Calling it a commitment to transparency in its rulemaking process, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has reinstituted its monthly public Significant Rulemaking Report.

To help businesses meet the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Final Rule for Preventive Controls for Human Food, the FDA has released a new software tool to help owners and operators of food facilities create a food safety plan specific to their facilities.

This week, NCBFAA President Geoffrey Powell will be attending the IFCBA Board of Directors meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition to meeting with brokers from around the world at this event, representatives from the U.S., Canada and Mexico will be meeting to discuss NAFTA.

CBP recently announced that it is modifying the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo Test, Vessel Cargo Test, and Rail Cargo Test, National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) tests concerning ACE export manifest capability, by making certain of the export manifest data elements optional. CBP is also extending the test and will be accepting additional applications for participation in this modified test from all parties meeting the eligibility requirements.

Partnerships were the focus of the week for NCBFAA Executive Vice President Megan Montgomery. Last week, she spent time finalizing NCBFAA's Getting to Global partnership with the Department of Commerce and the Media Partnership with American Shipper. Both of these partnerships make the association more effective at advocating for our industry. Additionally, she spent much of her time supporting and preparing for the upcoming Government Affairs Conference.

This Wassenaar Arrangement final rule revises the Commerce Control List (CCL), as well as corresponding parts of the EAR, to implement changes made to the Wassenaar Arrangement List of Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (WA List) maintained and agreed to by governments participating in the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies (Wassenaar Arrangement, or WA) at the December 2016 WA Plenary meeting. This rule revises 50 Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs), as well as the WA sensitive list (Supp. No. 6 to part 774), Definitions (Part 772) and License Exception APP (§ 740.7).

CBP has posted an updated FWS Implementation Guide (IG) and a FWS PGA Message Set Samples document to CBP.gov. To download a copy of the updated PGA documents, please copy and paste the following URLs to your internet browser:

As of September 16, all electronic filings of FTZ admission applications must be made in ACE as ACS will be decommissioned for the electronic filing of these applications, according to a recent CBP notice. All other filers will continue to submit FTZ admission applications to CBP on paper.

Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, USN, Ret., is the latest Administrator of the Maritime Administration. Prior to his appointment, Admiral Buzby served as president of the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), a global association of transportation and logistics professionals.

The NCBFAA and American Shipper recently announced a partnership agreement designed to better serve the needs of their members and readers alike. The focus of this new partnership will be better member and reader service, including an NCBFAA sponsorship of American Shipper's 2018 Import-Export Compliance Benchmark Survey.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday, Oct. 10, announced modifications to its Section 301 tariffs on foreign ships calling U.S. ports, effective Oct. 14, as well as the addition of tariffs for container-handling equipment imports.

President Trump in a Truth Social post on Friday, Oct. 10, said that his administration will impose 100% tariffs on China products, “over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” by Nov. 1 or sooner, citing an “extraordinary aggressive position” taken by China against the U.S. with new tariffs and increased export controls on rare earth metals.

The NCBFAA Customs Committee and Counsel of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., are closing monitoring the imposition of Section 232 tariffs on timber, lumber, and derivative products imported into the U.S., starting for entries made on or after Oct. 14, and proposed Section 232 tariffs for heavy-duty truck imports by Nov. 1. The Committee will provide related Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance to our customs broker members as soon as it’s received.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has stepped up outreach to the trade to increase awareness of DEA import and export requirements. DEA officials recently visited several local customs broker associations to spread the word about importer and exporter requirements under the Controlled Substances Act with particular emphasis on chemicals that can be used to manufacture fentanyl.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.