The US Trade Representative published Federal Register Notice 83 FR 67463 on December 28, 2018, announcing the decision to grant certain exclusions from the 25% duty assessed on goods from China (Tranche 1). The 25% duty is in response to the Section 301 investigation of China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual […]
Trade Alerts
TFTEA’s Duty Drawback Changes in Effect
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a final rule announcing regulatory changes to duty drawback that are part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (TFTEA). The Modernized Drawback Final Rule includes several changes, including liberalizing merchandise substitution standards, recordkeeping requirements, and drawback for excise tax. Most of the final rule […]
Deadline for Truck Section 321 E-manifest Requirement Approaches
Beginning January 1, 2019, commercial trucks carrying Section 321 goods will be required to file an advance electronic manifest. Previously, shipments qualifying for Section 321 were exempt from filing an e-manifest as part of a policy decision made by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A growth in eCommerce over the years coupled with an […]
Imports of Certain Composite Wood Products to Require TSCA Certification Title VI
Beginning March 22, 2019, US imports of regulated composite wood products must be certified and labeled by a third-party as compliant with Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Previously, the goods could be certified under the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Airborne Toxic Control Measures (ATCM) phase II emission standards. After the […]
US-China Meeting Results in Section 301 Tariff Truce
President Trump and President Xi of China concluded a “highly successful meeting” on Saturday resulted in a moratorium on the Section 301 tariff increases that were slated for effect on January 1, 2019. The tariff increase from 10% to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese-origin goods, or tranche 3, is paused for 90 days. At […]
First Signs of 2019 Ocean Cargo Outlook: General Rate Increases (GRIs)
Major steamship lines have advised of an intended 2019 GRI for all eastbound cargo moving from the Far East and India to the US and Canada. The GRI comes directly before the congestion of Chinese New Year, which occurs in early February and often lasts for several weeks. Over the last few months, imports have […]
UPS Freight Phases Out Service in Anticipation of Strike
UPS Freight, UPS’ less-than-truckload (LTL) unit, may strike after November 12th unless the union and management can come to a contract agreement. Employees of UPS Freight will vote on a proposed contract between November 9th and 11th. This division is operated separately from other units, so there’s no anticipated impact on UPS express or ground […]
Canadian Seaports Experience Dwell Time Delays
The Canadian seaports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Halifax are experiencing delays resulting from increased dwell time (waiting time for loading onto rail). Vancouver dwell times are ten to fifteen days, and Prince Rupert dwell times are five to ten days. On the East Coast, dwell times in Halifax are approximately seven days. The delays […]
LA/Long Beach to Launch PierPass 2.0, Fee to be Charged at All Hours
PierPass, the system used by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to mitigate truck congestion at the ports, will change next month. An appointment-based system with a single flat fee for daytime and nighttime container moves will replace PierPass, and the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) previously assessed only on daytime moves. Beginning November […]
Montreal Gateway Terminals Extends Gate Hours & Associated Fee
Montreal Gateway Terminals (MGT) recently provided notice of extended truck gate operating hours. The new hours come with an associated fee of $35 per full inbound or outbound container. Shippers should anticipate that the fees will be passed along in new trucking rates. The fee will help support the operational needs relating to the extended […]
