The White House issued a proclamation for a set of changes to the Generalized System of Preferences that take effect Nov. 1st.  Changes in the proclamation include the addition of fresh-cut roses to and removal of parboiled rice from the list of goods that are eligible for GSP.  The proclamation also suspends GSP benefits for certain products of Thailand effective Dec. 30, 2020.

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US Customs and Border Protection has blocked the imports of palm oil and palm oil products from Malaysia in the latest move by the agency targeting overseas forced labor practices.

The restrictions are a result of a year-long investigation into labor abuses.  CBP uncovered indicators of forced labor including physical and sexual violence, debt bondage, retention of identification documents and withholding of wages.  

Please be sure to read the newly published 2020 edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child or Forced Labor published by the Department of Labor for more information.

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Agents from CBP’s Air and Marine Operations rescued a man whose ultralight aircraft crashed, leaving him stranded and injured overnight on October 31st.  Del Rio Sector Border Patrol received word that a Pandale area woman reported her husband missing after he failed to return from an ultralight flight around 5 p.m., Oct. 30. Comstock Station Border Patrol agents began searching the area where the man was believed to be. Around 8 a.m. the following morning, an AMO helicopter crew spotted the wreckage about a mile from the pilot’s home. The Supplemental Aircrew Member (SAM) found the ultralight pilot pinned under the aircraft and suffering from hypothermia, dehydration, and a compound leg fracture. They provided aid by wrapping the injured man in a survival blanket and building a fire to provide warmth and he was later flown to a San Angelo hospital for treatment.  CBP, thank you for your heroism!

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection hosted its third virtual public meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) on October 7th, 2020.  CBP Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan briefly spoke about the agency’s significant accomplishments during fiscal year 2020, including CBP’s strict enforcement of goods made with forced labor.  He also introduced Diane Sabatino as CBP’s new deputy executive assistant commissioner of the Office of Field Operations.

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Section 301 product exclusion extensions announced in a notice applicable September 1, 2020 are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2020.  To see the federal register announcement and a list of product exclusions that will be expiring, please CLICK HERE.

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Customs and Border Protection require a minimum of 16 data elements on a commercial invoice for entry processing.  Please review the commercial invoice requirements for a full detailed description.

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As many people in the United States begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, CDC offers considerations to help protect individuals and their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19. Click HERE to read the full article on the CDC’s guidance to holiday celebrations.  

Happy holiday season to you and your family!  Stay Safe!

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Back to Basics Conference

Date:  February 22 - 26, 2021

Location:  VIRTUAL

The sessions will provide attendees with the important first step to exporting articles on the United States Munitions List (USML) and the Commerce Control List (CCL) and the associated defense services and technology. This webinar is ideal for newcomers (less than 5 years of experience) to exporting under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Attendees will become familiar with the various types of licenses, agreements, exemptions and exceptions and the requirements and conditions associated with each.

Register Here

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2020 CBP Trade Symposium - Rescheduled

Date:  March 23-24, 2021

Location: Anaheim, CA

CBP announced the rescheduled dates from the Trade Symposium that was originally scheduled for March 2020.  Save the date!

Register Here

Effective October 13, 2020, a new field on the steel import license form will be required to provide information about the country of melt and pour on all standard licenses from all countries.   There will also be a new license application site starting October 13.  This new application will not be available to the public until October 13, 2020.

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