Customs Brokers News

Rhe Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) on Thursday elected Jack C. Jensen, Jr. to serve as Board Chairman, succeeding Charles H. Ponstein, whose term as Chairman ended this month. Also elected were Joseph F. Toomy, who will serve as Vice Chairman, and Walter J. Leger, Jr., who will serve as Secretary-Treasurer for the nine-month term.“Jack Jensen has brought decades of transportation and logistics experience to this board, and we look forward to his…

NVOCCs are caught in the middle of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 requirements for reporting demurrage and detention; FMC needs to pump the brakes and allow the industry to catch upThe Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022, passed by Congress without industry input and signed into law on June 16, has left the industry in a difficult position regarding how to comply with the new requirements for invoicing demurrage and detention (D&D) charges.At issue is the Container Availability Date…

A stranded container ship blocking the Suez Canal threatens to make it even more difficult for European and U.S. retailers to keep products in stock during the coronavirus pandemic.The Suez Canal saga that began on Tuesday and could go on for weeks, is just the latest crisis to strike the global supply chain that was upended when coronavirus shutdowns spurred house-bound consumers to upgrade appliances, sofas, televisions and backyards.IKEA, the world’s largest furniture seller…

Customs officials at Chennai, one of India’s biggest ports, have held shipments originating from China for extra checks, sources aware of the delays told Reuters, amid a backlash against China over a border clash in which 20 Indian soldiers died.The increased scrutiny on shipments from China at Chennai Port, which handles various cargo including automobiles, auto components, fertilizers and petroleum products, could disrupt supply chains.While there is no official order from the government yet…

On April 28, 2020, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released the long-awaited interpretive rules in Docket No. 19-05 relating to how ocean common carriers may lawfully apply demurrage and detention charges to exporters, importers and ocean transportation intermediaries, including Customs brokers in certain circumstances and still be compliant with the “reasonableness” requirement of 46 U.S.C § 41102(c). The analyses and guidance in the interpretive rules have been in high…

What might not be so obvious in this COVID-19 environment, which we have grown to associate with shortages, is that counterintuitively there are issues beginning to appear dealing with the opposite situation. The Journal of Commerce has reported that “[t]he container shipping industry is marshaling a response to signs of a building import backlog as some retailers and manufacturers fail to pick up containers because warehouses are full or closed due to not being deemed essential…

Global logistics software group, WiseTech Global has announced the acquisition of Ready Korea, a customs, bonded warehouse and trade compliance solutions provider in South Korea.Headquartered in Seoul, Ready Korea offers a cross-border compliance solution, which facilitates the lodgement of electronic transactions to the Korean Customs Service, including customs brokerage and refunds and Free Trade Agreement verification, along with bonded warehouse management.Ready Korea also provides a trade administration solution to facilitate the generation and submission of electronic import/export documentation. Customers of Ready Korea include FedEx…

Stephen Wang is counting the costs of President Donald Trump's trade war. He had to put down 12 times more cash as a guarantee to U.S. customs that he would pay the bill for tariffs on the Chinese-made pumps, valves and motors he imports.The cost of the guarantee - a U.S. customs bond - has shot up, an additional hit to importers already facing steep customs bills adding up to tens of billions of dollars for tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on incoming Chinese goods…

The fire has been primarily contained. Three salvage tugs are currently providing assistance to Yantian Express, which suffered a cargo fire on 3 January in the Atlantic.Another ocean-going tug is also on its way to further assist the operations, said a press release from Ocean Network Express (ONE). The Hapag-Lloyd containership is alliance partner of ONE."Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you the possible port of refuge and estimated time of arrival at this moment. Details will be advised once the information has been determined," an advisory to customers said."At this time, it is not possible to make a precise estimate of any damage to Yantian Express or its cargo.

A Final Rule published today by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) offering deregulatory flexibilities for non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC) negotiated rate arrangements (NRAs) and NVOCC service arrangements (NSAs) will go into force on August 22, 2018.The key changes to NRAs allow them to be amended at any time; allow the inclusion of non-rate economic terms; and, allow an NVOCC to provide for shipper’s acceptance of the NRA by booking a shipment. NSAs will…

APM Terminals India Pvt. Ltd became one of India’s first Inland Service providers to receive the internationally recognized security standard, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) from the World Customs Organization. The aim of the AEO program is to prevent unlawful trade across borders and facilitate legitimate trade designates. The AEO certification acknowledges APM Terminals India Pvt. Ltd, which operates under the brand APM Terminals Inland Services, South Asia, as a 'secure' and 'reliable' trade partner for global supply chains. As such, it can offer higher levels of efficiency and faster export-import services. “The certification is a validation of our long-standing values and commitment towards safety and security…

Rayan Qutub, CEO of King Abdullah Port, has announced that the port has achieved new heights in container handling this year, already showing a 45% increase during the first four months of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Qutub confirmed that the substantial increase will play an important role in promoting King Abdullah Port as a logistics hub strategically located on the Red Sea. He added that the progress at King Abdullah Port falls in line with Vision 2030’s logistics goals to link the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe by offering state-of-the-art services and infrastructure to service international shipping lines and facilitate transshipment services as well as imports and exports.

