Customs & Logistics News
Recent Editions
U.S.
August 15, 2016
Informed Compliance Letters to Importers Suspected of Compliance Deficiencies
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) is increasing its enforcement efforts and targeting Importers it suspects may have compliance deficiencies. Contact CBP by email, telephone call or in writing. Letters may include the subject line of “Distribution of Informed Compliance Publications and Other Informative Documents”. If such letter or contact is made, it may be an indication that CBP believes the Importer is experiencing specific problems with import compliance. Please contact your Trans American Personal Account Manager if contacted by CBP. Additional details from Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg and Arent Fox: http://www.strtrade.com/news-publications-informed-compliance-letters-audit-customs-080916.html http://www.arentfox.com/newsroom/alerts/cbp-turns-heat-moves-forward-increased-audits-and-enforcement-actions#.V6ze02fQeUm
World Trade Organization Global Reference Material
The World Trade Organization has made available three new publications on international trade related to market access information and global statistics. “WTO improves visibility of government procurement information” (https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/gpro_22jul16_e.htm) “WTO launches new annual statistical publication” (https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/stat_21jul16_e.htm), and “”WTO launches new World Trade Outlook Indicator” (https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news16_e/rese_08jul16_e.htm)
Intermodal Rates Expected to Increase
Analysts anticipate intermodal traffic and pricing to rebound in the second half of 2016. Increases in imports and consumer spending as well as tightening truckload capacity will all cause increased rail traffic. Additionally, the West Coast is gaining more market share for imports than the East Coast. Since the West Coast is more connected by rail nationwide, the gain in West Coast shipments will also contribute to increased volume of intermodal moves. Additional details: https://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/class-i-railroads/domestic-intermodal-volume-rebound-bring-higher-rates-us-shippers_20160808.html
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Valuation Encyclopedia
CBP has updated their Valuation Encyclopedia to include customs rulings through 2015. The last update was in 2010. The Valuation Encyclopedia is available at: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Jul/Valuation%20Encyclopedia%20Dec%202015%20final.pdf
Chinese Zika Prevention Efforts
China has added the United States to the list of countries that require imports to have anti-mosquito treatment. U.S. agriculture exporters will need a Mosquito Eradication Certificate in order to ensure the passage of goods into China. Without this certificate freight has the risk of being quarantined. Shippers worry about the added costs and potential delays this may cause. Additional details are available at: https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/chinese-anti-zika-prevention-efforts-worry-us-exporters_20160810.html
Canada
August 15, 2016
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) New Refund Process Effective August 1, 2016
CBSA has implemented phase one of its Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project called Accounts Receivable Ledger (ARL). As part of this initiative, CBSA has changed its refund process. Under the ARL, the monthly account statements (K84) have been replaced with a Statement of Account (SOA) which provides a summary of the duties and taxes. CBSA will offset any refund amount and apply it against any balance associated with the Importers business number. If a residual credit is in excess of $1,000, CBSA will issue a cheque to the Importer. Residual amounts under $1,000 will remain on the account unless it is still owed after two months, after which time a cheque will be issued to the Importer.
