Traders Tell CBP They Need More Info on Policy Changes
At the southern border, not every document can be processed electronically yet, but they're working on it, the CBP Laredo Field Office told traders on a conference call May 1. Documents including meat certificates, phytosanitary certificates, bovine paperwork, and CITES certificates are still needed in paper form. Assistant Director of Field Operations Armando Taboada asked those listening to make sure the drivers and runners coming to the Texas port wear masks. “I know Gov. [Greg] Abbott relaxed a little bit of the requirements,” he said, but added, “It’s for our own health and safety, for all of us.” He said most drivers are wearing masks, but there are a few stragglers.
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Taboada told a questioner he didn't know when CBP would receive final rules on how to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which is to enter into force in two months. “I’m hoping they give us at least a 30-day notice or a two-week notice,” he said. “We don’t want to be scrambling at the end.”
While there have not been significant disruptions to cargo processing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic response measures, Taboada said the process of rolling out the Unified Cargo Processing for exports headed to Mexico has stalled. “Because of the spacing issue, we are kind of holding back a little bit,” he said, referring to the social distancing in place. For UCP, it's expected that Mexican Customs officials and CBP officials work side by side.
In addition to issues with USMCA, there were several times on the call that traders were either confused about U.S. policy, or in the dark about whether it's about to change. One asked if imports arriving in May or June would be eligible for duty deferral, as those in March and April were for some companies. So far, there has been no word that would happen (see 2004300048).