2014 - Page 5 of 6 - Customs & International Trade Law Firm

PortMiami Tunnel Opening Celebration!

Today was the historic PortMiami Tunnel Opening (where you can watch my video of the first 3 trucks that officially entered the port tunnel)! A better video can be found here, courtesy of Local 10.

As the Miami Herald reported today, four long years and $915 million dollars went into this tunnel that will now allow both cruise traffic and trucks to bypass downtown Miami and instead, head straight to the highway.

Much needed relief for residents. And… No Tolls!

Perhaps one of the more touching moments was when all of the 900+ workers were celebrated and extremely proud exiting the tunnel.

Governor Rick Scott, Mayor Gimenez, Mayor Thomas Regalado, former Port Director Bill Johnson and new Port Director Juan Kuryla among additional politicians attended and spoke about the massive job opportunities the tunnel opening (has had and) will have on Miami as well as the fact that the project was on time, and on budget.

The tunnel is supposed to officially open to the public later this month.

The dredging continues – and estimated to be complete by 2015 in anticipation for Post Panamax cargo ships.

What’s a celebration without selfies? Check them out below along with a great shot of the new tunnel. I’m ready for more cargo traffic – what are your thoughts on the new tunnel and PortMiami?

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:29:35-04:00May 19, 2014|Import, Jobs|0 Comments

Video Interview: Discussing FDA Regulation of E-Cigarettes with LXBN TV

Following up on my recent post on the FDA deeming e-cigarettes tobacco, I had the opportunity to speak with Colin O’Keefe of LXBN on the subject. In the interview, I explain exactly what the FDA has done and share my thoughts on how the Proposed Rule will impact the e-cigarette industry. Let me know your thoughts. […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2015-12-01T07:32:36-05:00May 16, 2014|FDA Issues, Tobacco|0 Comments

SBDC

As you would see, we develop Export Marketing Plans for manufacturers and service providers (The products or services must be produced in Florida).

It’s also for companies that are new-to-export or infrequent exporters.

They must also be in business for a minimum of 2 years, have a minimum of five employees and their annual sales must be within $500,000 to $10 million.

The cost to the business owner is $500 and upon acceptance of the Export Marketing Plan, there are Overseas Opportunities (documented on flyer) for the client.

The attached flyer has all the information and at the bottom, there is the on-line link to the website where companies can complete an application and submit to us.

We would appreciate if you can share this with your clients for us please.

SBDC

By Jennifer Diaz|2021-03-26T14:35:50-04:00May 16, 2014|Export|0 Comments

E-Cigs “Deemed” Tobacco Under New FDA Proposed Rule

On April 24, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced what some call a “long- awaited” proposed regulation that will impact the future of the currently booming e-cigarette industry. Currently, e-cigarettes are not a part of FDA’s purview and have no FDA oversight – FDA’s proposed rule intends to change this in a big way.

How is Tobacco Defined Currently?

Section 201(rr) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), (21 U.S.C. 321(rr)),as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act), currently defines the term “tobacco product,” as ” any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product… “. The Tobacco Control Act permitted FDA to regulate cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, roll-your-own tobacco, and smokeless tobacco automatically as “tobacco product” under the FD&C Act. Section 901 of the FD&C Act gives the FDA leeway to include “any other tobacco products that the Secretary by regulation deems to be subject to this chapter” and therefore subject to FDA regulation under the FD&C Act.

“Deeming”

The FDA is proposing to “deem” products meeting the statutory definition of “tobacco product,” except accessories of a proposed deemed tobacco product, to be subject to the FD&C Act. The FDA proposed 2 options for public comment. Option 1 extended the definition of “tobacco product” in the FD&C Act to “electronic cigarettes, some or all cigars, pipe tobacco, nicotine gels, waterpipe (hookah) tobacco and dissolvables not […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:21:19-04:00April 25, 2014|E-Cigarette, FDA Issues, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|2 Comments

Export Penalties Already Total $184 MILLION in 2014 – Want to Learn Who, What, Why & How to Stay Compliant?

Within just the first nine weeks of 2014, almost $182 million dollars in penalties have been assessed against companies for OFAC and ITAR export violations. Within those same nine weeks alone, companies have been ordered to pay the Department of Treasury almost $25 million dollars more than was ordered in all of 2013. Simply put, compliance is critical, and non-compliance is costly!

Don’t miss this update on export enforcement actions stemming from a busy 2013 and start of 2014.

The webinar, hosted by the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), will take place tomorrow, April 24, 2014, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. (EST).

During this webinar, my colleague Perry Sofferman and I will discuss:

What do you have to do (or not do) to get a $20 million dollar ITAR penalty from the DDTC? A review and explanation of the Esterline case.
OFAC has already issued $161,898,750 in total penalty amounts through March 6, 2014. This amount significantly surpasses the total amount of penalties issued in 2013, only $137,075,560!
Learn why Ubiquiti Networks, Inc. agreed to a $504,225 settlement with OFAC for apparent violations of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.
Learn why Weatherford agreed to a $91,026,450 settlement with OFAC in 2013.
We will explore DDTC and OFAC cases to help you determine what preventive actions you must take to help avoid having to write those checks, or perhaps even suffer worse consequences.
This webinar is geared towards exporters and forwarders who want to assure they learn […]

By Jennifer Diaz|2022-07-08T16:25:35-04:00April 23, 2014|Customs Expert, Export, Pre-compliance|0 Comments

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