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• Join Us in Honoring Kiko Zuniga with the Centurion Award at NCBFAA’s 51st Annual Conference!
• Take Advantage of NCBFAA’s Two $5,000 Annual Scholarships for 2024
• NCBFAA Welcomes New Members!
• Follow NCBFAA on Social Media!
• NCBFAA Seeks Regular Members to Join Media Committee
• WCO Releases Exploratory Study on A Possible Strategic Review of the Harmonized System
• Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) Renewals for Trade Participants
• Senators Call for ‘Strong and Urgent’ Government Action to Thwart Illegal Seafood Imports
• Russian Seafood Ban Toolkit Now Available!
• CBP Reminds Customs Brokers of TSR and Annual Permit User Fee Deadlines
• CBP Deploys Forced Labor Updates to ACE Protest Set Jan. 27
• ALERT: USDA Ready for Mandatory Electronic Organic Import Certificate March 19
• FDA Highlights Innovative Supply Chain Technology in New Video Series
• BIS Expands Controls Against Russia and Belarus
• CBP NCSD Virtual Trade Forum 2024 – Save the Date!
• In Case You Missed the NCBFAA POA Handbook Webinar
• NCBFAA Renewal Season Is in Full Swing!
• NCBFAA Member Forum: BravoTran
• Contribute to the MMeB Member Forum!
• Transport, Logistics and Trade Sector Updates of The Week
• Customs and Cross-Border Trade Regulatory Updates of The Week
• Reminder: Ignore Questionable Communications
• Events Calendar

Join Us in Honoring Kiko Zuniga with the Centurion Award at NCBFAA’s 51st Annual Conference!

NCBFAA is pleased to bestow Federico “Kiko” Zuniga with its coveted Centurion Award during the 51st NCBFAA Annual Conference at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa on April 14-17 for his decades of selfless dedication to enhancing the professionalism of our industry. Join NCBFAA and your industry colleagues at the Annual Conference to celebrate this remarkable achievement!

Meanwhile, NCBFAA continues to remind our Annual Conference registrants to make your hotel reservations when you register for this event. Fort Lauderdale in springtime is packed with events that attract tourists, thus lodging will be at a premium.

NCBFAA’s block rate at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa is currently $259 per day, including resort fee plus tax. Once our room block is sold out, which we anticipate will occur before the Early Bird registration ends on March 15, then the hotel room rate at the conference site will increase to more than $500 per day.

The 2023 Annual Conference was an incredible success, resulting in sold-out hotel rooms, exhibit booths, and conference space. This overwhelming response underscores the growing popularity of this industry leading NCBFAA event. As we look forward to 2024, we want to make sure you don't miss out on the next extraordinary experience. That’s why we encourage all eligible attendees to register early for the 2024 Annual Conference to secure your spot and be part of the excitement.

Early bird pricing starts as low as $945 for Regular Members and $1,245 for Non-Members. (When you pay for five attendees from the same company, the sixth is free!) Make sure to lock in the lowest possible price before it's too late! Register now!

If you are attending the 51st NCBFAA Annual Conference as an Exhibitor, click here today for all the information you need to know and to register for your place in the Exhibit Hall.

[To more accurately manage our room block allotment, NCBFAA has updated its hotel registration policy requiring attendees to now register for the Conference prior to making their hotel reservations. After you register and NCBFAA has processed your order (which may take 1-2 business days), you will receive a code on your invoice for the hotel reservation page that includes NCBFAA's special room block rate of $259, includes resort fee plus tax. This policy change will ensure all registered attendees can stay at the Conference hotel. Please also note that we may exhaust our room availability before the end of the Early Bird or room block cut-off dates, so we recommend booking your hotel room at your earliest convenience, as there is a chance that we may run out of event space for attendees before that time.]

With high expectations for another remarkable conference, don't delay—register today and join us for what promises to be an unforgettable event in the coming year.

NCBFAA wholeheartedly thanks our 2024 NCBFAA Annual Conference Sponsors!

Diamond Sponsor

Avalon Risk Management

Platinum Sponsors

Roanoke Insurance Group

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.

Gold Sponsors

Affiliated Presidents Network (APN)

Co/Action

GDLSK

IB&M

WCAworld

Silver Sponsors

e2open, LLC

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants

Louisiana Maritime International Chamber of Commerce Inc.

Raft

Venable LLP

Bronze Sponsors

Alba Wheels Up International, Inc.

Comstock & Theakston, Inc.