The Port of Barcelona is pursuing an active policy to increase the competitive edge of its customers, fostering the development of efficient and operational services that respond to their needs for international shipping and logistics services. To do this, it provides port companies, customers and users with various tools such as multi-sectoral business missions, specialised courses and seminars on foreign trade matters. Now it has incorporated the methodology of a company called GettingContacts, which provides networking with a customised agenda, which has proven to be a high-performance format especially designed to provide a rapid response to the needs of transport and logistics companies.

Economic development wins, new services and expanded agreements have resulted in record operating revenues and strong, double-digit cargo growth in 2014, Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange said during the annual State of the Port Address hosted by the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans today. “Through a lot of hard work by your Port and with the help of Louisiana Economic Development under the guidance of Secretary Stephen Moret and many of our economic development partners…

Summit Set for October 8, 2014 at UNO’s Lindy Boggs International Conference Center from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. With a focus on educating and engaging community stakeholders on maritime jobs opportunities, the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans will host the 1st Annual Port of New Orleans Maritime Workforce Summit October 8. Moderated by Mark Romig, President and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp., summit participants include state and local education officials…

Customs brokerage and trade compliance advisors, Livingston, say that to better reflect the company’s integral role in regulatory affairs for its clients, Livingston has appointed Candace Sider to the newly created position of Vice President, Regulatory Affairs Canada. Sider will be responsible for developing and implementing government affairs strategy, as well as the overall management of Livingston’s political engagement with federal and provincial officials, regulatory agencies and key policymakers. She will be Livingston’s primary representative with the Canada Border Services Agency, focused on regulatory changes that impact global trade, compliance and risk management.

Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle spoke today at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) Government Affairs Conference in Washington, DC. There, he addressed OTI regulations, port congestion forums and the upcoming U.S.- China Bilateral Maritime Consultations. His full comments are as follows. Thank you for inviting me here today. I want to let you know that you have a tireless advocate in Ed Greenberg. Ed is always looking out for your interests—he’s on the phone calling my office…

Toronto-headquartered Livingston International says it has acquired New York-based FPA Customs Brokers, Inc. “We look forward to welcoming the FPA team and their clients into the Livingston family,” said Livingston CEO Steven C. Preston. The acquisition bolsters Livingston’s air/sea customs brokerage operations, and expands the company’s presence in the United States. Notably, it strengthens Livingston’s footprint in New York and Los Angeles, the country’s two largest ports. Livingston was also attracted to FPA’s expertise in the retail textiles and apparel industry sectors in which Livingston continues to grow its presence. “This transaction…

The Port of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MDBA) Center at the University of Southern California will be holding a FREE “Trade Connect” export workshop August 26, 2014 at USC’s Galen Center. The event will focus on providing information, tools and tips for fashion, garment, health and beauty product companies interested in promoting and exporting their products overseas. “Los Angeles is home to thousands of small- and medium-sized fashion, garment, health and beauty businesses that make products with great potential for export markets,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price Jr.…

Shantanu Bhadkamkar, Immediate Past Chairman of Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations In India (FFFAI) was unanimously elected as Chairman of International Federation of Customs Brokers Association (IFCBA) at the Board of Directors Meeting of IFCBA held in Seoul, Korea recently. Bhadkamkar is the Managing Director (Group CEO) of ATC Group,a leading Customs Broker & International Freight Forwarder in India. Apart from being Chairman of IFCBA and Immediate Past Chairman of FFFAI, he is the Sr. Vice – President of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA, Vice –President of Association of Multimodal Transport Operators In India (AMTOI) and Immediate Past Chairman of Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

PortMiami is scheduled to receive its first shipment of cold-treated grapes from Peru on December 1, part of a new Cold Treatment Pilot Program that recently went into effect allowing cold treated products to be imported directly from Peru to the Port. Cold treatment is a process performed on fruits and vegetables that entails sustained refrigeration sufficient to kill pests associated with imported fruits and vegetables. In the past, Peruvian products such as table grapes and blueberries could only enter the U.S. via certain northeastern ports; however, under a new pilot program that allows cold treatment products to be imported directly to PortMiami has opened up a new trade route for cold treatment products bound directly for Florida and the southeastern U.S.

Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange cited numerous Port and industry-wide accomplishments, while challenging local business leaders to think big and act as ambassadors for the maritime community during today’s 27th Annual State of the Port Address hosted by the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans at the Marriott Convention Center. LaGrange ticked through a series of best rankings – most notably the No. 1 logistics hub…

Port of New Orleans President and CEO Gary LaGrange will deliver the 27th Annual State of the Port address tomorrow at a luncheon at the New Orleans Marriott Convention Center. The speech is hosted by the International Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans. Gary LaGrange, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, will highlight recent successes and focus on opportunities and challenges for the future. From building support for a deeper Mississippi River channel to funding the infrastructure needs of the trade and transportation industry…