CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that an ACE Information Seminar will be held on March 25, 2009 in Sterling, VA. The cost is $55 for Washington Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association (WCBFFA) members and $75.00 for non-members. CBP's CSMS message contains attachments with the seminar flyer and registration form. (CSMS 09-000093, dated 02/19/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17480&page=&srch_argv=09-000093&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2008.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message which announces that two rules in the Batch & Block Control Chapter of the ACE ABI CATAIR1 must soon be adhered to for all messages for six ABI application identifiers, or fatal errors will result.
In December 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a frequently asked questions document regarding the submission of the licensed customs broker triennial status report and fee. CBP's FAQ stated that the triennial status report and the corresponding fee may be filed from January 2, 2009 through February 28, 2009 to be considered timely.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS regarding the new Participating Government Agencies Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter that it recently posted to its Web site.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously announced that the next customs broker license examination will be held on Monday, Monday, April 6, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that it will begin implementing Automated Commercial Environment initial entry summary capabilities (ESAR A2.2) in Spring 2009 for the filing and processing of formal (type 01) and informal (type 11) entry summaries.
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America issued on February 11, 2009 an email notice stating that NCBFAA subject matter experts (SMEs) are working with senior managers at U.S. Customs and Border Protection to answer additional questions on the recent startup of the Importer Security Filing (ISF). In response to forwarded questions (additional questions can be sent to eid@ncbfaa.org ), NCBFAA states that (partial list):
On January 8, 2009, Representative Cuellar (D) introduced the Customs Business Fairness Act of 2009 (Act, H.R. 313) to amend the U.S. bankruptcy law (Title 11, U.S. Code) to establish a priority for the payment of certain claims for import duties, etc. paid to the U.S. by licensed Customs brokers and sureties on behalf of a debtor.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a press release announcing that on February 10, 2009 the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement decided to withdraw Amendment No. 011223-043, which would have provided authority for TSA members to discuss cost savings and more efficient use of vessel and equipment assets and networks.