Time to Register - 2014 C-TPAT Conference

It's officially time to register for the 2014 C-TPAT National Conference.

Despite substantial scrutiny and restriction due to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines for government sponsored conferences, a scaled back C-TPAT conference will go on.  This year’s theme will be “C-TPAT: Partnering in Supply Chain Security and Facilitation for the 21^st Century.”

Here's what you need to know:

Exports from China are on the Rise – What is your IPR Plan?

On April 11, amid a high demand for soccer apparel in preparation for FIFA World Cup, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized counterfeit soccer apparel shipped from China to the Port of Savannah. The value of the seized goods exceeded $1 million in manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). The apparel seized contained counterfeit trademarks of the following professional soccer clubs: Arsenal, Barcelona, Celtic, Chelsea, Mexican Federation, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid.  Little did they know they should have tried to import Germany's soccer club's apparel. “You look at that Chelsea patch, and it just looks off,” said Steve Sapp, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “The last B is smaller than the rest, and that’s the kind of thing you often see with these counterfeit goods. Our investigators know the signs that these goods aren’t real.”  Both images are provided below for you to see for yourself - check out the extra space at the top, and the "u" in club.

White House's OMB Intervenes to Weaken FDA's Proposed Regulation of E-Cigs

On April 24, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) issued a proposed regulation which would subject the currently unregulated e-cigarette industry to FDA regulation under the authority of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The proposed rule put e-cigarettes with a list of products FDA "deemed" tobacco products, and as such, subject to the FD&C Act. OMB intervened to weaken FDA's original proposal.

Do You Want to be a "Trusted Trader"? C-TPAT is No Longer Enough

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently published the long awaited Federal Register Notice, dated June 16, 2014, discussing the "Announcement of Trusted Trader Program Test." This new "Trusted Trader" program is big news for U.S. and non-resident Canadian importers, and if implemented will combine the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Importer Self Assessment (ISA) programs, making ISA extinct.  CBP is currently recruiting test companies that have to be willing to go through an 18 month program test.

Freight Forwarder Pays $125,000 Mitigated Penalty - Avoid This & Learn 11 Steps to Exporting

Aramex Emirates, LLC, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), agreed to pay a $125,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for the unlicensed export and reexport to Syria, via the U.A.E., of network devices and software without the required BIS licenses. The Under Secretary of Commerce Eric L. Hirschhorn commented:

Today’s settlement shows the importance of compliance with U.S. law by foreign freight forwarders handling items subject to U.S. export controls.

The items in question could be used by the Syrian government to monitor Internet activity and block pro-democracy websites as part of its brutal crackdown against the Syrian people.

CBP Updates Trade Community on GSP Expiration

For those of you that relied on the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and are now subject to duties, CBP sent a notice today that directly impacts you.

A previous post discussed the expiration of GSP and need for congressional action to renew it. GSP expired July 31, 2013. Importers were advised to continue to use the Special Program Indicator (SPI) “A” when importing into the U.S., which would signify a valid claim for GSP but to pay duty subsequent to that date, so that in the event of a retroactive renewal, CBP could process refunds automatically.

Unfortunately, the picture above is still correct - the trade community is in limbo - will we get our duties refunded if we are entitled to GSP?  The answer... Yes, Maybe, No.  Not comforting or reassuring.

Today, CBP advised the trade community that:

PortMiami Tunnel Opening Celebration!

Today was the historic PortMiami Tunnel Opening (where you can watch my video of the first 3 trucks that officially entered the port tunnel)!  A better video can be found here, courtesy of Local 10.

As the Miami Herald reported today, four long years and $915 million dollars went into this tunnel that will now allow both cruise traffic and trucks to bypass downtown Miami and instead, head straight to the highway.

Much needed relief for residents. And... No Tolls!

E-Cigs "Deemed" Tobacco Under New FDA Proposed Rule

 

On April 24, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced what some call a "long- awaited" proposed regulation that will impact the future of the currently booming e-cigarette industry. Currently, e-cigarettes are not a part of FDA's purview and have no FDA oversight - FDA's proposed rule intends to change this in a big way.

Export Penalties Already Total $184 MILLION in 2014 – Want to Learn Who, What, Why & How to Stay Compliant?

Within just the first nine weeks of 2014, almost $182 million dollars in penalties have been assessed against companies for OFAC and ITAR export violations.  Within those same nine weeks alone, companies have been ordered to pay the Department of Treasury almost $25 million dollars more than was ordered in all of 2013. Simply put, compliance is critical, and non-compliance is costly!

Don’t miss this update on export enforcement actions stemming from a busy 2013 and start of 2014.

Trade Day is Coming to Miami!

Trade Day is coming to Miami, courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, (CBP) on April 2, 2014.  The ports of Champlain, Boston, Savannah, Buffalo and Detroit have held Trade Day (some already twice) and we are thrilled CBP's Port of Miami is bringing Trade Day to us.

This is the time to take advantage.  Importers, exporters, customhouse brokers, freight forwarders and all other interested parties in the international trade community - if you have been looking for an informal opportunity to meet one-on-one with government officials that are responsible for processing and facilitating trade related import transactions and enforcing the various Free Trade Agreements and trade laws, this is your chance.