U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a page containing information on the government shutdown. The page contains an Unemployment Compensation FAQ and outlines the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Procedures for a Federal Government Shutdown.
CBP East Coast Trade Symposium Still Open
As this newsletter went to press registrations for CBP's East Coast Trade Symposium were still being accepted. This is rather unusual as registration (opened on September 18th) to this very popular event has sold out with 1-2 days of opening in the past. Registration is limited to a maximum of 3 participants from each company.
The East Coast Trade Symposium will be held on October 24-25 and costs $108.00 to attend. The theme for the Trade Symposium is "Increasing Economic Competitiveness Through Global Partnerships and Innovation." CBP has reserved a block of rooms at the Washington Hilton for this event.
For more information or to register for this event please follow this link: CBP East Coast Trade Symposium Information and Registration
CBP ABI Client Representative Offices Closed
CBP has announced (CSMS #13-000492) that all Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Client Representatives Offices are closed as a result of the current U.S. government shutdown.
To report urgent production technical issues with any automated system during this closure, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 1-866-530-4172. All other issues will be handled once the Client Representative offices re-open.
To read the entire CSMS please follow this link: CSMS #13-000492 - Closure of ABI Client Representative Offices
GAO Reports on Supply Chain Security
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has published a 51-page report on Supply Chain Security. In summary the GAO found that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could improve cargo security by periodically assessing risks from foreign ports. The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP), both DHS departments, play a big role in ensuring that containers received from foreign ports are secure. CBP's Container Security Initiative (CSI) is just one of the layered security components used to monitor cargo and shipments from foreign origins. (more follows)
To read the entire article or to download a copy of this 51-page report please follow this link: GAO Reports on Supply Chain Security
CBP Posts TSN Highlights
CBP has posted Trade Support Network (TSN) Plenary Session highlights from the meeting held in Washington, D.C. on September 25-26.
The TSN is a group of private sector trade advocates helping CBP build and implement the next-generation system known as the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP's end point for the legacy Automated Commercial System (ACS) is October 1, 2016. At that time CBP anticipates that all data migration will be complete and that all modules of the new ACE system will be functional.
The most recent update includes the following documents, TSN Plenary Session Notes, ACE Plan Forward, Future State of Cargo Release, Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEE's), Entry Summary Validations, Document Image System and Ace Reports, Exports, and presentations from the ITDS/Partner Government Agency panel.
To review or download copies of the TSN documents please follow this link: TSN Plenary Session Documents
ISF Liquidated Damages are a Reality
Unfortunately, we have proof-positive that Importer Security Filing (ISF) liquidated damage cases are in fact being issued. This notice, like other CBP penalties and liquidated damage cases is intimidating and austere...in fact they should be sent in "black envelopes"! Despite having had the opportunity to review an actual ISF liquidated damage case for a client, we believe that CBP has only issued approximately 100 such cases to date.
