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ISF Outreach Event Schedule
It is recommended that everyone involved with the importation of ocean freight should attend one of the Importer Security Filing (ISF, "10 + 2") outreach events. During the events that were held in August, Customs advised that there will be additional outlets for accessing this information. Customs plans to videotape the September 29 event in Washington DC, which will be available on their website. Obviously, Customs hopes to have the event well attended by parties with questions about ISF and its implementation.
Events were held in the following cities in August 2009:
Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Seattle/Tacoma, WA - Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Boston, MA - Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Houston, TX - Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Events are scheduled in the following cities in September 2009:
Baltimore, MD - Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Long Beach, CA - Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Miami, FL - Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Charleston, SC - Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Chicago, IL - Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Oakland/San Francisco, CA - Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Washington, DC - Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Norfolk, VA - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
New York, NY - Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Registration for upcoming events is available through links presented in the online notice. Customs encourages interested parties to pre-register, as space is limited. (Editor's note: the LA meeting was filled within a few days.)
The full text of the notice can be accessed online:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/09_outreach_schl.xml
ISF Bond Guidelines
As of press time, the industry is still waiting for the ISF bond guidelines to be published by CBP. Latest word from Customs is that they are expected to be finalized in September.
CBP Publishes ISF Brochure
In August, CBP published an informational brochure titled, "Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements." The brochure provides an overview of ISF and links to additional information.
The CBP brochure can be accessed online:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/
import_sf_carry.ctt/import_sf_carry.pdf
Census Eliminates Requirement of SSN to File
An interim final rule in the August 05, 2009 edition of the Federal Register will "eliminate the Social Security Number (SSN) as an Identification Number in the Automated Export System (AES)."
The interim final rule is effective September 4, 2009, with implementation of its provisions on December 3, 2009.
Prior to this amendment to the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR), either an EIN (Employer Identification Number - available to businesses and individuals), DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet Number - available to business entities only), or SSN (available to individuals) could be entered when reporting electronic export information via AES or AESDirect. With the implementation of this amendment to the FTR, all U.S. Principal Parties in Interest (USPPI) or U.S. authorized agents who reside or have an office located in the U.S. must report either an EIN or DUNS. The rule states that "former SSN filers who want to use a DUNS rather than an EIN for identification purposes, must first obtain an EIN from the [Internal Revenue Service's website] and apply to Dun & Bradstreet for a DUNS."
The full text of the Federal Register Notice can be accessed online:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-18728.htm
or:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-18728.pdf
National Food Safety Education Month
September has been designated National Food Safety Education Month.
The government's Food Safety webpage has links to information on general food safety, on specific commodities, and for specific groups.
There is also a link to the Food Safety A to Z reference guide.
The government's Food Safety website can be accessed:
http://www.foodsafety.gov/~fsg/september.html
Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009
The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2749) has moved from the House of Representatives to the Senate.
This bill will require all facilities and importers to register and pay an annual fee.
A few of the additional food safety activities that this registration fee is expected to fund include the following:
- Increased inspections of facilities;
- Creation of a fast-track import process for food meeting security standards;
- Greater coordination between international, federal, state and local agencies;
- Expansion of FDA's laboratory testing capability.
A general summary of H.R. 2749 in the form that it left the House can be accessed:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090729/hr2749_floorsummary.pdf
And a more detailed summary:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090729/hr2749_sectionsummary.pdf
The version of the Act as adopted by the House can be accessed:
http://www.rules.house.gov/111/SpecialRules/hr2749/111_substitute_hr2749.pdf
Link of the Month: CBP Trade Outreach site
An excellent source of links to topics and information from CBP:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Compliance eNewsletter,
please contact Paul Codere from the Customs Brokerage Department. |
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