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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has moved to reduce the exposure to formaldehyde vapors from certain wood products produced domestically or imported into the United States. The agency worked with the California Air Resources Board to ensure that the final national rule is consistent with California requirements for composite wood products. The EPA is also setting testing requirements to make sure that products comply with the standards set and to affirm eligibility requirements for third party certifiers. The new rule includes set exceptions for products made with ultra-low formaldehyde or no-added formaldehyde resins.
From the EPA:
“We are carrying out important measures laid out by Congress to protect the public from harmful exposure of this widely used chemical found in homes and workplaces," said Jim Jones, EPA’s assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “We have worked with the state of California as a partner to help ensure consistency in our requirements. The new rule will level the playing field for domestic manufacturers who have a high rate of compliance with the California standard and will ensure that imported products not subject to California’s requirements will meet the new standard and thus, not contain dangerous formaldehyde vapors.”
The FDA has made amendments to the registration of food facilities. A final rule was issued that states new provisions have been added to the current rules, in order to codify specific provisions of FSMA that were self-implementing and effective upon enactment of FSMA. These provisions include that one must require an email address for registration, required renewal of registration every two years, and that all food facility registrations must contain an assurance that the FDA will be permitted to inspect the facility at the times and in the manner permitted by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
From the FDA:
"Food facilities that manufacture/process, pack or hold food for consumption in the United States are required to register with the FDA, and this final rule adds new provisions to the current regulations to codify certain provisions of FSMA that were self-implementing and effective upon enactment of FSMA. Those provisions include the requirement of an email address for registration, required renewal of registration every two years, and that all food facility registrations must contain an assurance that the FDA will be permitted to inspect the facility at the times and in the manner permitted by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act."
Washington, DC - During the ministerial session, held in March, the Ministers held in-depth discussions on Brazil and US respective approaches to trade and investment negotiations, which provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange information and identify points of convergence.
Brazil is the United States’ 12th largest goods trading partner, and two-way goods trade was $59 billion in 2015. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Brazil was $4.3 billion in 2015. Two-way goods and services trade totaled approximately $95 billion in 2015.
Minister Mauro Vieira highlighted the importance of the U.S. market for Brazilian exports, in particular of manufactured goods, which "clearly demonstrate the competitiveness of the Brazilian industry and the integration of value chains between our two countries." Industrial goods answered for over 60% of our 2015 exports to the U.S. – a noted improvement vis-à-vis the 53% reached in 2014. The Minister stressed that "notwithstanding the importance of traditional agriculture exports to the United States – which we certainly like to expand significantly, with more exports of meat, sugar and fruits, for instance – our first three main exports to the US are Machinery, Airplanes, and Iron and Steel products."
“The United States and Brazil have a large and dynamic trade and investment relationship, and we have the potential to do even more together to stimulate economic growth and create more jobs in both our countries,” Ambassador Froman stated.
The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Brasília in 2017.
Sources:
(Source One no longer available).
Brasilia (June 14th, 2016) - In a meeting with the US ambassador, Liliana Ayalde, the Brazilian Minister of Industry, Trade and Services, Marcos Pereira affirmed interests in advancing business relationships.
The meeting purpose was to ensure the continuity and strengthening of trade relations between the two countries, especially through the MDIC-DoC dialogue (Department of Commerce) and the US-Brazil CEO Forum.
This dialogue was created in 2006 and relaunched in 2010 and has been one of the priority mechanisms MDIC the last four years, which allows for cooperation in economic and commercial matters, with positive results through various exchanges, technical visits and semi-annual meetings.
The Minister, also expressed to the ambassador the willingness to carry out the edition 2016 of the CEO Forum (Brazil-US Forum of Senior Managers Companies), which had been canceled. Formed by twelve large companies in each country, the Forum, created in 2007, aims to facilitate discussions and make recommendations for economic development. The American presidential election could derail this year's edition.
Liliana highlighted the breadth and long-lived partnership between the two countries, with about $ 100 billion in trade, and interest in further advance. Minister Marcos Pereira gave a brief account of the current political situation in the country with an impeachment process in progress, but assured that the Brazilian institutions are strong and work well. "Although still interim, the government works as if it were definitive," he said.
Sources:
C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) has deployed phase II of portal 2.0. This deployment includes enhancements to the account management tool, as well as a new format for the security profile which will allow C-TPAT partners with multiple accounts to potentially manage these accounts jointly by merging C-TPAT security models.
From the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website:
"As the C-TPAT Portal 2.0 project transitions into Phase II, the security profile has been rebuilt into a comprehensive criteria-by-criteria format, complete with the ability to add evidence of implementation at each criteria statement for review. Help text is available to clarify the criteria statements. The reformatted security profile eases the Annual Review process by allowing C-TPAT Partners to change existing answers to criteria statements, as opposed to the old appending style, as it creates new copies of the security profile per criteria upon approval by the SCSS. Transition to the updated Security Profile format requires ALL C-TPAT Partners to complete a new security profile at the next annual review subsequent to Phase II deployment. C-TPAT displays the old version to all Partners in the C-TPAT Partner Document Library for reference as a .PDF document to facilitate completion of the reformatted version."
"A main tenet of Portal 2.0 is to facilitate more effective account management through combining multiple Trade Accounts into a single Trade Organization. In addition, it will also be possible in the future to merge multiple C-TPAT accounts into a single Security Model, if accounts are managed under the same trade account and follow the same security policies and procedures."