Descartes Systems (USA) LLC

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Take Advantage of NCBFAA’s Two $5,000 Annual Scholarships for 2024!

NCBFAA is delighted to announce that two competitive $5,000 scholarships are now available to help both current and future members of our industry achieve their goal of furthering their education! These scholarships help offset the costs that students and our members accrue while learning or further developing the skills they will need to succeed in a career in Customs Brokerage, Freight Forwarding, or related field in international trade. We ask each of our NCBFAA Regular Member companies to share this special scholarship announcement with your staff today!

Our Association is most appreciative of Roanoke Insurance Group for its longtime and invaluable support of the annual NCBFAA scholarship program and truly grateful to Alba Wheels Up for its second year for generously providing the second scholarship to our members.

NCBFAA's two annual scholarships help cover the cost of tuition and student housing, as applicable.

How to Apply:

Please note that this scholarship program is open to employees and children of employees of NCBFAA Regular Member firms ONLY. This includes high school seniors, as well as students or employees, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree with an accredited college or university. The applicant should be intending to or already pursuing a career in Customs Brokerage, Freight Forwarding or a related field, such as international trade and supply chain management.

To apply, you can access the application and scholarship rules on our NCBFAA website here, or simply request this information by e-mailing [email protected].

Then return your completed application by Feb. 28, 2024, with the following:

• Typed, double-spaced essay of 1,000-2,000 words, including a detailed bibliography, on the topic: “What are the key steps an organization should take to ensure that training, auditing, and engagement with a licensed customs broker and the sharing of industry information are effectively relayed to all employees, as well as properly documented to substantiate compliance with the updated customs broker regulations per 19 CFR 111.28?”
• Employment verification letter from NCBFAA regular member firm indicating that the candidate or candidate's parent is so employed.
• Proof of acceptance to, or current enrollment in, an accredited college or university, your class year (e.g., high school senior, undergraduate freshman, sophomore, etc.), and major area of study.
• Short (100 words or less) personal statement on your career goals.

All candidates must submit their applications postmarked no later than Feb. 29, 2024, to NCBFAA Scholarship, 8601 Georgia Avenue, #612, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. You may email your essay to [email protected]; however, you must provide a hard copy of the supporting materials before we will consider your eligibility for the competition.

The NCBFAA Scholarship Committee will select the winners and announce the awards by the second week in March 2024. The awardees will be notified by e-mail. NCBFAA will cover the cost of the roundtrip flight and one night stay for the individual awardees to be recognized during the 51st NCBFAA Annual Conference at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 14-17, 2024.

Don’t delay! Pursue this scholarship opportunity today!

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NCBFAA Welcomes New Members!

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome the following members who have recently joined our association:

• AS Kirkland Inc., Woodridge, Illinois; Andrea Kirkland, President (email: [email protected])
• CNT Logistics, Knoxville, Tennessee; John Mims, Partner (email: [email protected]).  
• CorTrans Logistics, LLC, Johns Creek, Georgia; Katie Frost, Director of Transportation (email: [email protected])
• D Manganelli Logistics Inc., Doral, Florida; Gretchen Marichal, Vice President (email: [email protected])
• Draco Freight Logistics Corporation, Miami, Florida; Leonardo Capra, President (email: [email protected])
• ESY Customs Brokers Inc., City of Industry, California; Eugene Yu, CEO (email: [email protected])
• GAF U.S. Customs Brokers Corp., Laredo, Texas; Gerardo Parra, President (email: [email protected])
• Intercustoms LLC, Laredo, Texas; Luis Montes de Oca (email: [email protected])
• International Trade and Customs Specialists, Inc., Laredo, Texas; Susan Ampudia (email: [email protected])
• Jo-Anne Daniels dba Trade Resources & Associates, Hollow Rock, Tennessee; Jo-Anne Daniels, President (email: [email protected])
• Mely.ai Solutions Inc., Montreal, Canada; Edward Ko, CEO (email: [email protected])
• NUCO Logistics, Inc., Houston, Texas; Noushin Shamsili, CEO & President (email: [email protected])
• Watermark Trade Inc., Panama City, Florida; Tracy Fetrow, Senior VP, Trade Services (email: [email protected])

Please join us in giving AS Kirkland, CNT Logistics, CorTrans Logistics, D Manganelli Logistics, Draco Freight Logistics, ESY Customs Brokers, GAF U.S. Customs Brokers, Intercustoms, International Trade and Customs Specialists, Jo-Anne Daniels dba Trade Resources & Associates, Mely.ai Solutions, NUCO Logistics, and Watermark Trade a warm welcome! We're so excited to have these firms join our organization and we are happy to assist in any way we can!

