Operations, said the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America in an email. John Wagner, previously the acting assistant commissioner in the OFO, was named deputy assistant commissioner in the OFO, said the NCBFAA. CBP didn't return a request for comment. The "NCBFAA is very excited with these appointments as both individuals bring vast experience in their prior positions for both enforcement and trade facilitation," it said.
Some 34 percent of those who took the October 2014 customs broker license exam passed the test, said Paula Connelly, a Boston-area customs lawyer who teaches an exam preparation class. Connelly said she learned of the passage rate through her participation in a CBP-led broker exam working group. CBP didn't comment.
A proposed Federal Maritime Commission rulemaking on Ocean Transport Intermediaries still has issues despite some heavy revisions in response to industry concerns, said the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) in comments (here). The FMC requested comments on the revised notice of proposed rulemaking in October (see 14100916). While the NCBFAA said it appreciated that the FMC removed a number of the most troubling part of the previous proposal, it "still has a number of concerns."
The Mexican government recently announced a series of measures on the importation of textiles and apparel, including registration and reporting requirements, that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2015. At a press conference held in Mexico City on Dec. 3, Mexican officials said the moves will stem fraud and undervaluation of textile and apparel imports and improve the competitiveness of Mexican industry (here).