Big changes sometimes go unnoticed! On February 24, 2016, President Obama signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (Pub. L. No. 114-125) ("TFTEA") into law. Section 904 of the TFTEA amends Chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States ("HTSUS") and became effective on April 24, 2016. Subsection (b) covers amendments to Heading 9801 of the HTSUS and provides:
(b) Modification of Provisions Relating to Returned Property
(1) In General - The article description for heading 9801.00.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting after "exported" the following: ", or any other products when returned within 3 years after having been exported".
In essence, this amendment is intended to remove the requirement that goods entered under Heading 9801 be of U.S. origin if they are imported back into the U.S. within 3 years of their date of export from the U.S. In other words, goods of ANY origin can now claim duty-free entry under Heading 9801 as "U.S. Goods Returned" provided the 3-year deadline is met. What kind of documentary requirements will U.S. Customs and Border Protection require to support the new 9801 claims? The agency has yet to provide any kind of internal guidance to the ports of entry on this and related issues, so stay tuned. We'll update you in the next newsletter.
Article reprinted with permission on behalf of; The Pike Law Firm, P.C. website: pikeinfo@thepikelawfirm.com
On May 20, 2016 the FDA took a major step in ensuring consumers have better nutritional information for most packaged food sold in the United States. The updated label requirements make improvements to this valuable resource so that consumers can make a more informed decision of food choices.
From the original article:
“I am thrilled that the FDA has finalized a new and improved Nutrition Facts label that will be on food products nationwide,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “This is going to make a real difference in providing families across the country the information they need to make healthy choices.”
The final rule requires that importers complete risk assessment activities in order to make certain that food imported into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. safety standards.
From the original article:
"The final rule requires that importers perform certain risk-based activities to verify that food imported into the United States has been produced in a manner that meets applicable U.S. safety standards. This rule is the product of a significant level of outreach by the FDA to industry, consumer groups, the agency’s federal, state, local, tribal and international regulatory counterparts, academia and other stakeholders. The FDA first proposed this rule in July 2013."
The Department of Homeland Security recently prolonged the deadline "for complying with a congressionally mandated requirement of 100 percent scanning of U.S.-bound maritime cargo containers," stated an article by the Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report. However, DHS is also requesting new ideas on how to meet the requirement.
From the original article:
"The SAFE Port Act of 2006 requires all maritime cargo containers admitted into the U.S. to be scanned through non-intrusive inspection and radiation detection equipment in a foreign port prior to being loaded on a U.S.-bound ship. The original deadline for achieving this goal was July 1, 2012, but DHS has now invoked three successive two-year waivers, the latest running through 2018. Officials have said compliance is virtually impossible with available resources and technology and conflicts with the department’s general approach to risk management, which seeks to focus scarce inspection resources on the highest-risk containers. Most recently, DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson told Congress in May 2014 that the department’s 'ability to fully comply with this unfunded mandate of 100 per cent scanning, even in the long term, is highly improbable, hugely expensive and, in our judgment, not the best use of taxpayer resources to meet this country's port security and homeland security needs.'"
"The world’s largest business organization, the International Chamber of Commerce has welcomed Brazil’s ratification of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)—an agreement which was forged under the leadership of the Brazilian head of the WTO Roberto Azevedo," stated an article by the ICC.
Brazil will become the 72nd country to affirm this landmark agreement, which will speed global commerce by cutting red-tape at borders-and third country in South America after Guyana and Paraguay.
A study by the Getulio Vargas Foundation for CNI offers that Brazilian GDP could increase by US $24 billion with the addition of trade facilitation measures. "Globally the WTO estimates that the TFA will reduce trade costs by more than 14% globally-creating an estimated 20 million jobs globally," stated the article.
"The ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the recently launched National Export Plan send a strong signal of Brazil's commitment to put international trade at the heart of its economic recovery," said Daniel Feffer, Chair of ICC Brazil.
Applauding this breakthrough development for trade facilitation, ICC Secretary General John Danilovich said: "Implementing the TFA gives Brazil, once one of the world's fastest growing emerging market, an opportunity to reboot its economy by creating significant export diversification gains and reducing trade costs."
"The Agreement will enter into force global when two-thirds of the WTO's [110] members ratify the deal," the article stated.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it would begin tighter enforcement of either late or inaccurate Importer Security Filings (ISF) beginning June 30, 2016. Non-compliant Importer Security Filings could result in an increase in penalties or cargo holds for importers at ports of entry. (CSMS #14-000283)
Updated Importer Security Filing (ISF) Enforcement
CBP recently issued a CSMS for updated Importer Security Filing (ISF) Enforcement.
This new phase of ISF enforcement applies to ISF-10 shipments, not ISF-5, for ocean shipments on the water on or after June 30, 2016.
CBP-HQ provided new guidance to the ports to issue any ISF claims within 90 days of discovering the violation.
Although CBP ports will no longer be required to take a "three-strikes" approach before issuing liquidated damage (LD) claims or send these claims to CBP-HQ for review, each port will continue to have authority to manage their local enforcement posture as they do today.
Per existing policy, CBP will continue to focus on "significantly" late ISF shipments that preclude or compromise CBP's ability to target the cargo before it arrives in the U.S. For example, West Coast ports have longer ocean voyages so "significantly" late may be ISFs that are not filed within 72 hours to 5 days prior to arrival of the cargo in the U.S. Other ports with shorter voyages may focus on 24 hours prior to vessel departure (what the law requires).
We also expect CBP to focus on repeat violators which can include ISF shipments that are inaccurate because there is no bill of lading match, and/or the match was not made timely and compromised CBP's targeting prior to the cargo's arrival in the U.S.
