SAN ANTONIO -- Non-vessel operators (NVOs) should be working with their customers to minimize any surprises coming from the implementation of revised International Maritime Organization sulfur emissions standards in 2020, said transportation industry experts during a panel discussion at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's annual conference on April 16.

International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 8-12 in case they were missed.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- A lawsuit challenging the new CBP drawback regulations that limit drawback on goods subject to excise taxes (see 1812190011) is expected soon, Sandler Travis lawyer Michael Cerny said on a panel at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's annual conference on April 16. CBP is saying "the export of excise-tax-free goods is considered a drawback, therefore you can't get a second drawback of that through substitution," Cerny said. "This is going to be challenged," and he said he expects a lawsuit within "the next few weeks." The excise tax changes became effective on Feb. 19, 2019.

Mexico will seek to crack down on corruption, triple duty collections and greatly reduce maritime port and Northern border wait times under a recently announced reform plan, General Administrator of Customs Ricardo Peralta Saucedo said in an interview with Mexican news agency Notimex posted by the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations on April 15.

The Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) issued a circular April 12 correcting earlier information it disseminated on recent changes to the Mexican tariff schedule. The new circular says some tariff rate increases from 20 percent to 25 percent on goods of chapters 61, 62 and 63 will take effect May 6, not April 11 as it previously reported (see 1904110057), and remain in effect for 180 days. The circular was posted by the trade consultancy AJR Mexico.

The Mexico Secretariat of Economy issued two notices April 10 amending the Mexican tariff schedule and making related changes to the PROSEC sectoral promotion and IMMEX maquiladora programs. Notably, the notices reverse tariff cuts previously implemented for footwear, textiles and apparel in February. The changes were detailed in two circulars issued by the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) the following day and posted by Mexican consultancy AJR Foreign Trade.

CBP plans to start moving officers from the Northern Border and seaports to help deal with the influx of migrants at the Southern Border, the agency said during an April 11 call. "The current plans call for pulling agents from airports starting April 14 as replacements for officers concluding their 30-day shifts," according to a National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America description of remarks by CBP officials. "On April 28, the agency intends to pull replacements from the Northern Border, as well. If a third wave of replacements is needed in May, the agency will tap ocean ports for officers to fill in for the 545 officers on duty. Assuming the manpower needs remain constant, the plan calls for pulling 245 officers from the Southern Border and 300 officers from other locations," the NCBFAA said.

The widespread use of Electronic Cargo Security Devices (eCSDs) would create many new benefits to both private industry and the border enforcement agencies, logistics company Expeditors International said in April 11 comments in CBP's docket on creating a 21st Century Customs Framework. "Trade interests and Customs interests both would be well served if the same trade facilitation benefits currently given to CSDs were afforded to eCSDs," Expeditors said. Such devices would be one way to improve trade security within the e-commerce supply chain, the company said.

Near North Customs Brokers acquired two Canadian brokerages within the last month, the company said in an emailed news release. "Alliance Border Services of Delta, B.C., and ISL Customs Broker, a division of Island Shipping Ltd., of Nanaimo, B.C., were both acquired within weeks of each other" as part of a "strategic push to further strengthen its portfolio and reach across British Columbia," Near North said. Terms of the deals weren't released. All employees of Alliance Border Services and ISL employees joined Near North Customs, it said. ISL will continue to "function under its own name out of Nanaimo, a highly strategic location in the customs brokerage arena."

The Mexican Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit issued a notice April 10 amending its tax regulations related to the labeling of alcoholic beverages. According to a circular issued by the Confederation of Mexican Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM), among the changes are new provisions on the digital printing of labels that must be adhered to alcoholic beverages, as well as on how to obtain them. The amended regulations also now include provisions on circumstances under which labelers may be prohibited from using digitally printed labels.