2012 CBP Symposium Announced!

CBP announced May 10, 2012 as the date for CBP's Trade Symposium - "Transforming Trade for a Stronger Economy."  It will take place in Long Beach California, and registration starts March 20, 2012!

How I Helped Release $2.5 Million Stuck in Customs

Before beginning a career in international trade, I did not ever stop to think that the t-shirt I was wearing or dishes I was using were likely made elsewhere, and went through a long complicated logistics supply chain in order to reach my local store. Little did I know that when anything goes wrong in that complicated supply chain, it would be my job to help. Recently, a client had over 2.5 million dollars worth of electronic merchandise on hold by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) for alleged intellectual property rights violations. In plain English, Customs was under the impression my client was trying to import goods with trademarks or logos they did not have the authorization to import.

When you see these symbols, make sure you think about LICENSES to use them!!

For this client, this was a lot of money at stake, and it could have put them out of business if we did not come up with a quick solution. Instead of thinking of the band aid type solution, to solely fix this issue, we came up with a compliance plan for the client to use going forward, that would also help solve the current issue.

U.S. Customs & Border Protection Seized My Goods - Oh No!

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) seizes merchandise EVERY day (and there is a LOT you can do to get your merchandise back!).  Check out the latest 2011 stats on intellectual property rights enforcement and seizure statistics.

What some don't know is the merchandise does NOT even have to be destined for the U.S. for CBP to seize it.  Yes, it's true.  CBP detains and physically inspects cargo daily. CBP is supposed to issue timely detention notices and the detention notices are supposed to include the specific reason for the detention, anticipated length of the detention; nature of the tests or inquiries to be conducted; and nature of any information which, if supplied to U.S. Customs may accelerate the disposition of the detention.  I wish I had a dollar for every importer that told me they never received one, or where the rationale for detention was blank, or said IPR (intellectual property rights)!

HOW TO GET OFF THE FDA BLACK LIST (Import Alert List)

What is the Black List?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authority from Congress to place an importer, manufacturer, shipper, grower, geographic area, or country on a “detention without physical examination” (DWPE) list (aka the FDA’s black list). To check if a company you are doing business with is on such a list, check FDA’s Import Alert page, you can search by country, company, etc. If your company is on this list, any merchandise you import may be detained as soon as it is offered for entry into the United States. You will have to prove to the FDA that the merchandise should be allowed to enter the U.S., otherwise, it will be refused entry and must be exported or destroyed within 90 days. The company/country, etc. will remain on this black list, until information is presented to the FDA that proves the merchandise is no longer violative.

How to Get Off the Black List

Do You Know the TOP 10 COMPLIANCE TIPS?

If you import, you need to!

On behalf of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida), I am hosting an informal round table where members OWIT will have the opportunity to get to know one another and learn all about compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)!

Yes, men are welcome!

This session is especially important for importers and brokers and those in involved in international trade.

Attendees will receive a special "cheat sheet" providing great resources to utilize when importing, including the top 10 compliance tips.

Space is limited to OWIT members! Become a member of OWIT here (it is only $100 for a YEAR of benefits including these FREE IBR's), and assure your spot by sending in your RSVP today!

Please email Jennifer Diaz with any questions!

Importing into the United States in Compliance with U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

Do you want to learn the Top 10 Tips When Importing to Ensure Compliance?  What about the Importance of CBP Rulings for Classification, Valuation and Country of Origin?

How about Cost Savings practices like utilizing Free Trade Agreements?

Well you can learn this and hot topics like:

- Importance of protecting Intellectual Property Rights

- Basic customs concepts and terms

- What to do if you encounter a CBP detention and/or seizure case

- Learn when to submit a Prior Disclosure to CBP

Join my webinar with Compliance Online, January 27, 2012, at 1:00 pm eastern. 

You can join the live session and ask questions! 

If you import merchandise into the U.S., you may not realize, but, you are the responsible party! In this presentation, we will discuss how to comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) vast laws and regulations. By the end of the Seminar you will know and understand the importance of tariff classification, Customs valuation, Country of origin marking, intellectual property rights and Free Trade Agreements. You will also learn basic customs concepts and terms like CBP Form 3461 & CBP 7501, Protests, Seizure cases, Liquidated damage claims, Penalties/Fines, Prior disclosure, and FP&F Petition Process.

CBP Commissioner Bersin Tenders Resignation Effective December 30

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Alan Bersin has announced his resignation effective December 30. Deputy Commissioner David V. Aguilar is slated to serve as Acting Commissioner.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Bersin said he was grateful for the chance to lead CBP.

"My service as commissioner has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my public life," Bersin said Thursday. "I am immensely proud of the significant and meaningful achievements we have made on our borders and at our nation's ports of entry over nearly two years."

Bersin's recess appointment term expires Dec. 31.

Will YOUR Tariff be Changed in the 2012 Update??

One way to find out!

CSMS #11-000317, dated December 21, 2011, advises brokers that the 2011/2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) will contain many changes. 

Specifically, the notice states:

To: Automated Broker Interface

Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1108 was created on December 20, 2011 and contains 577 ABI
records and 118 harmonized tariff records.

Changes were made as a result of the 484 (F) Committee. The Committee for the Statistical Annotation of the Tariff Schedules mandated modifications effective January 1, 2012.

As always, these changes will be included in the 2012 USHTS. However, at this time, please contact your client representative for questions regarding specific records.

Adjustments required by the verification of the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) were made as well.

The modified records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. For further information about this process, please contact your client representative. For all other questions regarding this message, please contact Jennifer Keeling via email at Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.

The prelimary 2012 HTSUS is out!  Time to check your tariffs for the new year.

Did your tariff change?

NEW CBP Technology To Increase Efficiencies at Port Miami

NEWS BLAST! 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to launch Enforcement Link to Mobile Operations (ELMOcargo) at the Port of Miami. This technology will allow CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists to release inspected cargo in real-time.

Currently, CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists conduct inspections on site, but the subsequent release of cargo is delayed until field personnel return to the office and enter inspection results into their data systems.

With the implementation of ELMOcargo, field officers using handheld devices will be able to immediately clear containers. This device speeds up release time by up to four hours making operations more efficient while continuing to keep the Port secure.

CBP Agriculture Specialist recently started using this new technology as a pilot at other Florida ports and agreed to expand the program to Port Miami starting in January 2012.

About the Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is among America's busiest ports and recognized across the globe with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. The Port of Miami contributes more than $18 billion annually to the South Florida economy and helps provide direct and indirect employment for more than 180,000.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Andria C. Muñiz
305-347-4962
amuniz@miamidade.gov

33 Interesting and Exciting Career Paths in International Business!

We often come across great resources we want to share with others... This is exactly what this post is all about!

I was sent 33 Interesting and Exciting Career Paths in International Business and thought MANY of you could benefit from this.

I hope this is beneficial for you!