Although CBP delayed these enforcement changes for over a year, the webinar that CBP hosted last May still provides relevant information. We encourage you to view the CBP Webinar Recording, Presentation, Transcript, and Q&A .
"The Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is increasing the maximum amount of the civil monetary penalties it assesses for violation of certain provisions of the Arm Export Control Act," stated an article by the Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report. The updated amounts will apply to all penalties determined after Aug. 1st regardless of when the violation occurred.
To see the listing of the provisions affected and to read more about this click here
Have You Received an Email Offering a Solution to Avoid Anti-Dumping Duties? If So, It Could Be a Scam.
Sample text of scam email:
Dear purchasing manager,
We have been exporting for many years from china, especially USA and Canada. If you need this product, please tell me, so I can quote you.
Please do not worry about dumping duties. This order will be operated through the intermediary trade. We will send the goods to a third country; the forwarder will repack our goods for export with other company title from that third country. It is a legit business.
Contact Us,
Sales Representative
Customs & Border Protection is asking that these scams are reported at this link.
Our very own Peris Githongo-Johnson of the JAS Compliance Team graduated from Strayer University on May 14th, 2016 with a bachelor degree in International Business (minor in accounting)!
Please join us in congratulating her on a job well done!
The NCBFAA Conference provides a setting for the nation’s leading customs brokers, freight forwarders, NVOCC’s, and service providers to gather and update themselves on industry developments. NCBFAA members also learn from subject matter experts how to overcome industry challenges! As the conference came to an end, Commissioner Kerlikowske provided remarks on his participation in another successful annual conference! This year JAS Forwarding had four attendees’ to participate in the conference.
"In Fiscal Year 2015, CBP processed more than 26 million imported cargo containers, along with $1.5 trillion of U.S. exported goods. We also collected approximately $46 billion in duties, taxes, and other fees – this highest amount collected in the past five years. And technology – which is spurring “e-Commerce,” for example – is radically changing the face of the global supply chain, increasing its complexity and challenging all of us to stay ahead of the curve. We’re using technology to cope with these changes, and the Automated Commercial Environment is a great example," stated Commissioner Kerlikowske.
The consequences of evading AD duty can be devastating to your company, not only financially but also publicly. Recently, a U.S. company agreed to pay $15 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claim Act (FCA), by evading antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China.
"A U.S. company has agreed to pay $15 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by engaging in a years-long scheme to evade antidumping duties on wooden bedroom furniture imported from China through misclassification, according to an April 27 press release from the Department of Justice. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske said that under the recently enacted Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act “CBP will likely see an increase in these types of settlements as the streamlined processes take effect concerning allegations of duty evasion,” stated the Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report.
On April 27, the House of Representatives approved a 415-2 vote a bill (H.R. 4923) to reform the process of developing and enacting miscellaneous trade bills which suspend duties on imported products for which there is inadequate domestic production and availability.
A statement by the Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report:
"Under H.R. 4923, the MTB process would begin with petitions submitted by U.S. businesses to the International Trade Commission rather than via legislation introduced by members of Congress. The ITC would analyze these petitions, taking into account comments received from the public and the White House, and then issue a public report to Congress with its recommendations regarding those products that meet MTB standards. Ways and Means would then examine the ITC’s recommendations and draft an MTB, which could exclude products recommended by the ITC but could not add products that were not recommended. The committee would have to certify that there are no spending earmarks and publish a list of any limited tariff benefits (tax cuts that benefit ten or fewer businesses). The House and Senate would then consider the MTB within existing rules."
A historic rule was finalized today by the U.S Food and Drug Administration to extend its authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, and pipe tobacco, just to name a few. This rule allows FDA to improve public health and protect future generations from the dangers of tobacco use.
“We have more to do to help protect Americans from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine, especially our youth. As cigarette smoking among those under 18 has fallen, the use of other nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, has taken a drastic leap. All of this is creating a new generation of Americans who are at risk of addiction,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell. “Today’s announcement is an important step in the fight for a tobacco-free generation – it will help us catch up with changes in the marketplace, put into place rules that protect our kids and give adults information they need to make informed decisions.”
According to the revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) 29 CFR 1910.1200(g), what used to be Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are now obsolete and have been replaced by Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Safety Data Sheets are used to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products.
"The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires chemical manufacturers, distributors, or importers to provide Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) (formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets or MSDSs) to communicate the hazards of hazardous chemical products. As of June 1, 2015, the HCS will require new SDSs to be in a uniform format, and include the section numbers, the headings, and associated information under the headings listed on the page," stated an article by the United States Department of Labor.
The Senate recently passed a bill aiming at those who steal trade secrets from other businesses. The measure will also allow people and businesses whose trade secrets are stolen to sue for damages in federal court, just as those who have other kinds of intellectual property misappropriated, such as patents and trademarks. The legislation will also permit a court to order the seizure of property if it will protect trade secrets. Trade secret theft costs more than $300 billion a year for the U.S. economy.
"Supporters of the legislation say that in the digital world, trade secrets are far more vulnerable than when business plans or a secret formula were locked in the office safe. Businesses use electronic means to share secrets with far-flung business partners, but that can put enormous amounts of information at risk if it's downloaded from a computer or the cloud," stated an article by the U.S. News.
