We have previously reported that the NCBFAA, in conjunction with a large number of other trade associations, that was collectively referred to as the Coalition for Fair Port Practices, filed a petition with the FMC raising issues associated with detention, demurrage and per diem charges assessed during periods of port congestion. Essentially, the NCBFAA and the Coalition requested the FMC to establish an interpretive rule that would require the carriers and ports to extend the number of free days accorded NVOCCs and cargo interests during those periods when congestion, severe weather, or other issues prevented parties from timely picking up or returning containers to the ports and the carriers.

In our communications with CBP about several questions that we have posed about the Inbond Final Rule we have been told that the requirement for supplying the HTS number on the inbond transmission postponed and will not be required on the effective date of November 27, 2017. CBP will be issuing a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to the Trade to explain this change and other issues from the FRN on the final rule. We expect the FAQ to be issued this week.

Consumers should work with licensed international shipping companies when shipping personal effects and automobiles overseas. Unlicensed companies are not authorized to provide international ocean shipping services. Recently the Commission received questions and complaints about these companies shipping cargo and household goods primarily between the U.S. and Brazil:

NCBFAA RAC member, Myra Reynolds with the John S. James Co. recently analyzed the FCC's newly effective rules related to the authorization of radiofrequency devices. She had composed the attached summation of the rule provisions to help members to better understand this complex rule and assist them in conveying some of the new requirements to their clients

Earlier this year, during the quarterly Board of Director's meeting, a decision was reached by our Board of Directors regarding 2018's membership dues. There will be a 5% increase next year due to the increase and need for advocacy over the last year and the rising costs associated to remain in a position in which we can address the challenges and opportunities within our industry. We strive to improve on the value we bring to our members. Here are just a few examples of value we've added to your company and our industry over the last year:

The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) held a quarterly meeting last week, November 14, in Washington, DC and NCBFAA President Geoff Powell and Vice President Amy Magnus were in attendance. The following day, Mr. Powell, as well as the Officers, Board of Directors and Committee Chairs attended another Strategic Planning discussion. On Thursday, November 16, Mr. Powell spoke at the Customs Brokers & International Freight Forwarders Association of Virginia in Norfolk.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee is looking for a volunteer to be our BKIP Champion. We need BKIP to become widely adopted by our membership and widely recognized in the trade. A champion to head up this effort-either working as a committee of one or with friends and allies--will work to promote understanding of the program with our members, encourage use of the program, and work with the NCBFAA on promotional activities.

CBP's automated Customs Broker Exam administered on October 25 experienced system latency and performance deterioration. Working with its contract exam provider, CBP is identifying and addressing the technical issues that caused these problems. Long term system remediation is underway. The NCBFAA will be discussing the situation with CBP senior management early this week.

NCBFAA President Geoff Powell and NEI Executive Director Kiko Zuniga recently attended the ASAPRA meeting in Cartagena, Colombia. Todd Owen, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, addressed the group and then spent some time talking to both on a number of issues. At the 2017 Government Affairs Conference, Alfonso Rojas, the President of ASAPRA, addressed the attendees on the important work of ASAPRA in central, South America and North America. ASAPRA now has been appointed to the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG) at the World Customs Organization (WCO), an additional path for the NCBFAA to be present and represented at the WCO. Mr. Powell, as well as Rich Roche and Kristine Little, attended the FMC Sunshine meeting. At the meeting, Mr. Powell was able to speak with all the Commissioners and the Chairman on a variety of topics. They thanked Commissioner Dye and Acting Chairman Khouri for their great work in moving this NPRM forward. As Commissioner Dye and Acting Chairman Khouri said, the NPRM is a very positive step in the right direction, but we are not finished with deregulation to bring greater efficiencies to the supply chain.

NCBFAA President Geoff Powell urged Congressional trade leaders to renew GSP before it expires on December 31, 2017. The letter to House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committee leaders pointed out to lawmakers that, if the GSP program is allowed to lapse, "companies will face an estimated $75 million in duties on imports from GSP countries each and every month until the program is renewed!"

President Trump announced on Friday, Aug. 22, that his administration has initiated an investigation into furniture imports, with the possibility of imposing tariffs on these products later this year.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold its next Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) quarterly meeting in Washington, D.C., from 1-5 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. The meeting will be open to the public via webinar only, the agency said.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Aug. 21 updated its IEEPA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the unstacking provisions. Specifically, under “IEEPA Overarching,” see the question, “What are the current unstacking provisions?”

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., will continue to track the imposition of additional Section 232 tariffs on U.S. imports aluminum and steel derivatives, watch progress of the U.S. and European Union trade framework agreement announced on Aug. 21, and monitor the Canadian government’s commitment to end certain retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods by Sept. 1.

Customs and Border Protection said recent unannounced visits at Customs Bonded Facilities (CBF) have yielded numerous cases of violations. The agency reminds CBF operators of authorities that CBP Port Directors may exercise in cases of violations.

President Trump announced on Friday, Aug. 22, that his administration has initiated an investigation into furniture imports, with the possibility of imposing tariffs on these products later this year.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold its next Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) quarterly meeting in Washington, D.C., from 1-5 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. The meeting will be open to the public via webinar only, the agency said.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Aug. 21 updated its IEEPA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the unstacking provisions. Specifically, under “IEEPA Overarching,” see the question, “What are the current unstacking provisions?”

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., will continue to track the imposition of additional Section 232 tariffs on U.S. imports aluminum and steel derivatives, watch progress of the U.S. and European Union trade framework agreement announced on Aug. 21, and monitor the Canadian government’s commitment to end certain retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods by Sept. 1.

Customs and Border Protection said recent unannounced visits at Customs Bonded Facilities (CBF) have yielded numerous cases of violations. The agency reminds CBF operators of authorities that CBP Port Directors may exercise in cases of violations.

President Trump announced on Friday, Aug. 22, that his administration has initiated an investigation into furniture imports, with the possibility of imposing tariffs on these products later this year.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold its next Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) quarterly meeting in Washington, D.C., from 1-5 p.m. ET on Sept. 17. The meeting will be open to the public via webinar only, the agency said.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Aug. 21 updated its IEEPA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the unstacking provisions. Specifically, under “IEEPA Overarching,” see the question, “What are the current unstacking provisions?”

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., will continue to track the imposition of additional Section 232 tariffs on U.S. imports aluminum and steel derivatives, watch progress of the U.S. and European Union trade framework agreement announced on Aug. 21, and monitor the Canadian government’s commitment to end certain retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods by Sept. 1.

Customs and Border Protection said recent unannounced visits at Customs Bonded Facilities (CBF) have yielded numerous cases of violations. The agency reminds CBF operators of authorities that CBP Port Directors may exercise in cases of violations.