“Fast Track” Bill Signed Into Law: Next Up Trans-Pacific Partnership

On Monday, President Obama signed Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) into law. TPA, also known as the “fast track” bill, was seen as a crucial component in solidifying the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  Although the re-authorization of TPA grants the President greater authority in his ability to negotiate and secure a trade deal--thus speeding up the TPP negotiation process--the TPP still has some tough negotiations ahead. However, the new authority Congress granted the President will now give him the power needed to ultimately conclude negotiations on the TPP.

Doing Business in Cuba: What's Next? Live Webinar - June 23

On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 12:00 noon EST, join OWIT International for an insightful conversation about rapidly evolving business opportunities in Cuba. 

The Webinar will highlight particular areas of interest, including:

Food Importers - FDA Issues New Guidance Aimed at Expediting Your Importations

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the most sweeping reform of our food safety laws in more than 70 years and was signed into law by President Obama on January 4, 2011. FSMA aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it. FSMA requires FDA to establish a voluntary, fee-based program, named the “Voluntary Qualified Importer Program” (VQIP) which promises expedited review and importation of foods from importers who achieve and maintain a high level of control over the safety and security of their supply chains.

 On June 4^th, 2015 the FDA published a draft version of “Guidance for Industry: FDA’s Voluntary Qualified Importer Program (VQIP)”.  According to FDA’s website, VQIP will also benefit consumers by enabling the FDA to focus its resources on high risk foods, further protecting consumers from the potential health hazards associated with those foods. In order for a food importer to be eligible for the VQIP program, the importer should:

1. Have at least a 3 year history of importing foods
2. Have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
3. Use a paperless filer/broker who received a passing rating during their last FDA evaluation
4. Import food that is not subject to an import alert or Class 1 recall
5. Not be, nor any non-applicant entity associated with the VQIP food be, subject to an FDA administrative or judicial action, have a history of significant non-compliance with food safety, or have one or more voluntary food recalls
6. Assure compliance with several FSMA regulations
7. Possess a current facility certification
8. Have a clear 3 year history with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), meaning no CBP penalties, forfeitures, or sanctions.
9. Pay the annual VQIP user fee before October 1^st of the intended year of participation (FDA estimated flat fee of $16,400 annually), and
10. Develop and implement a Quality Assurance Program (QAP)

Having a robust QAP program is one of the most vital components to have in place to qualify for VQIP and will be one of the largest hurdles for eligibility for those that do not have a QAP program in place. QAP is a compilation of the written polices and procedures a food importer will need in order to ensure adequate control over the safety and security of the foods to be imported. The QAP portion of the VQIP application will be time consuming and difficult to navigate, but with expert help, it can be manageable. FDA believes financial benefits of VQIP will outweigh the efforts in the application process.

FDA estimates that the VQIP program will officially commence in January, 2018.

If you have comments about the draft VQIP, especially the estimated annual fee of $16,400, FDA wants to hear from you by August 19, 2015. FDA will review all comments and publish the final fee in a future Federal Register notice at least 60 days prior to the start of the program. All food importers that want a faster, streamlined supply chain should consider participation in VQIP.

For more information on VQIP, or assistance in developing your QAP program, or want to make sure your voice is heard during the comment period, contact me anytime at jdiaz@bplegal.com.

Top Impacts of Cuba Being Removed From "Terrorism List"

As you know, the President made a big announcement back in December, 2014 that the US would take historic steps to chart a new course in our diplomatic relations with Cuba. One specific action item was instructing the Secretary of State to immediately launch a review of Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, and provide a report to the President within six months regarding Cuba’s support for international terrorism.

Within four months of the President's announcement, on April 8, 2015 (2 months early!), the Secretary of State finalized their review and recommended that Cuba no longer be designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.  Thereafter, on April 14, the President sent Congress the statutorily required report indicating the Administration’s intent to rescind Cuba’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation, including the certification that "Cuba has not provided any support for international terrorism during the previous six-months; and that Cuba has provided assurances that it will not support acts of international terrorism in the future." Members of Congress, initially vowing to block the removal of Cuba from the "terrorism list" had no legal outlet to voice their opposition, and as of today, the 45-day Congressional pre-notification period has expired. As a result, the Secretary of State has officially made the final decision to rescind Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, effective today, May 29, 2015.

