Photo credit: Georgia Ports Authority National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. Press Release September 17, 2024   More than 175 trade organizations, including NCBFAA, signed a letter that was sent to President Biden on Tuesday, Sept. 17, urging the administration to aid in facilitating continued master contract negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). If a new contract is not reached before the end of this month, the ILA leadership is prepared to strike container terminals from Maine to Texas, starting Oct. 1. The trade organizations warned the Biden administration that a “strike at this point in time would have a devastating impact on the economy, especially as inflation is on

Photo: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Photo Gallery | CBP.GOV U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented a new benefit for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) Trade Compliance partners.   Subject to the conditions further described below CBP has determined that importers who are CTPAT Trade Compliance partners, in good standing, may utilize an FTZ for the storage of goods subject to potential forced labor enforcement action.      In order for importers who are CTPAT Trade Compliance partners to utilize these benefits, they must identify to CBP which FTZ Operator they will use to store these goods and receive Port Director approval prior to the movement of the goods. The FTZ Operator must have an active Type

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today announced final modifications concerning the statutory review of the tariff actions in the Section 301 investigation of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. The proposed modifications announced in May 2024 were largely adopted, with several updates to strengthen the actions to protect American businesses and workers from China’s unfair trade practices following the review of more than 1,100 comments from the public.  “Today’s finalized tariff increases will target the harmful policies and practices of the People’s Republic of China that continue to impact American workers and businesses,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “These actions underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to

In a significant move to protect American consumers and businesses, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced new executive actions targeting the surge in de minimis shipments, particularly from China-founded e-commerce platforms. The White House is set to implement rules aimed at blocking illicit shipments that exploit the de minimis exemption—a loophole allowing certain imports to enter the U.S. duty-free. The majority of these shipments, now exceeding one billion annually, originate from Chinese e-commerce platforms. This influx has prompted the Administration to use its executive authority to curb what it describes as “significant increased abuse.” Additionally, there is a call for Congress to enact legislation reforming this exemption comprehensively within the year. According to the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of

Nearly 300 International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Wage Scale Delegates ended their two-day Wage Scale Meetings in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Sept. 5 by unanimously supporting International President Harold J. Daggett’s call for a blanket East and Gulf Coast strike on Oct. 1, if a new agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) cannot be reached by that time.   Sept. 30 will mark the expiration of the current six-year dockworkers labor agreement.   USMX said it is prepared to resume contract negotiations with the ILA to avoid a strike. The union has not carried out a coastwise strike in nearly 50 years.   Dockworker employer USMX said its current proposal offers “industry leading” wage increases, retention of existing technology