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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) previously announced a process to obtain product exclusions from the additional tariffs in effect on certain products imported from China under the U.S. response to China’s unfair trade practices.  The USTR recently announced that it is still in the process of posting exclusion requests due to the high volume of submissions.  As of the date of this report, 815 exclusion requests have been denied and none have been granted.

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Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)

New Online Registration and License Applications Process

Date:  December 4, 2018

Location:  FREE, Webinar

Time:  2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

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The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), a Department of State organization responsible for developing and enforcing regulations that oversee the commercial export and temporary import of defense articles and services, is undergoing a major IT modernization effort to replace legacy systems with modern cloud technologies. As part of its IT modernization effort, DDTC is testing its new online applications, which will provide industry with user-friendly, cloud-based solutions for submitting required documentation and fees. During this webinar, DDTC's CIO, Karen Wrege, will discuss the current status and next steps for DDTC's new registration and licensing applications.

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Export Compliance Solutions & Consulting

Date: December 11, 2018

Location:  Webinar

Time:  1:00 pm – 2:30 pm EST

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It’s the Holidays!  Welcome Home!  Have you ever travelled to a foreign country with your laptop or an electronic device?  Did you know that U.S. Customs has the right to search (and detain if necessary) your electronic device upon entry into the United States?  U.S. Customs and Border Protection encourages travelers to “Know Before You Go” when traveling to a foreign country and returning home to the United States during the holiday season.

A few quick tips:  Take appropriate travel documents, declare goods, foods, and gifts honestly!   Safe travels and Happy Holidays!

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On November 20th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the border crossing of Nogales are credited for saving the life of a U.S. infant.  Officers at the Dennis DeConcini Crossing assisted a 41-year-old woman who was attempting to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico. As the Arizona woman crossed through a SENTRI lane, she was calling for agents to help with her two-month-old son who was not breathing and possibly choking. Agents quickly closed the lane and began to assist with the baby. The CBP officer quickly began to perform infant CPR.  Once the baby regained consciousness and began to breathe on his own, he was handed back to his mother. The woman drove the baby on her own to the local hospital without further incident.  What a happy ending for all and a special thank you to our CBP Heroes that control our borders!

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The U.S. Mexico-Canadian Agreement (USMCA) is scheduled to be signed on November 30th at the G20 summit in Buenos Aries, Argentina.  Before reaching the signing ceremony, the new USMCA deal must be ratified by the legislatures of the three countries.  With such a short window of time before the scheduled signing ceremony, many obstacles remain in the way.  However, it has been confirmed that all three countries will sign the agreement.  The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

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We just received a CF-28 from U.S. Customs ….. WHAT NOW?

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The industry is starting to see an increase in the number of CF 28’s and CF29’s due to related imports covered by the Section 301 tariffs on goods from China.  We are expecting to see what could be even more of an increase over the next couple of weeks.  CBP will be scrutinizing imports of goods subject to the Section 301 duties and the ability to show reasonable care is critical.  A lack of reasonable care can lead to steep penalties!

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Do you prefer wine or beer?

You may know your drink of choice, but do you know which one was exported the most from the United States in 2017?  Wine or Beer??  USA Trade Online has all the details!

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DAP is the short form for “Delivered at Place” that was introduced in 2010.  It is a term of agreement between a buyer and a seller much like DDU.  DDU was removed from Incoterms 2010 and replaced with DAP; however, many traders continue to use DDU in their business documents.  As a result, if traders use the terms in their business documents it is mandatory to mention “as per Incoterms 2000.”  Otherwise, DAP terms are applicable.

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FCBF Conference of Americas

Date: November 12-14, 2018

Location:  Miami, FL

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The conference will provide a unique opportunity for customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, exporters and other parties involved in global trade, logistics and transportation to learn the legal, regulatory and policy initiatives critical to trade in the Americas in relation to global markets.

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​Massachcusetts Export Center Expo

Date: December 7, 2018

Location:  Boston, MA

The Massachusetts Export Center’s Export Expo provides a forum for exporters to connect with the wide range of export resources available in Massachusetts while learning about issues that impact their day-to-day export operations.

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​In September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act is effective for over 1600 products entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after Oct. 13 and will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2020.   Additionally, according to CBP approximately half of these items are subject to the China 301 additional tariff.  CBP states that while such products can benefit from the Miscellaneous Trade Bill, they remain subject to the 25% duty imposed from the Section 301 additional tariff requirement.

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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that it will hold a hearing Nov. 29 in its reviews of whether various countries are meeting the eligibility criteria of the Generalized System of Preferences. USTR is currently evaluating whether:

• Bolivia, Georgia, Iraq, Thailand, and Uzbekistan are affording workers internationally recognized worker rights,
• Ecuador is recognizing as binding or enforcing applicable arbitral awards,
• Indonesia and Uzbekistan are providing adequate protection of intellectual property rights
• Laos to determine if they meet the program criteria and should be added to the GSP program.

​Interested parties can submit comments, pre-hearing briefs, and requests to appear at the hearing to the USTR until 12:00 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2018.

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On October 16, the Trump administration formally notified Congress that it intends to negotiate trade agreements with Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.  The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will next consult with Congress and gather public input on the direction, focus, and content of these agreements as part of a process set forth under the Trade Promotion Authority law (TPA) to ensure that any final agreements receive expedited consideration by lawmakers. Negotiations will begin no earlier than Jan. 14, 2019, with the EU and Japan, and the United Kingdom after March 29, 2019.

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