Lithium batteries have been the preferred energy source to power a wide variety of consumer goods. Although they are widely used, most people are not aware that lithium batteries are dangerous goods and post a risk with transportation regulations. As of April 1, 2016, The ICAO Air Navigation Commission prohibits shipping lithium ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircrafts.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that all 10 of its Centers of Excellence and Expertise Centers are now operating at full capacity. The full operation of all 10 centers is the culmination of considerable work within CBP and with trade stakeholders to streamline operations and modernize the way CBP does business. The centers provide centralized points of contact for specific industries such as apparel, electronics, machinery, natural gas, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and more.
“The Centers transform the way CBP interacts with trade stakeholders while meeting the needs of economic growth and facilitating supply chain security,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “As one of the agency’s major modernizing efforts to streamline trade operations, the Centers increase uniformity at our ports and enhance CBP’s industry expertise to better enforce the nation’s trade laws.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a public meeting that was held on March 21, entitled “FDA Food Safety Modernization Act: Prevention-Oriented Import System Regulations and Implementation.” The public meeting provided importers and other interested persons an opportunity to discuss import safety regulations and programs, including final rules for foreign supplier verification programs for importers of food and human and animals and accreditation of third-party certification bodies. Every importer of food will soon need to assess the potential hazard of the food product they import and verify that the supplier has established preventive controls to address those hazards.
From the official FDA constituent update:
"Participants will also be briefed on the status of FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, which is still in development. Additionally, the public meeting will provide importers and other interested persons an opportunity to discuss FDA’s comprehensive planning effort for the next phase of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act implementation relating to import safety programs, which includes establishing the operational framework for these programs and plans for guidance documents, training, education, and technical assistance. The meeting is also designed to answer questions about these import programs and provide an opportunity for interested persons to make public comments."
Get the official FDA story here.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (OTR) are working to reconstruct the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) because of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). More information has been provided in regards to the proposed plan for the reconstruction of the way MPF is currently calculated. MPF is currently calculated on 0.3464 percent with a minimum of $25. The restructuring MPF would affect all formal entries at a minimum of $30 MPF.
From Express Trade Capital on the restructuring:
"Rather than being calculated on an ad valorem basis, which is prohibited under TPP, the MPF would be a charged as a flat fee based on the value of the shipment. The MPF is currently calculated at 0.3464 percent of entered value for entries above $2,500, with a minimum fee of $25 and capped at $485 per entry. This restructured MPF would affect all formal entries imported into the U.S. with the fee breakdown being as follows:
TSA asks that you please leave these items at home! If an item resembles a real bomb, it is prohibited! When these items are found, they can cause large delays. Novelty items are also prohibited from being brought on the aircraft. For example, the comb knife as illustrated was discovered in a carry-on bag at the Lexington Airport which could be considered a concealed knife. Concealed knives can lead to fines and arrests!
From the offical TSA Blog:
"Unfortunately these sorts of occurrences are all too frequent which is why we talk about these finds. Sure, it’s great to share the things that our officers are finding, but at the same time, each time we find a dangerous item, the line is slowed down and a passenger that likely had no ill intent ends up with a citation or in some cases is even arrested. The passenger can face a penalty as high as $11,000. This is a friendly reminder to please leave these items at home. Just because we find a prohibited item on an individual does not mean they had bad intentions; that's for the law enforcement officer to decide. In many cases, people simply forgot they had these items."
Read the entire blog entry from TSA here.
The last 30 days have brought many updates to Section 301 duties, exclusions and more. The action all started on May 14, 2024, when the USTR announced that further action would be taken against China’s unfair technology transfer policies and practices. It was announced that key products would be subject to new rates over the next two years.
May 22, 2024, there was a follow up to the May 14 announcement which further defined that 382 HTSUS subheadings and 5 statistical reporting numbers of the HTSUS are the specific products that will have the increases in 2024, 2025 and 2026. This notice also noted that an exclusion process is being established for machinery used in domestic manufacturing and under certain subheadings under chapters 84 and 85 of the HTSUS. Finally, this notice proposes 19 temporary exclusions for solar manufacturing equipment.
Finally, on May 24, 2024, the USTR published details about the disposition of the existing Section 301 exclusions 9903.88.67 and 9903.88.68 which have been scheduled to expire on May 31, 2024. In summary, all exclusions under 9903.88.67 and 9903.88.68 have been extended to July 14, 2024. On July 15, 2024, a new exclusion will be effective. The new exclusion, under 9903.88.69 will cover 87 of the original 352 exclusions under 9903.88.67.
For more details, check out our 3 Client advisories released during May linked below.
CBP publishes numerous Informed Compliance Publications. These documents can be extremely useful in answering detailed questions about the application of CBP rules/laws on a wide range of topics. Some of the topics covered include Valuation, classification of sets, classification of specific product types, drawback, reasonable care, recordkeeping, rules of origin and the list goes on. These documents are publicly available and can be viewed online or downloaded. To check them out, follow the link below!
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has updated the process for excluding certain steel and aluminum imports from tariffs, effective July 1, 2024. This revision removes twelve General Approved Exclusions (GAEs), aiming to strengthen domestic steel and aluminum production and reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing. The changes follow public feedback and are intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the exclusions process while upholding national security interests. BIS has been overseeing this process since tariffs were imposed in 2018, and these adjustments reflect ongoing efforts to refine controls and support U.S. industrial base.
In December, 2023, FDA issued guidance for Industry regarding the registration and listing of Cosmetic Product Facilities and Products. The publication lists product categories and provides a Q&A section with answers to specific cosmetic product questions. The deadline is July 1, 2024. For more info and links, check out our most recent client advisory linked below:
Insect Repellent is regulated by EPA and FDA for importations and classified in chapter 3808 of the HTS book. It can be imported as a cream, spray and other methods such as bracelets. Some repellents can be applied directly to the skin and other methods can be applied directly to the clothing.
