CPSC has Started Accepting Requests for the eFiling of CPSC Certificates
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now accepting registration requests for importers interested in testing in the CPSC eFiling systems. There will be access to up to 2,000 importers to test the systems. The eFiling will have a voluntary start up this summer after the Beta test of the system is over. CPSC is already sharing access to the Product Registry to software providers to prepare for the implementation. The announcement was made in a Federal Register Notice that can be found at: www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-06-04/pdf/2024-12194.pdf
Applications to join the program and establish a business account can be submitted to get on the waiting list for when the Beta test ends. The application must be filed by the importer. Once the application is approved the importer can invite other users such as Customs brokers to support their participation in the program. Carmichael has been working with our software provider to be ready when any of our customers are approved and can then invite us to develop support for the test. This a test program and the actual implementation is scheduled to begin when the final rule is completed in early 2025. More information on the program can be found at: www.CPSC.gov/eFiling
CBP Announces the Five Approved Accreditors for Broker Continuing Education
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced five firms to be accreditors for the CBP Continuing Education (CE) program. The accreditors will help set standards for the education process and will approve applications for programs to qualify and the number of hours allowed for each pro/gram. The five selected accreditors are:
E-Merchants Trade Council/Global Trade Professional Alliance/Practera
International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)
National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) Educational Institute(NEI)
Once the program is formally running, CBP will announce a prorated number of points to allow for the late start of the program this year. More information on the Broker Continuing Education program can be found on CBP’s website at: www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/continuing-education
FMC is Investigating if Carriers are Violating the end of Box Rules Order
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued a cease-and-desist
order on February 13, 2024, for carriers and terminals to honor the decision
that motor carriers have the right to choose the chassis that they can use in
four U.S. Ports, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Chicago, Memphis, and Savannah. They have heard reports that the decision is
not being completely followed in those ports and have opened an investigation
to examine if the members of the Ocean Carriers Equipment Management
Association (OCEMA) have changed their policies and practices to comply with
the FMC decision.