Foreign Trade Zone Benefit for Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Trade Compliance Members
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 4 bond, FIRMS Code, and be in compliance with all
USTR Finalizes Action on China Tariffs Following Statutory Four-Year Review
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
White House Takes Action Against E-commerce Shipment Abuses
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
The JAMES GANG joins IFFCBAS for a tour of MV OOCL BERLIN in Savannah, GA
With grateful appreciation to Ms. Helen Beasley for arranging this event on behalf of the Independent Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of Savannah, #JamesGang members Alex Jones, JR Cotton, and Steven Hollander tour the working vessel MV OOCL Berlin in the port of Savannah, GA today. Tour participants included employees from regular member firms of IFFCBAS. They were guided through the bridge, catwalks and a tour of the engine room. What a great experience for all.
USTR to Consider Extending Certain Tariff Exclusions on $34 Billion of Chinese Imports
As reported from ustr.gov 10/28/2019 Washington, DC – The United States Trade Representative (USTR) will commence on November 1, 2019 a process for considering extending for up to twelve months certain exclusions from additional tariffs on Chinese imports that were granted last December and are set to expire on December 28, 2019. In a Federal Register notice to be published this week, USTR will provide details on the process for submitting comments favoring or opposing specified tariff exclusions. The period for submitting comments will run from November 1, 2019 to November 30, 2019. To view the Federal Register notice, click here. Downloadable forms for filing a comment are available here.