Here are a few ways to reduce your exposure to mosquitoes this summer:
A multinational organization based in Bangkok, Thailand, has agreed to pay $20,000,000 to settle potential civil liability for 467 apparent violations of OFAC sanctions on Iran. Between 2017 and 2018, the company facilitated $291 million in wire transfers through U.S. financial institutions for the sale of Iranian-origin high-density polyethylene resin (HDPE), manufactured by a joint venture involving the parent company in Iran. HDPE is a robust resin used in various plastic products such as food and beverage containers, shampoo bottles, and industrial items. Concurrently, the company initiated U.S. dollar wire transfer transactions to settle the joint venture’s debts to third-party vendors.
BIS has released the newest iteration of their guidance on export enforcement. The “Don’t Let This Happen to You” guidance document is dated March 2024 and is 76 pages of important guidance for the export community. The opening letter states “Export controls have never been more important to our collective security interests than they are today.” Follow the link below to check out more details!
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against work gloves manufactured in a Chinese company and its subsidiaries, based on evidence suggesting the use of convict labor. This action is part of the U.S. government's efforts to combat forced labor globally. With nearly 28 million workers suffering under such conditions worldwide, WROs are a means to deter companies from exploiting labor and to protect vulnerable populations. By enforcing laws prohibiting the importation of goods produced by forced labor, CBP aims to safeguard American workers, businesses, and consumers. Currently overseeing and enforcing numerous WROs and Findings, CBP emphasizes its commitment to eliminating forced labor from U.S. supply chains and encourages reporting of suspected violations.
JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc. VP Compliance Laurie Arnold (Secretary NCBFAA) and Leah Ellis, Compliance Manager (NCBFAA Legislative Chair) attended the NCBFAA annual conference in Ft Lauderdale in April.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) headquartered in Washington, DC metro area, represents many companies in international trade, including the nations’ leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents. NCBFAA is at the forefront of trade related topics in Washington DC and around the United States. The NCBFAA members handle 97% of the entries for goods imported into the United States. Further, members operating as OTIs are involved with approximately 80-85% of all exports from the United States.
Laurie Arnold has served as the Treasurer for the NCBFAA and was recently elected as the new Secretary of the NCBFAA. Seen on the far left in this photo, Laurie is contributing on a panel discussing “Liquidated damages, penalties, and other CBP fan mail.” Also on the panel was US Customs FP&F Director Lisa Santana Fox. She discussed the new Customs portal for mitigation request submissions. Laurie helped facilitate constructive discussion with the membership on the process and timelines of mitigation requests.
Leah Ellis serves as the NCBFAA Legislative Committee Chair. In this capacity, Leah works closely with the legislative committee advisor for the NCBFAA. The NCBFAA Legislative Committee works with legislators in Washington to advance positions of the trade community. Seen on the left in this photo, Leah was discussing Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) bill HR4986 and the end China de minimis bill HR7979. The panel also discussed and answered questions pertaining to the passing and signing of the Customs Business Fairness Act.
JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc.’s Compliance Project Manager, Scott Cassell, spent some time in Texas in the month of April facilitating Incoterms training on behalf of clients. Scott was also invited to speak at the ATX Trade Compliance Round Table Luncheon in Austin, TX. The event was attended by numerous trade professionals from Austin and the surrounding area.
Pictured in the photo from left toright are Scott Cassell, Antonio Pastrana (JASBM-Laredo), Lindsay Gambee (JASRegional Sales Dir SW), Helga Acosta (JAS BDM-HGC), Ernest Osei (JASBM-Dallas), and Curtis Corley (JAS BDM-DAL).
In recent years, gardening has blossomed into a global phenomenon, not merely as a pastime but as a vital component of sustainable living and environmental stewardship. As more people recognize the benefits of cultivating their own green spaces, the gardening industry has witnessed significant growth, reflecting in both domestic practices and international trade.
The United States, with its diverse climate and rich agricultural heritage, plays a pivotal role in the global gardening market. Examining import and export data reveals intriguing insights into the dynamics of this flourishing industry.
Imports:
The importation of gardening-related products reflects the diverse interests and needs of American gardeners. From exotic plants to specialized tools, the U.S. imports a wide array of goods to cater to the demands of enthusiasts.
Exports:
Conversely, the United States also contributes to the global gardening market through its exports, showcasing its expertise and innovation in horticulture.
The Green Economy:
The gardening trade exemplifies the growing importance of the green economy. Beyond economic transactions, it fosters environmental awareness, promotes sustainable practices, and fosters community engagement.
As the world grapples with environmental challenges, gardening emerges as a grassroots solution, empowering individuals to connect with nature and cultivate greener, healthier lifestyles.
JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc.’s VP Compliance, Laurie Arnold and Compliance Operations Manager and NCBFAA Legislative Committee Chair, Leah Ellis, has diligently championed to help pass the Customs Business Fairness Act (CBFA) for many years alongside the National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA). In a significant victory for Customs Brokers the bill was included in a continuing resolution bill that passed both the House and Senate. The CBFA has finally come to fruition. “The CBFA bill has been a long-standing passion of mine to help prevent Customs Brokers from having to return customs duties when an importer has filed bankruptcy and at long last (20 years) this bill has passed and signed into law and I am very happy to have been a part of the march to protect the Customs Brokers of our industry,” said Laurie Arnold when asked for her reaction on the passing of CBFA.