In addition, NCBFAA would like to highlight the new corporate name for Regular Member North Star World Trade Services, Inc. which recently became Radiant World Trade Services, Inc., Mendota Heights, Minnesota (Melissa Birch, Compliance Division Manager, email: [email protected]). 

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Follow NCBFAA on Social Media!

NCBFAA is expanding our social media presence in 2024 to inform our members. We post notifications about valuable training and conferences, celebrate member achievements and link to informative news posts about NCBFAA and the industry.

Follow us to keep up with news you can use!

X Twitter: @NCBFAA  

LinkedIn: National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCBFAAFacebook

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NCBFAA Seeks Regular Members to Join Media Committee

NCBFAA is looking for people from Regular Member companies who are passionate about marketing, media relations, social media, and sharing the NCBFAA story in new and innovative ways to join and lead our Media Committee. Specifically, we need two Media Committee co-chairs—one young professional and one industry veteran, and two additional committee members. Please send your expression of interest to NCBFAA Webmaster and Social Media Manager Susie Bailey at [email protected]. Interested parties will be reviewed by NCBFAA Leadership for approval.

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WCO Releases Exploratory Study on A Possible Strategic Review of the Harmonized System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) recently released its Exploratory Study on A Possible Strategic Review of the Harmonized System. While the current HS still works as the trade classification system, improvements to it would be “highly desirable and beneficial” to both customs administrations and the trade.

The study considers a range of possibilities to either reduce the complexity of the HS or to provide tools that mitigate some of that complexity.

“Looking to the future, many of the demands on the HS that are emerging from the whole-of-government and international policy spaces will also strain the HS and, in many cases, the HS will not be able to meet those demands as they require ways of classifying goods that go beyond the scope of the HS as it stands,” WCO said in the review summary.

“The future of the HS is assured, but, with the inputs of users, we can look at making it even stronger,” WCO said in Jan. 18 press release.

The 31-page public version of the interim report is available here.

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Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) Renewals for Trade Participants

The Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) documents and formalizes the security interface between Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and external automated systems. In accordance with implementation of the CBP Information Systems Security Policy, all trade participants who transmit electronic data directly to CBP's Automated Systems are required to have a signed Interconnection Security Agreement (ISA) on file with CBP.

ISAs are valid for three years. CBP said trade participants should plan to submit a renewal six months prior to the expiration date, or when changes occur to the company’s legal name or data origination/physical address, to ensure continuity of data connectivity, and to prevent service delays when requesting updates to the data connection.

• For MQIPT, Lan to Lan, sFTP, DIS/web services users, complete the eISA.  
• For MPLS/MQ users, complete the MPLS ISA. (“Download the MPLS ISA form, complete the document, and have it digitally signed by a corporate officer of your company,” CBP said. Email the digitally-signed PDF to [email protected].)

An ISA is not required from a trade participant who files electronic data to CBP's Automated Systems through a Service Center or Value Added Network (VAN), which subsequently transmits the data to CBP on behalf of the trade participant (the obligation to provide an ISA rests with the Service Center or VAN).

For general questions about the ISA, contact [email protected].

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Senators Call for ‘Strong and Urgent’ Government Action to Thwart Illegal Seafood Imports

A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), renewed their call for NOAA Fisheries to strengthen and expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) “to provide consumers with confidence that the imported seafood they purchase....is legally harvested and truthfully represented.” In a letter to the Commerce Secretary and NOAA Administrator, the 10 senators outlined their vision for SIMP which includes expanding coverage to eventually all seafood.

In November, NOAA withdrew a proposed rule to expand and improve SIMP. Since then, the agency has embarked on an effort “to reimagine SIMP,” engaging in listening sessions and other outreach to stakeholders as it begins a new rulemaking. The senators criticized the Commerce Department for withdrawing the rule in the face of increased scrutiny of illegal seafood imports and asked for details on the process and timing for developing a new rule.

The Senate letter echoed previous recommendations, such as including forced labor as a criterion for species inclusion in SIMP, strengthening implementation through improved audits, and “maximizing the utility of the import data...by harmonizing the data standards and entry fields.”

Illegal seafood imports gained renewed attention following an exposé of blatant illegality by Chinese fishing vessels by the Outlaw Ocean Project and New Yorker magazine.

