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The CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Cargo Release pilot will be expanded to include ocean and rail modes of transportation, the agency said in a notice. The agency will seek new participants in the pilot program, which previously only applied to air transportation, and add three optional data elements for rail and sea entry filers, it said.
CBP should clarify how customs broker recordkeeping requirements apply to the storage of client data on third-party servers, potentially in a foreign country, said a broker in a ruling request dated Jan. 10. Such storage on remote servers, commonly referred to as "the cloud," has become increasingly common and CBP insight is necessary on the issue, said Robert Schott, president of Airschott, in the request. Cloud-based storage seems to be in "apparent conflict" with 19 CFR 111.24, he said.
The FTC and technology companies like Facebook and Microsoft will focus in 2014 on the proper use and education about big data, said their representatives during a National Cyber Security Alliance event Tuesday. “Whether motivated by the bottom line, connecting with customers, or enforcement and oversight,” said FTC Consumer Protection Bureau Director Jessica Rich, “we all have a shared responsibility because it’s all about empowering customers and enhancing trust.” She noted there are upcoming FTC workshops and studies on data practices. Microsoft Chief Privacy Officer Brendon Lynch said there is a need for “reasonable limits” on data use that are based on a better understanding of the context in which that data was provided. Facebook Chief Privacy Officer-Policy Erin Egan focused on the impetus for companies to inform users of their data use policies through multiple channels, not just a privacy policy heavy on legal jargon.
A committee that advises the Court of International Trade is beginning a preliminary look into the possibility of a “small claims” customs court, according to several industry lawyers. The CIT Advisory Committee on Rules recently created a subcommittee to look into the feasibility of the idea, which could make it cheaper and quicker for importers to challenge some CBP classification decisions that currently don’t merit the time and money required for litigation.
The China General Administration of Customs recently announced major changes to its valuation regulations that will take effect Feb. 1, according to reports from Ernst & Young (here) and Baker & McKenzie (here). The update is the first major overhaul of China’s valuation procedures since 2006, said Ernst & Young. Changes include the addition of a “circumstances of sale” test and modifications to the treatment of international freight and selling commissions. The new regulations also clarify procedures valuation of bonded goods for domestic sale.
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Todd Hoffman, previously area port director for Los Angeles/Long Beach, is now acting executive director of cargo and conveyance security at CBP headquarters, according to a recent presentation from CBP put on by Avalon Risk Management and the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America. Hoffman takes the spot from Dan Baldwin, who recently retired (see 14010315). John Landers, previously with the Port of Cincinnati was named director of manifest and conveyance security at CBP headquarters.
International Trade Today will periodically feature a Q&A with a customs industry professional. Our interviewee for this edition is Barbara Carman, Director of Compliance with BCB International, a privately held customs brokerage in Buffalo, N.Y. Carman has been with BCB International since 1995 Licensed in 1992, she has been in the customs brokerage industry for almost 30 years and is an active member of the NCBFFA and the International Compliance Professionals Association.
CBP is telling the trade community it will put manifest holds on any cargo at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach that does not have an Importer Security Filing (ISF) 48 hours before arrival, according to alerts sent out by A.N. Deringer (here) and OHL (here), among others. The new "enforcement posture" was effective Jan. 20, CBP told the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (here). The ISF program requires advance cargo information submission to CBP within 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto an ocean vessel going to the U.S. CBP begin increasing ISF enforcement efforts in July (see 13062613) and discussed the increased use of manifest holds by CBP's Los Angeles/Long Beach field office in October (see 13100810).