The CBFA, a long-standing initiative of the NCBFAA, aims to protect customs brokers and their employees by advocating for changes in bankruptcy laws. The bill seeks to grant "subrogation" rights to customs brokers, allowing them to assume the priority rights of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when importers file for bankruptcy. This would prevent payments made to CBP through customs brokers from being subject to preference payment recovery actions during the 90-day period preceding the importer's bankruptcy filing.
NCBFAA President Jose D. (JD) Gonzalez lauded the passage of CBFA, emphasizing its importance to the customs broker industry. He credited the dedicated efforts of the association's Legislative Committee leadership, Legislative Advisor Nicole Bivens Collinson, and member companies for lobbying lawmakers and pushing for the bill's passage.
Special recognition was extended to Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) for his role in championing CBFA in the House of Representatives. Garbarino reintroduced the bill at the association's request in 2023, garnering bipartisan support with 28 co-sponsors. NCBFAA expressed gratitude to its members for their engagement in advocacy efforts, including letter-writing campaigns urging Representatives to support the bill.
NCBFAA also acknowledged the contributions of individuals and organizations who worked tirelessly over the past two decades to advance CBFA. Past and current leaders of the association's Legislative Committee, along with former NCBFAA Legislative Representative Jon Kent, were recognized for their efforts. Additionally, the longstanding lobbying efforts of organizations such as the New York/New Jersey Foreign Freight Forwarders & Brokers Association, JFK Airport Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, and International Trade Surety Association were highlighted as instrumental in the bill's progress.
In a recent enforcement action at International Falls, Minnesota, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted over 7,800 lighting fixtures bearing counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories (UL) certification marks. These fixtures, as part of shipments from China and imported by a U.S. home design company, were deemed unsafe after inspection, raising concerns about potential fire hazards.
The seized lighting fixtures, among the cargo transiting from Canada into the United States, were inspected by CBP officers at International Falls, the busiest rail port in the country. Upon discovering the counterfeit UL certification marks, which falsely implied safety testing, CBP seized the shipments and initiated enforcement actions.
DeAnn O’Hara, CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer for the area port of Pembina, North Dakota, highlighted the seriousness of the issue. "When U.S. consumers purchase a lighting fixture with a UL trademark on it, they are under the impression that the lighting fixture has been tested for safety. When Chinese manufacturers fraudulently place a UL trademark on untested fixtures, they are tricking consumers into buying a product that may not be safe and could start a fire in their homes," she explained.
CBP imposed fines totaling $100,000 on the shipments, in addition to seizing and destroying the lighting fixtures. This enforcement action underscores CBP's commitment to protecting the American public from unsafe and counterfeit products.
The seized lighting fixtures represent just one facet of CBP's broader efforts to safeguard public safety and enforce trade regulations. Beyond intercepting unsafe goods, CBP's Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division (FP&F) plays a crucial role in adjudicating enforcement actions, ensuring compliance with laws, and facilitating the forfeiture process for seized items.
FP&F, comprised of a team of officers, paralegals, seized property specialists, and technicians nationwide, handles a wide range of cases, from drug seizures to intellectual property rights violations. The division follows a strict process with defined timeframes to ensure fairness and due process for all parties involved.
In addition to its enforcement duties, FP&F is instrumental in returning stolen property and cultural artifacts to their rightful owners. Recent successes include repatriating stolen artifacts to countries like Ukraine and Yemen, showcasing CBP's dedication to preserving cultural heritage and combating illegal trade.
While CBP faces challenges in keeping pace with evolving trade patterns and increasing volumes of shipments, its collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and commitment to public safety remain steadfast. As DeAnn O’Hara emphasized, "At CBP, we take the safety of the American public very seriously. That’s why we work so hard to remove unsafe products from the U.S. commerce before they can ever reach consumers."
In a significant interception, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBP) at the San Ysidro Port of Entry apprehended over $11 million worth of blue fentanyl pills concealed within a vehicle recently.
A staggering estimated 561,000 fentanyl pills, with a total weight of 123.6 pounds, were confiscated by CBP officers during the operation, highlighting the continuous efforts to curb the influx of illicit drugs across the border.
The interception unfolded around 8:20 p.m. when a 37-year-old man driving a 2008 sedan applied for admission into the United States from Mexico at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. A CBP K-9 unit, conducting routine pre-primary inspections, alerted officers to the glove compartment area, indicating potential narcotics present presence.
Following the canine alert, CBP officers proceeded with further examination, leading them to refer both the driver and the vehicle for comprehensive inspection in the secondary inspection area.
Upon meticulous scrutiny, CBP officers uncovered a startling discovery – a total of 100 packages containing blue pills meticulously concealed within the vehicle's dashboard and the front passenger seats. Subsequent testing confirmed the contents as fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid known for its lethal potency.
Mariza Marin, Port Director for the San Ysidro Port of Entry, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Fentanyl is a very lethal drug that continues to be encountered along our southern border. I’m very proud of the exceptional work by our officers who skillfully interdict illicit narcotics on a daily basis.”
The apprehended individual was promptly handed over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation, while both the narcotics and the vehicle were seized by CBP officers as part of the operation.
This seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a collaborative regional effort involving federal, state, and local agencies aimed at combating the pervasive threat posed by fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics. Operation Apollo underscores the commitment of law enforcement entities to safeguard communities against the devastating impact of drug trafficking.