The Department of State issued a Press Statement today advising that:

The rescission of Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism reflects our assessment that Cuba meets the statutory criteria for rescission. While the United States has significant concerns and disagreements with a wide range of Cuba’s policies and actions, these fall outside the criteria relevant to the rescission of a State Sponsor of Terrorism designation

Below are the top 4 impacts I foresee as a result of Cuba being removed from the State Sponsor of Terrorism List (leaving only Iran, Sudan, and Syria now on the list):

Hear How Companies are SUCCESSFULLY Doing Business with Cuba - May 14, 2015

Are you in South Florida and thinking of doing business with Cuba? Do you want to hear from those already successfully doing business with Cuba? Do you want to fully understand what is legal now? 

May 14, 2015, I have JUST the event for you! This is your LAST CHANCE to register!

You'll get a snapshot of the important revisions to the regulations and what travel and trade is legal now. 

Want to understand how companies are taking advantage of the revised regulations? 

You'll hear from IDT, who successfully entered into an agreement with Cuba's Empresa de Telecomunicaciones  de Cuba S.A. to provide direct international long distance to Cuba. Get a sneak peak of what IDT will do next.

You'll also hear from Cargill who is helping take the lead urging an end to the Cuba trade restrictions. Cargill has successfully traded agricultural commodities to Cuba for years now - you'll learn how they do it and what they hope for future trade.

Additionally, Roots of Hope will discuss its vast efforts to bring technology to the Cuban people including its recent hackathon at Facebook. 

The event will take place May 14, 2015 at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables, Florida from 11:30-1:30 pm. Register Today. 

In Tampa? Meet the Expert May 12, 2015

I'm proud to participate in America's SBDC's "Meet the Expert" seminar on May 12, 2015. If you are in Tampa, you won't want to miss this seminar. It will take place from 3:30-5:30 PM at the FSBDC at the University of South Florida, Port Tampa Bay Building, and will cover the following HOT Topics in International Law:

Jennifer Diaz to speak at FDLI Annual Conference

I am honored to be a speaker at the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI’s) Annual Conference, taking place in Washington DC from April 20-21, 2015. My panel “Moving Food Commodities Across National Borders: Compliance, Tips, and Strategies” will take place on April 21, 2015 from 12:00-12:25 pm. I hope you can join. As an added incentive, use my code below to receive 15% off of your registration cost! 

OFAC Publishes NEW FAQ on Cuba

Today, the Office of Foreign Assets Control published a new updated Frequently Asked Questions Related To Cuba. The last FAQ from OFAC was on January 15, 2015, discussed in this previous post "Revised Cuba Regulations Officially Released". There are 12 new questions discussed in OFAC's new FAQ - made easy for your review - as all NEW questions are posted below, with some commentary in italics above the question. 

Urban Land Institute Discusses New Trading Opportunities with Cuba

On April 29, 2015, the Urban Land Institute hosts private and public sector leaders for an interactive morning exploring the latest best practice trends, technology, and emerging markets affecting South Florida development, including the latest update on business with Cuba.

The program will take place from 8:00 am - 11:30 am at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel, 1825 Griffin Rd. , Dania Beach, FL 33004 United States. Get behind-the-scenes info of two the hottest developments in the nation - the Pearl District in Portland and Denver's Union Station. Learn how technology is changing the way we plan and implement development and explore the opportunities/challenges that lie ahead with Cuba's emerging freight and consumer goods market.

I will be joined by Barbara Pimental of the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association and Michael Williamson of Cambridge Systematics to discuss exactly what the new trading opportunities with Cuba are, and what is still subject to the current sanctions program in place.
Don't miss this opportunity to network with key industry professionals and get your questions related to Cuban business transactions answered! Pre-registration ends April 27, 2015. You can register HERE.

Are you Certified in International Trade?

The Fort Lauderdale Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting its coveted 2015 International Trade Certification Program from May 28, 2015 through June 18, 2015 - and YOU should seriously consider registering for this program - below details why.

THE SBDC HAS EXTENDED THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE TO MAY 22, 2015. Act Fast!

If you are thinking of entering the international market, or are already in the international market and want to improve - this program is for you. You will learn, from EXPERTS, how to perform market research, cross cultural communication, Legal/Intellectual Property Rights issues, Free Trade Agreements, export laws, export financing, logistics, and pricing (and more).

I have the honor of teaching two of the seven modules - Legal/Intellectual Property Rights issues and Free Trade Agreements.