The World Customs Organization issued the following release on commercial trade and related matters:​​

Vietnam is increasing enforcement on customs brokers who commit violations due to the “many” recent violations, according to a July 16 report from Customs News, the country’s customs’ mouthpiece. The announcement came from the director of the Ha Noi Customs Department, who urged the country’s department of customs and Ministry of Finance to “promptly issue decisions to terminate operation for offending Customs brokers” and “improve the legal system to effectively manage these brokers,” the report said. Violations included “not reporting as required and using digital signatures for incorrect purposes,” Director Duong Phu Dong said, according to the report.

Non-brokers can now declare goods with the Philippines Bureau of Customs, according to a July 16 report from the Manila Bulletin, a Filipino newspaper. Before being able to declare goods, non-brokers must first file an application to obtain a Certificate of Accreditation from Philippines Customs, which is valid for one year, the report said. After the non-broker is accredited, he is “responsible for the accuracy of the goods declaration and for the payment of duties, taxes and other charges of the imported goods,” the report said, referencing a statement released by the Philippines. The non-brokers are also liable for violations under the Philippines' Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the report said.

Plans to reorganize International Traffic in Arms Regulations are ongoing despite what has been a lengthy legal review of the draft rules, a Directorate of Defense Trade Controls official said while speaking July 9 at the Bureau of Industry and Security annual export controls conference. Through a "series of rules we are trying to make the content of the ITAR more linear and more discernable," said Rob Hart, regulatory and multilateral affairs division chief in the Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy.

Wayne Wagner, senior manager for Brokerage Services at FedEx Logistics, died unexpectedly on July 8, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an email. Wagner was heavily involved in numerous industry groups and was a current board member of the NCBFAA. The NCBFAA said it will send out information about services for Wagner once finalized.

Wayne Wagner, senior manager for Brokerage Services at FedEx Logistics, died unexpectedly on July 8, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an email. Wagner was heavily involved in numerous industry groups and was a current board member of the NCBFAA. The NCBFAA said it will send out information about services for Wagner once finalized.

Facebook later this month will offer high-profile testimony to Congress, this time on the company’s entry into digital currency markets (see 1906190060). Calibra Head David Marcus is expected before the Senate Banking Committee on July 16 (see 1906190060) and the House Financial Services Committee on July 17.

Facebook later this month will offer high-profile testimony to Congress, this time on the company’s entry into digital currency markets (see 1906190060). Calibra Head David Marcus is expected before the Senate Banking Committee on July 16 (see 1906190060) and the House Financial Services Committee on July 17.

Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy will stop issuing certificates of origin for exports under free trade agreements with the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and Japan, and exporters must instead obtain authorized exporter status to obtain benefits under the agreements, according to a circular from the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations. Exporters with existing authorizations on the Registry of Eligible Products for Tariff Preferences for Obtaining Certificates of Origin under the agreements will be given an authorized exporter number. Exporters that want to export more types of goods must file new requests in the registry and certify compliance with origin requirements in the Mexican single window, said the circular, which was posted by Mexican consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. The new scheme will not apply for merchandise subject to some export quotas and some goods listed in an annex to the Mexico-Japan FTA.

Laos recently set new certificate requirements for non-resident importers and exporters that were set to take effect June 27, according to an alert from the law firm Tilleke & Gibbons. Under the new regulation, importers and exporters in Laos that have no registered business in the country will require a Trading Rights Certificate from the Department of Import and Export in order to sell and purchase goods. The goods can’t be sold directly to consumers in Laos, and must be sold through authorized distributors. To be eligible for a certificate, the importer or exporter must operate in accordance with the laws of their country of origin, have not committed an offense or be involved in criminal proceedings related to trade or financial matters, and must come from a World Trade Organization member country.