Trans American

Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) June 15 and 23 Deadlines

June 15, 2016 is the deadline for ACE entry and entry summary for shipments requiring Food & Drug Administration clearance. July 23, 2016 is the required filing in ACE of entries for most other remaining entry types. The July 23 date marks the fourth phase of the ACE transition. Trans American has met all requirements of ACE and continues the transition to ACE of the remaining entry types. Additional detail, including timeline with U.S. Customs is available at:

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/automated/ace-mandatory-use-dates

SOLAS Ocean Container Weight Rule

Six U.S. East and Gulf coast ports and 19 ocean carriers would like to work together to strategically meet the requirements for the SOLAS container weight rule. This effort to create a common procedure will simplify the mandate for shippers and hopefully avoid any supply chain issues directly related to the new rule. The proposed agreement will allow the members to share information in terms of the procedures, rules and transmission of the verified gross mass information. Additional details are available at:

http://www.joc.com/regulation-policy/transportation-regulations/international-transportation-regulations/us-operating-ports-container-lines-plan-forge-solas-strategy-together_20160519.html

Department of Homeland Security Regulatory Agenda for U.S. Customs & Border Protection

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its Spring 2016 regulatory agenda for U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Included in the agenda is a proposal to expand the definition of ISF Importer for certain types of shipments to ensure that the party that has the best access to the required information will be the party that is responsible for filing the ISF. CBP has also moved its ISF final rule to its ‘Long-Terms Actions’ list. Once the rulemaking is complete, CBP plans to publish a final rule for the program, which is now regulated under an interim final rule. The full agenda is available at (In the link, see DHS/USCBP detail):

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain?operation=OPERATION_GET_AGENCY_RULE_LIST¤tPub=true&agencyCode=&showStage=active&agencyCd=1600&Image58.x=66&Image58.y=15&Image58=Submit

Truck Capacity at U.S. — Mexico Border

Northbound trucking from Mexico to the U.S. is surpassing southbound traffic due to the expansion of trans-pacific trade from Asia direct to Mexican ports. Components that used to be shipped to U.S. ports and trucked to Mexico are now being received into Mexican ports directly. Additionally, there has been strong growth in exports from Mexico to the U.S. causing northbound truck capacity to become increasingly tight. Transloading cargo is becoming the best option for northbound cargo since U.S. trucking equipment in Mexico is in high demand. Additional details are available at:

http://www.joc.com/international-logistics/mexicos-rising-container-trade-squeezes-truck-capacity-us-border_20160527.html

Continued Delay in 100 Percent Scanning of Incoming Maritime Cargo Containers

Congress was notified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that they need to delay again the deadline for implementing 100 percent scanning of incoming maritime cargo containers as required by the Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port Act of 2006. The DHS is looking for outside help on the matter, “As part of this effort, DHS issued a call for information, recommendations or proposed solutions for the Department and its external stakeholders to achieve the requirement” said a spokesman.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Requirement for Food Facilities to Address Terrorism Risks

As part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, the regulation that addresses the intentional adulteration of food is being finalized by the FDA. Most companies will have until July 26, 2019 to comply. On June 21, the FDA will hold a webinar on this subject, a link to the webinar detail is available at:

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm502791.htm

Trade Talk with Japan

Canada may pursue a free trade agreement with Japan if the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement fails to materialize. Japan was once Canada’s second largest trading partner, but now is fifth. Canada and Japan began free-trade negotiations in 2012, but put those talks on hold when they joined the ambitious TPP talks. Full article as in the Globe and Mail is available at:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-and-japan-talk-trade-in-lead-up-to-g7-summit/article30117485/