Monday Morning eBriefing

Here is a summary of the latest customs and cross-border trade regulatory updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Customs Counsel firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg:

NCBFAA, along with 45 other trade associations, sent a letter March 3 to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel Maffei requesting a 30-day extension to submit comments on the agency’s Feb. 15 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding demurrage and detention billing practices.

Here is a summary of the latest legislative and regulatory transport, logistics and trade sector updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Transportation Counsel firm Venable:

NCBFAA, along with 45 other trade associations, sent a letter March 3 to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel Maffei requesting a 30-day extension to submit comments on the agency’s Feb. 15 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding demurrage and detention billing practices.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have continued to postpone their “Container Dwell Fee,” and said they will reconsider its possible imposition on March 11.

NCBFAA thanks all our members who continue reaching out to their representatives and senators on Capitol Hill regarding important legislative matters that impact our industry. For those who have not yet done so, PLEASE do and be sure to ask your colleagues to do the same.

Customs Brokers may be liable for charges under current practices by ocean carriers naming them as “merchant” as listed in terms and conditions of their master bills of lading. The carriers’ intention by use of a broad definition of merchant casts a wide net over multiple parties they can hold responsible for charges related to the bill of lading.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Feb. 28 issued an update to its Jan. 27 message to the trade providing guidance on new Section 301 modifications made to certain classifications within the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

NCBFAA’s agenda for its 49th Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona, on May 1-4, promises to enlighten and educate our members on the most important regulatory and legislative topics impacting their businesses today!

President Biden announced March 1, as well as highlighted during his State of the Union, that his administration will take a multiprong regulatory and legislative action aimed at lowering consumer prices and leveling the playing field in ocean container shipping.

NCBFAA’s agenda for its 49th Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona, on May 1-4, promises to enlighten and educate our members on the most important regulatory and legislative topics impacting their businesses today!

President Biden announced March 1, as well as highlighted during his State of the Union, that his administration will take a multiprong regulatory and legislative action aimed at lowering consumer prices and leveling the playing field in ocean container shipping.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on March 3 released three draft EDI implementation guide updates for ACE Import Ocean Manifest House Bill Release functionality.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have continued to postpone their “Container Dwell Fee,” and said they will reconsider its possible imposition on March 11.

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome the following members who have recently joined our association:

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule to add new export license requirements and review policies for Belarus to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in response to that country’s enabling of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It may still be cold outside, but let’s not put our momentum to make the Customs Business Fairness Act (CBFA) (H.R. 4186) permanent on ice. We need each of our members to continue reaching out to their Congressional Members on Capitol Hill to let them know just how important this legislation is to our industry.

Every customs broker knows that interacting with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) can be the most challenging part of their job. The PGA data requirements are often demanding. And, on top of that, there are just so many agencies!

The NCBFAA Transportation Committee’s Logistics Subcommittee is regularly collecting data on the nation’s rail delays and port congestion that are impacting the supply chain and your business operations.

It may still be cold outside, but let’s not put our momentum to make the Customs Business Fairness Act (CBFA) (H.R. 4186) permanent on ice. We need each of our members to continue reaching out to their Congressional Members on Capitol Hill to let them know just how important this legislation is to our industry.