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Russian Seafood Ban Toolkit Now Available!

NCBFAA Members: To help you navigate the challenges of the Russian Seafood Ban, visit the RAC's new Russian Seafood Ban Toolkit. There you will find links to key documents, a Timeline of events and Frequently Asked Questions. We will update the Toolkit as developments occur, so be sure to check back from time to time.

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CBP Reminds Customs Brokers of TSR and Annual Permit User Fee Deadlines

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding customs brokers that the 2024 Customs Broker Triennial Status Report (TSR) must be submitted to the agency by no later than Feb. 29. Similarly, the annual customs broker permit user fee due date for the 2024 calendar year is Feb. 9.

Triennial Status Report

The 2024 Customs Broker Triennial Status Report (TSR) must be submitted by each entity holding a valid customs broker's license (not revoked or canceled) issued any time prior to the 2024 calendar year, whether it may be a license for an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or association. 

The TSR must be submitted online via the eCBP portal. A Login.gov ID allows customs brokers to file their own status report and one organization status report. Individual customs brokers may not use their login.gov ID to file another individual’s status report. 

Customs brokers DO NOT need to report Broker Continuing Education credit hours in the 2024 Triennial Status Report, CBP said.

Failure to file a TSR by Feb. 29 will result in the suspension of the customs broker’s license by operation of law on March 1, 2024. Avoid suspension, log on and submit at eCBP portal no later than Feb. 29.

Annual Permit User Fee

The annual customs broker permit user fee due date for the 2024 calendar year is Friday, Feb. 9. Each customs broker holding a national permit as of Dec. 31, 2023, must submit a 2024 user fee of $174.80 by Feb. 9 to maintain the permit in calendar year 2024 and prevent permit revocation.

This year CBP has automated the annual user fee payment process through the eCBP portal. Users will log in using a Login.gov account. The eCBP portal is available for 2024 permit user fee submissions through Feb. 9.

eCBP Portal Information

eCBP accepts credit card and debit card payments. For eCBP portal technical assistance, contact the Rev Mod Service Desk (RMSD) at [email protected], or call (800) 366-8732, ext. 4670.

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CBP Deploys Forced Labor Updates to ACE Protest Set Jan. 27

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Saturday, Jan. 27, deployed updates to ACE Protest to automate Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)-related reviews.

Following this deployment, CBP said protest filers will notice changes to the ACE Protest user interface (UI). Specifically, filers protesting a Notice of Exclusion for UFLPA will be able to contest CBP exclusion decision via the ACE Protest tool, the agency said.

More information about the process overview for protests requesting UFLPA reviews is available in this CSMS.

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ALERT: USDA Ready for Mandatory Electronic Organic Import Certificate March 19

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) confirmed that the mandatory electronic Organics Import Certificate filing requirement will take place on March 19, as planned. There will not be a delay, even though some software vendors reportedly may not complete the necessary programming for the OR2 Message Set in time. 

An NOP Import Certificate is required for any product that is described and labeled as organic. A message set will be required for all organic products.

Tariffs are flagged as either AM7 (an organic message set may be required) or AM8 (an organic message set is required). AM7 tariff subheadings include both organic and conventional products, while AM8 is a specific breakout for organic products only.

Currently, there are more than 6,000 flagged tariffs. Over the next 6 months, AMS plans to reduce the number of flagged tariffs by 2,200.

Although AMS says they will do "soft enforcement" initially, they plan to monitor the filings and will follow-up with brokers/importers if a Message Set is not filed for organic imports.

The NCBFAA RAC provides the following Q&A to help you plan for the March 19 implementation.

Q: What if my software programming for OR2 is not complete?

A: If your programming is not complete, you will have the option of filing the OR1 Message Set, which accepts full information from an NOP Import Certificate. OR1 requires more manual data entry but is a useful stop-gap option until your OR2 programming is complete. Upload in DIS is not required.

Q: I received a paper Import Certificate from a supplier in Japan. It doesn't have the 21-character number that the OR2 Message Set requires. What should I do?

A: OR1 Message Set is also the option if you receive a paper certificate from an organic equivalent country, including the EU, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. Import Certificates from these countries will have a number with 4 or 5 characters, which will not be accepted in OR2. 

Q: How can I tell if the Import Certificate is an electronic Certificate generated in the Integrity Database?

A: The electronic Import Certificate generated in the Integrity Database has 21 characters and should be filed using the OR2 Message Set. 

