 | Strategies for Effective Trade Compliance
Michael Laden will deliver the opening keynote address for the annual spring conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) on Friday February 8.
For more information or to register for this event please follow this link: CSCMP Annual Spring Meeting
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| C-TPAT: Soup to Nuts
Michael Laden will present at the October 17, 2013 meeting of the Midwest International Trade Association in Omaha, NE.
For more information or to register please follow this link: Midwest International Trade Association
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Greetings!
The Trade Innovations team is committed to providing timely, accurate, and unique approaches to customs and supply chain security compliance. With the growing complexity of trade compliance rules and regulations in which companies engaged in global trade must be aware, we are passionate in our efforts to keep the trade community informed. It is in that spirit that we offer this newsletter to you. The Trade Update is published on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Trade Innovations team stands ready to assist you and your team with your customs and supply chain security programs. The Principals of Trade Innovations have a broad background in customs compliance and global security and we are confident that our approach will fit your unique challenges and opportunities.
We can be reached via e-mail at info@tradeinnovations.com or at 952.975.9099.
Best Regards,
The Trade Innovations Team
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Trade News BriefsRelevant News for Trade Professionals
CBP Publishes ACE Update
U.S. Customs & Border
U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has published the January 2013 edition of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Update. ACE is CBP's next generation computer system which has basically been under design and development since the late 1990's.
According to CBP, current ACE priorities include Cargo Release, which includes key International Trade Data System (ITDA) initiatives, entry summary edits, resolution of critical system fixes and export processing. (more follows)
To read the entire article, or for an Adobe copy of the CBP ACE Update please follow this link: CBP ACE Update
CBP Publishes 2012 Year in Review CBP has published a summary of their Fiscal Year 2012. According to CBP, they processed more than $2.3 trillion in trade- a 5 percent increase over FY 2011- while enforcing U.S. trade laws that protect the economy, health and safety of the American people. CBP processed nearly 25 million cargo containers through the nation's ports of entry, up about 4 percent from last year. In addition, CBP conducted nearly 23,000 seizures of goods that violate intellectual property rights, with a total retail value of $1.2 billion, representing a 14 percent increase in value over FY 2011. (more follows)
FDA Publishes 2 New Proposed FSMA Rules
 The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed two new rules under its authority of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Additional new rules are expected in the coming months. Adobe copies of these rules can be downloaded by following the links below.
The first FDA Proposed Rule relates to the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption. The second proposed rule concerns risk-based preventive controls. The FDA will be accepting public comments on both rules until May 16, 2013. (more follows) CBP Publishes C-TPAT Documents
CBP has published a series of important new documents that were shared recently at the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Conference on January 7th. The documents published include:
The Conference Agenda
C-TPAT 101
Container Inspection*
Mutual Recognition*
Evidence of Implementation
Internal Conspiracies and PIA
Portal 2.0*
Importer Self Assessment (ISA)
*As this article went to print, the CBP links to the Adobe documents on Container Inspection, Mutual Recognition and Portal 2.0 were not operative. We have reported this to CBP and the links should be functional shortly. (more follows)
To read the entire article or for Adobe copies of the C-TPAT documents shared by CBP, please follow this link: C-TPAT Documents
And the Commissioner is...
 No word yet from the White House on nominees for CBP Commissioner. However, unnamed and highly reliable sources say that screening is in process and a "short-list" has been developed. Candidates are currently being interviewed and some word is expected in the next 30-45 days.
CBP Publishes Frontline
CBP has published a document called CBP's Behind-the-Scenes Trade Enforcers. This 7-page document chronicles the daily activities of a CBP Import Specialist. It is the Import Specialist within CBP that determines if goods are properly classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedules. They also determine if the goods meet all other CBP tests and criteria for admissibility. (more follows)
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C-TPAT Gets a Makeover
 We have recently experienced a significant uptick or resurgence in curiosity about the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. Any number of factors could be driving this renewed interest. It's a good sign and bodes well for U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) who was tasked by former Commissioner Bersin with growing the program from 10,000 to 50,000 members in the coming years. It also comes at a time when the C-TPAT program is getting an extreme makeover. CBP recently introduced Lauren Kaufman as the new C-TPAT Director at the CBP C-TPAT Conference held in early January of this year. Ms. Kaufman will bring a much needed fresh set of eyes to the C-TPAT program now approaching its eleventh year of operation. Ms. Kaufman will also take over the reins just as CBP prepares to roll out the much anticipated C-TPAT Portal 2.0 scheduled for later this year. Her arrival also comes at a time when CBP is under growing pressure from the trade community to significantly increase or enhance the C-TPAT benefits; something that CBP has struggled mightily with in the last decade. This also may be the year that C-TPAT and the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) programs are merged to become one highbred "Trusted Trader" program. While CBP is busy trying to boost participation and membership numbers, members of the trade should take note of the number of companies suspended from C-TPAT since its inception. Since its launch in April of 2002 through November of 2012, a total of 1,035 companies have been suspended from C-TPAT because of a failed validation and 737 companies have been removed or terminated from the program. (more follows) To read the entire article or download an Adobe copy please follow this link: C-TPAT Gets a Makeover |
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We strive to keep the articles and commentary in our newsletter relevant and brief to accommodate your busy schedule. Please feel free to share it with your colleagues by clicking on the "Forward to a Friend" icon found at the bottom of this page. We appreciate your feedback and we are available at your convenience to discuss the impact the ideas discussed may have on your company.
Sincerely,
The Trade Innovations Team
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