Recently announced restrictions on exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) only apply to commercial shipments, and exports to Canada and Mexico are exempt from the policy, said CBP in a memo dated April 9. The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America included the memo in an April 9 email on COVID-19 developments.
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The Canada Border Services Agency should suspend customs liability during the period of deferred customs duties, the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers said in an announcement posted on the Farrow blog. “These are unprecedented times, and the normal and beneficial business practices that underpin the customs broker-client financial relationship now have the potential to negatively impact the intended positive effects of deferral,” it said. “For example, brokers who hold release prior to payment security on behalf of importers may require deposits or payments to mitigate their financial risk.” The CSCB “also requested that there be no claims against importer bonds during this time,” it said. “We believe this gives importers the best chance of benefiting from the government’s decision on deferral in the next three months and beyond, supporting their viability. It also supports customs brokers and the valuable services they provide not only in the context of the accounting and payment process, but for release of goods at a time when trade facilitation is critical to recovery.”
Dubai Customs introduced several temporary measures to help ease pressure on companies impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, according to a March 26 KPMG post. The agency will refund 1% of the customs duty imposed on certain imported goods sold locally and exempt berthing fees for arrivals and departures for certain vessels registered at Dubai's Al Hamriyah Port between March 15 and June 30. It will also revoke the “bank or cash guarantee required to undertake customs broking activities” and will refund guarantees already submitted by brokers and clearing companies.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet April 15, remotely, beginning at 1 p.m., CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by April 14.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is “trying to assess” the impact on its export certification activities of recent decisions by states to close non-essential businesses, the agency said, according to a March 23 update from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. “As of now, we do not have any impacts identified,” APHIS said, as relayed by the NCBFAA. But inquiries on operating status should be directed to local businesses or APHIS offices for the most up-to-date information, it said. “The situation is fluid and we will provide guidance if anything changes,” APHIS said.
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 16-20 in case you missed them.
As more local shelter-in-place orders are issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, brokers and forwarders should examine each order to determine whether their services are exempt, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an email. “However, based upon the Order to Shelter in Place issued by the Public Health Officer of Alameda County, California two days ago, it would seem that the activities of forwarders and customs brokers would fall within the exemption provided, as those activities are essential to keep goods moving in commerce,” it said. Exempted services include “shipping services, companies that supply other essential businesses with supplies necessary to operate or that ship goods or services to residences, and companies that are engaged in public transportation,” it said.
The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of March 11 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):
CBP won't hold the 2020 Trade Symposium March 10-11, the agency said on March 4. “Given the number of cancellations received by trade partners and attendees and the more than two-dozen company travel restrictions that would impact the number of those able to participate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 Trade Symposium,” it said on its website. “The intent of the symposium is to educate and update the attendees on CBP’s trade priorities. We believe that postponing the event to maximize attendance is the most beneficial course of action at this time.” CBP plans to process registration fee refunds shortly, it said.