Q: How do I file a disclaim?

A: If the HTS is flagged AM7 and your product is not organic, file Disclaim Code A. If the HTS is flagged AM8, you must file a Message Set.

Q: What if the importer does not have an Organic Certificate but the invoice describes it as organic?

A: You need to go back to the importer to let them know the product cannot be sold, marketed, or labeled as organic without an NOP Certificate. Since you, the broker, will be filing a disclaim for the AM7-flagged tariff, you want to make sure the importer understands this so that you are not in a position of filing a disclaim to allow the entry of a product that is being falsely marketed as organic.

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FDA Highlights Innovative Supply Chain Technology in New Video Series

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the first video in an educational series focusing on food companies’ use of tech-enabled traceability. The first video highlights Supply Chain Technology, showcasing five companies who participated in FDA’s Low- or No-Cost Tech-Enabled Technology Challenge.

The video demonstrates various approaches to low- or no-cost traceability technology, offering a valuable resource for food producers, importers, and other stakeholders.

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BIS Expands Controls Against Russia and Belarus

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) strengthened its controls against Russia and Belarus through a final rule, effective Jan. 23. Changes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) include:

• Addition of more than 90 six-digit HS codes to the list of items requiring a license export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) to Russia or Belarus. Examples of items added include certain chemicals, lubricants, metals, aircraft, spacecraft, and certain parts of these items. 
• Widening of controls on certain EAR99 antennas, antenna reflectors, and parts thereof to require a license when these items are going to Iran and Russia, including when produced abroad with U.S. technology or software.
• Removal of de minimis eligibility for the lowest-level military spacecraft-related items, such as .y items, when those items are incorporated into foreign made items for export from abroad or reexport to Russia or Belarus.
• Clarification of Russia, Belarus, Crimea, and related parts of the EAR.

A summary of the changes can be read in this BIS press release.

Freight forwarders should reach out to their exporter customers with concerns regarding licensing authority for shipments.

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CBP NCSD Virtual Trade Forum 2024 – Save the Date!

The Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising Branch of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) National Commodity Specialist Division has announced the 4th Annual Virtual Trade Forum on April 3-4.

This year’s agenda is focused on the Office of Trade’s Green Trade strategy and other Trade initiatives. We are looking to include a bi-directional panel of speakers from other Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the Census Bureau, along with speakers from the Trade. Please let CBP know if you are interested in joining this panel to share any stories and lessons learned for how your company implemented environmentally sustainable business practices, including importing sustainable products. The agency said that due to time constraints the panel will be limited.

If you are interested in speaking - or having someone from your company speak - on this panel, email NISA Sandra Walia at [email protected] no later than Feb. 12.

CBP said the formal invite with the registration notice will be sent out soon.

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In Case You Missed the NCBFAA POA Handbook Webinar

In case you missed NCBFAA’s informative Dec. 7 POA Handbook webinar, you can listen to the recording here. The webinar provided members with a desktop-level review of the handbook content, including how to get the most value from the book, why we made certain updates, and thoughts from the NCBFAA Customs Committee leadership regarding the handbook.

Please note that you will need your POA handbook in hand to get the most from the webinar recording. Thus we strongly encourage you to order this “must have” publication as soon as possible by clicking here.

The price for NCBFAA members is $250 per Handbook or $200 per book for orders of 5 or more (plus shipping charges). The non-member price is $350 per Handbook or $300 per book for orders of 5 or more (plus shipping). ATTN MEMBERS: please order using your individual login credentials!

The POA Handbook (Fourth Edition) incorporates recent regulatory changes, as well as a current and exhaustive catalogue of CBP regulations, rulings, decisions, and guidance for reference. The handbook also explains the reason for the POA and the relationship it creates, addresses the activities a POA covers, provides a detailed guide to complete and execute the POA, discusses how to avoid and correct the most common errors, and explains the appropriate maintenance and recordkeeping of the POA. NCBFAA has also updated our online POA and Terms and Conditions forms.

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Transport, Logistics and Trade Sector Updates of The Week

Here is a summary of the latest legislative and regulatory transport, logistics and trade sector updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Transportation Counsel firm Venable:

Red Sea Attacks Impact Chinese Trade

Various news media on Jan. 21 reported on the impacts that the ongoing Red Sea attacks have had on China’s export-dependent economy. Chinese exporters have expressed concerns about increased ocean freight costs cutting into their profit margins and pushing companies to seek alternative countries for production needs, such as India, Turkey, and Vietnam. Disruptions from the Red Sea attacks will be further compounded by the temporary close of factories in China for the upcoming Lunar New Year in February. Logistics companies at the port of Ningbo-Zhoushan are also reporting container shortages due to the delayed voyages.