For more information about Operation Apollo and ongoing efforts to combat the drug trade, interested individuals are encouraged to seek additional details through official channels.
The successful interception serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication of CBP officers in safeguarding the nation's borders and preventing dangerous substances from infiltrating communities.
The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced significant revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), imposing stricter controls on exports and reexports to Nicaragua. This move comes in response to mounting concerns regarding human rights abuses perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government against its citizens and civil society groups, as well as its continued military and security cooperation with Russia.
The amendments, effective immediately, see Nicaragua being shifted from Country Group B to Country Group D:5, resulting in a more restrictive classification. Consequently, a stricter licensing policy will apply to items controlled for national security reasons, with the country now subject to 'military end use' and 'military end user' restrictions.
Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez emphasized the alignment of U.S. national security and foreign policy with its values, stating, "We will not allow peaceful trade to be diverted in ways that undermine our values and weaken our security." Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Thea D. Rozman Kendler echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of export controls in preventing U.S. technology from being misused to support human rights abuses.
This rule builds upon previous actions by BIS, including the addition of the Nicaraguan National Police to the Entity List in March 2023. It reflects ongoing efforts by the U.S. Government to restrict the availability of items subject to EAR to Nicaragua’s military and security services.
The move signifies a continued escalation in U.S. efforts to address the situation in Nicaragua, as international concern grows over the Ortega government's crackdown on dissent and violations of human rights.
JASVP Compliance, Laurie Arnold attended the CBP Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit in Philadelphia, PA from March 26 through March 28, 2024. The US Customs Trade Facilitation & Cargo Security Summit in Philadelphia addressed updates on ACE 2.0, continuing education, and ecommerce.
Also, JAS’ own Scott Cassell, Corporate Compliance Project Manager attended the Commerce Department’s BIS Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy in Washington DC from March 27 through March 29, 2024. A wide variety of topics related to US export controls were updated by members of the Commerce Department and related agencies involved in export controls.
Every year on April 4th, carrot enthusiasts and food lovers alike come together to celebrate National Carrot Day. This humble vegetable, with its vibrant orange hue and crisp texture, holds a special place in the hearts and diets of people worldwide.
Carrots, scientifically known as Daucus carota, have a rich history dating back thousands of years. Originating in Central Asia, they were initially cultivated for their medicinal properties rather than culinary appeal. Ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, recognized carrots for their health benefits, particularly for improving eyesight.
Over time, carrots evolved from a medicinal herb to a staple ingredient in cuisines around the globe. From soups and salads to stews and desserts, carrots lend their unique flavor and nutritional value to a myriad of dishes. Their versatility in both savory and sweet recipes makes them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.
Nutritionally, carrots pack a powerful punch. They are an excellent source of beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which is crucial for eye health, immune function, and skin health. Additionally, carrots provide a healthy dose of fiber, vitamins C and K, potassium, and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to any diet.
National Carrot Day offers an opportunity to celebrate this underrated vegetable and explore its culinary potential. Whether enjoyed raw as a crunchy snack, roasted to caramelized perfection, or blended into a velvety soup, there are endless ways to savor the flavor and goodness of carrots.
Beyond their culinary appeal, carrots have also found their way into popular culture, appearing in folklore, literature, and even as beloved cartoon characters. Who can forget Bugs Bunny munching on a carrot as he outsmarts his foes?
In addition to indulging in carrot-centric dishes, National Carrot Day encourages awareness of sustainable farming practices and the importance of supporting local agriculture. Choosing organic, locally grown carrots not only ensures freshness and flavor but also reduces carbon footprint and supports small-scale farmers.
So, whether you're a devoted carrot connoisseur or simply looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, National Carrot Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate this crunchy and nutritious root vegetable. So grab a bunch of carrots, get creative in the kitchen, and join in the festivities on April 4th!
On February 26, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued its long-awaited final rule for Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements. The issuance and processing of detention and demurrage invoices by common carriers and marine terminal operators has long been a contentious issue in the logistics industry. The FMC deserves credit for taking this issue on and working to bring some standards to the process. The final rule will be effective as of May 28, 2024. Some of the key elements of the final rule are:
• A list of required minimum information that must be included on any invoice for detention or demurrage. If any of this information is missing, that will eliminate the obligation for the billed party to pay.
• An invoice for detention or demurrage must be issued by a billing party to either the consignee or the person for whose account the billing party provided ocean transportation or storage of cargo and who contracted with the billing party for the ocean transportation or storage of cargo.
• A billing party must issue a demurrage or detention invoice within thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which the charge was last incurred. If billed after thirty (30) calendar days, then the billed party is not required to pay.
• If the billing party is a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), then it must issue a demurrage or detention invoice within thirty (30) calendar days from the issuance date of the demurrage or detention invoice it received. If the NVOCC issues an invoice after thirty (30) calendar days, then the billed party is not required to pay.
• The billing party must allow the billed party at least thirty (30) calendar days from the invoice issuance date to request mitigation, refund, or waiver of fees from the billing party. The billing party must then resolve such a request within thirty (30) calendar days of receiving the request or at a later date as agreed upon by both parties.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently released an update to its 1991 Directive 3510-004 – Monetary Guidelines for Setting Bond Amounts. The updated guide is entitled "A Guide for the Public: How CBP Sets Bond Amounts”. The new guide brings the previous directive up to date by amending many minimum bond requirements, adding information on bond activity codes that were not included in the earlier directive such as for Importer Security Filing bonds and Marine Terminal Operator bonds, and adding information on ACE eBond procedures.
