SPECIAL MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-017-SEPTEMBER 07,2023

The USTR Extends Current China 301 Exclusions The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced the extension the 352 current existing exclusions that were extended in March of 2022. The USTR will also extend the 77 exclusions granted for Covid -19 related products.  Both sets of exclusions were set to expire on September 30, 2023, and both sets …

MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-016 – AUGUST 28, 2023

Agricultural Marketing Services Announces Changes in Cotton Fees  The Agricultural Marketing services (AMS) issued a Federal Register Noice (FRN) announcing the changes to cotton fees that will be collected for the Cotton Board through entries filed with Customs and Border Protection. The change is an increase in the value assigned to imported cotton.   This is a proposed change that will …

SPECIAL MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-015 – August 04, 2023

CBP Announces User Fees Adjustments U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Federal Register Notice (FRN) announcing that the annual increase in COBRA user fees that include entry merchandise processing fees that will go into effect on October 1, 2023.  The increase will be assessed on entries filed on that date or later. They are not assessed based on …

MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-014 – August 04, 2023

CBP Issues New Instructions on Moving Cargo Held for Forced Labor  U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) with two new instructions for Cargo that has been put on hold for suspicion of being made by forced labor.  Importers can make a request to the Port Director that their detained cargo be moved to …

MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-009 – June 15, 2023

ILWU and PMA Reach a Tentative Contract Agreement The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWWU) and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) have announced that they have Reached a tentative agreement on a new 6-year contract for the West Coast ports. Neither side would release details of the agreement yesterday, but now the ILWU membership will have to ratify the agreement.  …

Special Memo To Clients Issue 23-008 – June 05, 2023

Labor Disruption on the West Coast Last Thursday coastwide contract negotiations between the ILWU and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) reached a breakdown over wage issues. Until Thursday, negotiations had been reported as moving along well. However, negotiations took a significant turn for the worse on Thursday, resulting in a breakdown of talks. The ILWU and PMA are now reportedly …

MEMO TO CLIENTS ISSUE 23-007-MAY 19, 2023

Update on Port Labor Contracts ILWU local 13 in Los Angeles and Long Beach had engaged in job actions in early April. There was a one-day walkout before Easter and the union increased red tagging of chassis entering the terminals which caused delays in picking up container that went one for a week.  These actions ceased leading up to the …