The U.S. and U.K. are continuing military naval operations to secure the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden regions. The EU reportedly will proceed with establishing its own naval operations in the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping, but details are still being finalized. In response to these developments, China’s envoy to the European Union expressed concern that tensions in the region will likely escalate because of the current U.S. and U.K. operations.

DOT Convenes Supply Chain Stakeholder Call on Red Sea Disruptions

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy recently convened stakeholders from supply chain industries and federal government to provide updates and hear concerns from industry about supply chain impacts and safety concerns. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) provided an update on its coordination with the Department of Defense and process for disseminating alerts and advisories about potential or observed maritime threats. The Federal Maritime Commission informed stakeholders of the upcoming public hearing on Feb. 7, while industry stakeholders provided insights on the operational impacts and increasing costs.

FMC Publishes Additional Details about Red Sea Hearing

The FMC issued a Federal Register notice with additional details about the informal public hearing to be held on February 7, 2024, and continuing to Feb. 8, if needed, to discuss conditions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Stakeholders who wish to present testimony at the hearing must email a request to testify by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 31. Likewise, any written comments must be submitted by email to the Commission by the same deadline. 

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Customs and Cross-Border Trade Regulatory Updates of The Week

Here is a summary of the latest customs and cross-border trade regulatory updates brought to you by our NCBFAA Customs Counsel firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg:

Forced Labor Enforcement Should be Expanded Beyond China, Lawmakers Say

A House committee is urging the Biden administration to strengthen enforcement of a forced labor law targeting imports from China, including by stepping up scrutiny of shipments from other countries. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act requires Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to presume that all goods manufactured wholly or in part in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region are made with forced labor and therefore prohibited from entry into the U.S. The UFLPA specifies tomatoes, cotton, and polysilicon as high-priority sectors for UFLPA enforcement, and products from aluminum to batteries to tires have been added as sectors of concern since the law’s enactment. See full article here.

Apparel Export Competitiveness of Five Major Sources to be Examined

The International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into the export competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan. See full article here.

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Events Calendar

• FMC Hearing on Red Sea Shipping Conditions, Surface Transportation Board Hearing Room, 395 E Street, SW, Washington, D.C., Feb. 7. For more information and registration, click here.

• AirCargo 2024, Louisville, Kentucky, Feb. 11-13. Register here.

• CBP Webinar: Overview of UFLPA and Forced Labor for Small Businesses, Feb. 15, 1 p.m. ET. Register here.

• CESAC, In-Person Only, USDA APHIS Conference Center, Riverdale, Maryland, March 5-6 (March 5 – Trade Only).

• CBP Webinar: Trade Violation Reporting (TVR), March 12, 3 p.m. ET. Register here.

• CBP Webinar: EAPA Overview and How to File an EAPA Allegation, March 13, 3 p.m. ET. Register here.

• CBP Webinar: EAPA for Small Businesses, March 14, 3 p.m. ET. Register here.

• CBP 2024 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 26-28. Register here.

• BIS Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy, Washington, D.C., March 27-29. Register here.

• NCBFAA 51st Annual Conference, Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 14-17. Register here.

• CIFFA’s 75th Anniversary Conference and Trade Show, Westin Toronto Airport, Toronto, Canada, April 23-24, 2024. Registration and Details here.

• CESAC, In-Person Only, USDA APHIS Conference Center, Riverdale, Maryland, June 25-26 (June 25 - Trade Only).

• CESAC, In-Person Only, USDA APHIS Conference Center, Riverdale, Maryland, Oct. 22-23 (Oct. 22 - Trade Only).

As a service to our members, NCBFAA Leadership engages in an enormous amount of internal work and external engagement with the U.S. government and other members of our trade community. We report these meetings as an FYI to our membership. All meetings with an asterisk (*) are for Leadership or invite-only. For more information about other meetings, please contact us.

• Monday - *Officers Call, *Legislative Committee Leadership Call, *Customs Committee Leadership Call
• Tuesday - NCBFAA Staff Meeting
• Wednesday - *APN Committee Call
• Thursday - *21CCF Task Force Call
• Friday - *Week in Review Board Leadership Call

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