A large tractor and agricultural equipment manufacturer agreed via a stipulated judgment to pay $2 million in penalties for falsely labeling wholly-imported replacement parts as “Made in the USA”. It was also agreed that the company would submit compliance reports and notices to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for the next 20 years. The FTC had initiated the proceeding against the company to enforce its Made in USA Labeling Rule. This rule states that for items to be labeled as “Made in the USA”, the final assembly or processing of the good, and all significant processing that goes into the good, must occur in the United States. Further, all or virtually all ingredients or components of the good must be made and sourced in the United States.
A Florida couple were sentenced to 57 months in prison and were ordered to pay over $42 million in forfeitures, as well as reimbursing the government for over $1.6 million in storage costs, after pleading guilty to conspiring to import plywood in violation of the Lacey Act and customs laws and conspiring to sell the illegally imported plywood. An employee of theirs was also sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. From 2016 to 2020, the couple, via several companies set up for the purpose, imported numerous containers of plywood products and falsely declared the species, country of origin and country of harvest to avoid paying antidumping and countervailing duties that had been instituted on such products from China in 2017. Some of the plywood was shipped to Malaysia from China and re-loaded in containers to appear to be of Malaysian origin. False Lacey Act declarations were then made upon entry into the U.S.
On February 12, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced in the Federal Register that the Global Business Identifier (GBI) Evaluative Proof of Concept (EPoC) will be extended to February 23, 2027. The test is also being expanded to include entries of merchandise classifiable under any subheading of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule and for merchandise of any country of origin. Previously, the test was limited to certain categories of merchandise from only 10 specific countries of origin. The purpose of the test is to evaluate a possible replacement for the Manufacturer Identification Code (MID). The MID is a code that is required to be submitted on all customs entries to identify the manufacturer or shipper involved. For the test, all or one of three alternative codes can be used to identify the manufacturer, shipper, and seller on entries. These alternatives are the nine (9)-digit Data Universal Numbering System (D–U–N–S®), thirteen (13)-digit Global Location Number (GLN), and/or twenty (20)-digit Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). All of these alternatives provide more detailed and specific information on the parties involved and would create greater visibility into supply chains.
The long negotiated United States initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework For Prosperity (IPEF), finally had one of its agreements enter into force on February 24, 2024. The Supply Chain Resilience Agreement was negotiated “to establish a framework for deeper collaboration to prevent, mitigate, and prepare for supply chain disruptions, such as those experienced in recent years from the COVID-19 pandemic”. The IPEF has 14 countries as participants - the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The first step in implementation of this agreement will be the establishment of three bodies, the Supply Chain Council, Crisis Response Network, and Labor Rights Advisory Board, with a goal of “identifying and notifying partners of each country’s list of critical sectors and key goods for cooperation under the Agreement by no later than 120 days after the date of the entry into force for each country”.
Recently at the Logan Airport in Boston, a passenger who was returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo had a suspicious piece of baggage screened. The passenger advised the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Agriculture Officer on the scene that the baggage only contained dried fish. However, upon further inspection, the officer found four dead and dehydrated bodies of monkeys in the baggage. Minimally processed wild animal meat such as this is often referred to as “bushmeat”. Bushmeat can come from a variety of wild animals and can, therefore, carry numerous germs and viruses, such as Ebola, which can pose a significant heath risk. The bushmeat in this case, however, might not have been discovered if there was not another officer on the scene, CBP K9 Buddey! K9 Buddey is a part of one of the 180 canine teams that assist CBP officers at air passenger terminals, border crossings, cruise terminals and other locations. The CBP officer handlers and their canine partners undergo 10 to 13 weeks of intense training together before being deployed in the field. Beagles and beagle mixes are the preferred breed of dog for use as K9’s since beagles have a very keen sense of smell and have a gentle disposition towards the public. They are usually trained to alert handlers of contraband by sitting near or pawing at the offending baggage. Next time you see a K9 in action, salute them for their service, but hope that they do not come and sit down next to you…
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released its Export Enforcement Review for last year stating that 2023 was the year with the highest number ever of convictions, temporary denial orders and post-conviction denial orders. Some of the actions taken that the BIS highlighted were:
• Imposed the largest standalone administrative penalty in BIS history – a $300 million penalty related to the continued shipment of millions of hard disk drives to a sanctioned entity even after other competitors stopped shipping due to the foreign direct product rule.
• Obtained a guilty plea from a program administrator for a NASA contractor who secretly funneled sensitive aeronautics software to a Chinese University, which was on the Entity List for its involvement in developing Chinese military rocket systems and unmanned air vehicle systems.
• Imposed a $2.77 million penalty on a 3D printing company related to its sending export-controlled blueprints for aerospace and military electronics to China.
• Worked with the Department of Justice to bring eight separate indictments charging 14 people for their role in procuring items for the Russian military and Russian security service.
• In coordination with the Office of Foreign Assets Control, imposed a $3.3 million combined penalty against a major U.S. software firm for alleged and apparent violations of U.S. export controls and sanctions laws, including violations involving Russia, Cuba, Iran, and Syria.
BIS also emphasized the launch of the Disruptive Technology Strike Force with the Department of Justice “to protect U.S. advanced technologies from illegal acquisition and use by nation-state adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran. The Strike Force brings together experienced agents and prosecutors in fourteen locations across the country, supported by an interagency intelligence effort in Washington, D.C., to pursue investigations and take criminal and/or administrative enforcement action as appropriate”.
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