Customs & Logistics News
Recent Editions
U.S.
November 17, 2016
Reminder – U.S. Food & Drug Administration Biennial Renewal Period
Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), all food facilities that are required to register with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) need to submit a biennial renewal registration. FSMA requires facilities to re-register every 2 years during the period October 1 and ending December 31 in even numbered years. The renewal period opened on October 1, 2016 and must be completed by December 31, 2016 for the registration to remain in good standing. The owner, operator, or agent in charge of the facility, or a person authorized by one of them, can submit a facility’s registration renewal electronically at: http://www.access.fda.gov/
U.S. Food & Drug Administration Voluntary Qualified Importer Program
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its final guidance on their Voluntary Qualified Importer Program. The FDA has advised they will limit participation to 200 applicants in the first year. Benefits of the program include an expedited review and importation of foods with fewer examinations, samplings and an expedited laboratory analysis of samples taken. The program will be open to importers with a history of compliance with FDA. The FDA will begin accepting applications on January 1, 2018. Additional details with the Guidance document: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/ucm448728.htm
Contract Rates
Importers should expect higher rates for the 2017-2018 steamship line contracts. In order to provide sustainable revenue for the industry, container lines are expected to increase rates more than $500 compared to last year’s rates. It is also expected that carriers will not be giving extra free time or free chassis rental as part of the contracts. It will be important this year for beneficial cargo owners to be aware of the financial condition of the carrier chosen to go under contract with. Additional details are available at: http://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/hanjin-shipping/us-importers-told-prepare-higher-trans-pacific-contract-rates-less-perk-giveaways_20161109.html
EPA Final Rule: Hazardous Waste Export – Import Revisions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to issue its final rule on import and export requirements of hazardous waste that will have an effective of December 31, 2016. The final rule is to provide for improved export and import shipment tracking, consolidated and streamlined requirements, mandatory electronic reporting and linking the consent to export with the electronic export information submitted to U.S. Customs. Detail is available at: https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/final-rule-hazardous-waste-export-import-revisions
Hanjin Related Drayage Costs
Currently about 95 percent of Hanjin container ships have been unloaded; there are five vessels still under arrest. It is recommended that beneficial cargo owners review their exposure to storage and per diem charges on Hanjin containers. It is likely that drayage carriers will collaborate on a claim to Hanjin reducing their individual legal costs and increasing leverage. Additional details are available at: http://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/hanjin-shipping/drayage-providers-face-hajin-related-detention-storage-costs_20161114.html
Canada
November 17, 2016
Canada – European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
The government of Canada has posted an article titled “CETA: A progressive trade agreement for a strong middle class”. It includes comprehensive detail on CETA. Under CETA, when fully implemented, the European Union will have eliminated duties on 99 percent of its tariff lines. The full article is available at: http://www.international.gc.ca/gac-amc/campaign-campagne/ceta-aecg/index.aspx?lang=eng
