Data brokers “operate behind a veil of secrecy,” collecting and using consumer data for marketing purposes in ways “that are subject to far less statutory consumer protection,” concluded a yearlong data broker study Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., released as expected (WID Dec 18 p1) Wednesday (http://1.usa.gov/1bQgMnf). “Data brokers combine data points ... into startlingly detailed and intimate profiles of American consumers,” Rockefeller said. “Under current laws, we have no right to see these pictures of ourselves that these companies have created.” A committee aide said Rockefeller will “likely” follow the hearing with legislation aimed at bringing transparency to the data broker industry.
The 2014 annual user fee of $138 for each customs broker permit and national permit held by an individual, partnership, association, or corporation is due by Feb. 21, said CBP in a notice. 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 is requesting comments by Feb. 18 for an existing information collections related to customs brokers. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Dec. 9-13 in case they were missed.
An ongoing effort by CBP toward centralization of single transaction bond (STB) processing would eventually mean CBP ports would no longer be responsible for the manual review and approval of STBs, said Bruce Ingalls, director of the Revenue Divisions in the CBP Office of Administration. Ingalls and others discussed the planned changes during a National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America Webinar on Dec. 12. The update would allow the agency to better protect revenue through improved enforcement of STB requirements before cargo release, he said. The new system will allow STBs to be electronically transmitted to CBP as part of the entry process through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the agency previously said in June while outlining the idea at the Port of Boston (see 13070120).
The Digital Trade Act of 2013 would prevent or eliminate cross-border Internet data flow restrictions through the establishment of several negotiating principles aimed at addressing digital trade issues in future U.S. trade agreements, said Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a press release (here). Wyden and Senator John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the legislation on Dec. 10, according to the release. Through the negotiating principles, the legislation would also prohibit localization requirements for data and computing infrastructure and ensure laws affecting platform Internet sites are consistent with U.S. law, said the release.
CBP is continuing work toward a system of intellectual property rights enforcement that relies on interfacing with rights holders through its Centers of Excellence and Expertise, said John Clausen, a supervisory import specialist at the automotive and aerospace CEE in Detroit, during a Dec. 11 webinar hosted by the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Northern California and the Law Offices of George R. Tuttle. During the webinar, Clausen discussed other ways the trade community can ensure their intellectual property rights are enforced. Then George Tuttle III explained to anxious importers how to best ensure they don’t get caught in an inadvertent IPR violation.
The Digital Trade Act would prevent or eliminate cross-border Internet data flow restrictions through the establishment of several negotiating principles aimed at addressing digital trade issues in future U.S. trade agreements, said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. He and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., introduced the legislation Tuesday, they said a news release (http://1.usa.gov/1cBIbOo). They said the bill would prohibit localization requirements for data and computing infrastructure and ensure laws affecting websites are consistent with U.S. law. The Computer & Communications Industry Association and Verizon praised the bill.
CBP will open its test of the Participating Government Agency (PGA) Message Set in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on Jan. 13, the agency said in a notice. The two-year pilot marks a step toward the "single window" concept, meant to allow for importers to submit all required information to all necessary agencies at once. The pilot will only allow for the submission of certain Environmental Protection Agency (PGA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) import data to CBP.
Pilot Freight Services opened a U.S. customs brokerage, named Pilot Customs Brokerage, the transportation and logistics company said in a press release. The brokerage will allow Pilot "customers to rely on Pilot for every step in an international move—from pickup, air/ocean haul, and customs clearance to delivery—eliminating the need for third party involvement," the company said. "Pilot also offers customs brokerage as a stand-alone service for companies who are not current customers." Ilyse Dawicki, managing director of customer brokerage will run the operation, said Pilot. “Today’s importer wants timely clearances and 100 percent compliance,” said Dawicki. “Knowing that there is a licensed customs broker on site to audit for accuracy and that Pilot can clear freight arriving at any airport, seaport or container freight station, gives us even more credibility in the international freight arena.”