International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 29 - May 3 in case they were missed.
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The Federal Maritime Commission’s proposal to extend exemptions for foreign-based nonvessel-operating common carriers that agree to negotiated rate agreements will boost economic efficiency and increase competition, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) said April 29. The NVOCC rate tariffs are a “throwback, a burdensome regulatory requirement that has no redeeming public benefit,” NCBFAA said in comments submitted on the proposed rule. The proposal was issued in February (see 13022514).
Customs brokers won't be required to fulfill planned continuing education requirements ahead of the next triennial report in 2015, meaning the earliest such requirements could be required is for the 2018 report, said Elena Ryan, director of Trade Facilitation and Administration at CBP, during a Webinar on the subject. Brokers would be required to certify 40 hours of continuing education every three years as part of their triennial reports under a CBP framework that the agency is considering, she said. The framework is part of CBP's 'Role of the Broker' effort, a review and update to regulations for customs brokers.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 22-26 in case they were missed.
CBP should reconsider and withdraw its proposal to establish procedures to suspend or revoke an assigned entry filer code, said the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America in comments to the agency. The comments came in response to CBP's notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow for due process when CBP seeks to suspend or revoke an entry filer codes and stop immediate delivery and remote location filing privileges (see 13022521). A number of companies and individual brokers also filed on the issue, voicing concern with the proposal.
U.S. radio stations face challenges improving their perception amid declines in on-air ads now versus before the Great Recession, and online and other initiatives with potential not fully realized, said some industry insiders we surveyed. They said an ongoing FCC auction of commercial FM-station construction permits points up the economic hardships of running stations in small markets, where many of the CPs are. Increasing competition in markets of all sizes from streaming media and online ad rates lower than stations charge per over-the-air listener are challenges, said executives and analysts. Some were optimistic that, between terrestrial and digital spots, ads will return to pre-recession levels. Others said that won’t happen.
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Coach’s trademark suit against Celco Customs Service isn’t over yet -- Central District of California Judge Margaret Morrow on April 22 vacated the judgment to allow time to consider issues related to the availability of evidence during the trial. The judge was ready to hear the arguments, but the clerk mistakenly entered judgment based on the jury verdict before she could, according to a court filing. The California-based customs broker is arguing that the jury verdict awarding Coach $8 million was improper. According to Celco, the suit was filed at such a late date that key evidence was no longer available.
Ralph Lauren Corporation agreed to pay more than $1.5 million in penalties and disgorgement to the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission on allegations the company bribed Argentinean government officials to obtain improper customs clearance of merchandise, the two federal agencies announced April 22.