Monday Morning eBriefing

Due to international travel limitations, the Small Business Administration's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) has been updated to increase allowable expenses to support virtual engagement in foreign markets with grants as high as $10,000.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remaindered importers and customs brokers that the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Identifier Format Change will be deployed to the Production Environment (PROD) on April 24.

NCBFAA responded to Customs and Border Protection over numerous "informed compliance" letters issued to customs brokers throughout the country regarding incidents of underpayment of Internal Revenue Tax (IRT) under the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA).

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

Small businesses account for more than 97 percent of U.S. exporters, but are disproportionately impacted by the costs associated with trade and challenges posted by COVID-19. The Small Business Administration's Office of International Trade (OIT) has resources that can help your current or prospective small business clients with their trade journey, including advice and access to funds.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released a number of FAQs related to its Withhold Release Order (WRO) for cotton, tomatoes and downstream products produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

TQL Global, LLC, subsidiary of Total Quality Logistics, the 2nd largest 3PL in the US, is looking for an outside consultant to assist with Ocean Transportation Intermediary operations. If you have any interest in connecting please reach out to patrick.behan@tqlglobal.com

The Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) allows for reduced tax rates for beer and distilled spirts or tax credits for wine covered under 92 tariff numbers under Chapter 22 of the HTSUS. This month, the NCBFAA has received copies of numerous informed compliance letters, requests for information and notices of action from our members across the country regarding misdeclarations under the CBMA. The correspondence identifies entries that were submitted with lower-than-required Internal Revenue Tax (IRT), directing brokers to the TTB's Tax and Free rate table.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on Feb. 17 published a notice that it will be seeking information from ocean carriers and marine terminal operators (MTOs) to determine if their demurrage and detention practices are consistent with their legal obligations.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Feb. 18 released their Joint WCO-ICAO Guiding Principles for Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information and Joint WCO-ICAO Guidelines on Alignment of the Customs Authorized Economic Operator and Aviation Security Regulated Agent/Known Consignor Programs.

A recent International Trade Commission (ITC) decision related to blueberry imports has caused confusion for importers.

Customs and Border Protection said there are two ways that filers can avoid an ACE system failure:

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to work with its interagency partners to expeditiously clear into the United States authorized pharmaceuticals, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and other imports needed for national COVID-19 response efforts, verifying that these imports are safe for use.

Robert Alan "Bob" DeCamp passed away Jan. 17, 2021, due to complications from Covid-19, according to a recent statement from his family. He was 70.

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

In a Feb. 11 CSMS message (CSMS #46187634), the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) reminded the trade that loads of potatoes, onions and open field/field grown potatoes must be certified as meeting the AMS Section 8e import requirements prior to the load entering U.S. commerce. Certification can be completed either prior to import into the U.S. or upon arrival at its destination pithing the U.S.

The NCBFAA's Air Freight Subcommittee wants to remind all our members to confirm your Dangerous Goods certification is up to date, and that your certifier has a current accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

With a "standing room only" audience of nearly 1,000, NCBFAA's Regulatory Agencies Committee (RAC) joined with the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in a lively discussion on how to master the APHIS Core Message Set. The webinar could not have come at a better time, since the March 15 hard enforcement deadline is near.

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

Paulette Kolba, formerly of DSV Air & Sea in Los Angeles, and Myra K. Reynolds, of John S. James Co. in Savannah, Georgia, have recently become Honorary Members of the NCBFAA upon announcing their retirements.