U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Jennifer Diaz Joins Governor Rick Scott in Addressing Businesses in Bogota

On December 4, 2012, I will address companies in Bogota, Colombia to discuss the “Top 10 Tips When Importing into the U.S. to Ensure Compliance.” My particular topic will go into depth on the top costly mistakes I’ve seen importers make, and most importantly, how to avoid them. I will go into compliance with the newly enacted Free Trade Agreement and compliance with other federal government agencies (like U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and more. Importantly, I will address how to effectively deal with the U.S. government, should you have trouble while importing.

The conference is in conjunction with Enterprise Florida’s Trade Mission to Colombia led by Florida’s Governor Rock Scott. The purpose of the half day conference is to address the current environment of big business opportunities in Florida, especially in light of the new U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Other panels include: The U.S. Economy and Investment Opportunities; Rules of Origin & Trade Facilitation (Compliance with the new FTA); Business Opportunities in Infrastructure and Utilities. All panelists will be available for question and answer sessions as well.

Colombia is the fifth largest economy in Latin America, with a population of approximately 45 million. During the last decade, improvements in security and political stability have fostered economic growth and a secure business climate. With 4 percent GDP growth in 2010 and an estimated 4.6 percent growth in 2011, the Colombian market presents unbounded opportunities […]

Don’t Let Your Currency be Seized When Traveling Internationally – TOP TIPS

The holidays are approaching… Do you intend to carry “monetary instruments” when traveling internationally? Read on, these TOP 5 Tips when carrying “monetary instruments” above $10,000 can save you a U.S. Customs Seizure Case.

Here are your top tips to assure you get it right, and you’re not screaming U.S. Customs Seized my Money, Oh No!


1. If you intend to carry over $10,000 in monetary instruments, including travelers checks and U.S. or foreign money, you MUST fill out the required form, FINCEN Form 105. Note, it is PERFECTLY acceptable to travel with currency, you JUST have to report it. Don’t be scared to do so.

2. Review U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s “Currency Reporting” flyer. Make sure you memorize what “monetary instruments” consist of:

  • U.S. or foreign coins and currency;
  • Travelers checks (in any form);
  • Negotiable Instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders – in a transferable form);
  • Incomplete instruments (checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are signed with a payees name omitted;
  • Securities or stock in bearer form (in a transferable form)

3. Make sure you can explain proof of the legitimate source of the money.

4. Make sure you can explain proof of the legitimate intended use of the money.

5. Don’t divide currency for the purpose of evading reporting requirements.

Check out CBP’s recent seizures of currency and DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!:

CBP Reschedules Symposium – November 27-28, 2012

 

Today, CBP announced the U.S. Customs and Border Protection 2012 East Coast Trade Symposium will be held on November 27-28, 2012 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

For those of us that previously registered, we are given the opportunity to pre-register on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 starting at 8:00 am (EST).  Pre-registration is only open to previously registered attendees, but, as an added perk, it is transferable to a company coworker if you can no longer attend. Registration for the general public will open on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 10:00 am (EST).

The in-person registration fee has been increased to $252.00.  All previously paid registration fees ($151.00) have already been refunded, and credits should be seen within 10-14 days.

CLICK HERE to register. CBP updated the agenda here, and general symposium information may be found here.

Seats are limited.  Make sure to register ASAP on Tuesday to retain your spot (or Wednesday to snag a spot).

See you at the symposium!

 

 

Keep Your Shoes ON When Going Through TSA

If you travel often, read on, you’ll be glad you did. When was the last time you had the ability to go through security WITH YOUR SHOES ON? Without taking out your laptop? WITH your jacket on? Without having to take out your liquids?

If this appeals to you, which it definitely did for me, you’ll be pleased to know the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is partnering with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for TSA Pre-Check, an initiative that allows eligible passengers to qualify for expedited screening at participating airports.

U.S. citizens, who are members of a CBP Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS are automatically eligible to participate and receive expedited screening benefits for domestic travel through the TSA Pre-Check initiative. TSA Pre-Check benefits include keeping shoes, light outerwear and belts on, keeping laptops in their cases, and leaving the 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in one’s carry-on during screening through TSA security checkpoints.

Members interested in participating in TSA Pre-Check through their Trusted Traveler program membership must enter their PASS ID into the ‘Known Traveler’ field when booking a flight reservation or saving their PASS ID to their airline’s frequent flyer profile. Members can find their PASS ID either online by accessing their GOES account, or on the back of their membership card in the top-left corner.

When traveling on one of the TSA Pre-Check participating airlines, CBP Trusted Traveler members should remember to provide the airline with their full name, date of birth, and PASS ID […]

CBP Symposium Postponed Due to Weather

Hurricane Sandy is busy disrupting the sunshine state as well as D.C. Breaking news from CBP, the CBP Symposium, due to start this coming Monday, is now postponed. CBP’s message is below. This is a great opportunity for CBP to join the CTPAT conference with the symposium. I hope they do. I’ll keep you advised when the CBP symposium is back on.

Dear Registrants,

Due to concerns over participant safety and potential travel disruptions related to Hurricane Sandy, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has decided to postpone the East Coast Trade Symposium that had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

We apologize for this inconvenience, but due to the strength and breadth of this storm we believe this postponement is the appropriate decision. We do not want to risk the safety of our participants, many of whom would be traveling to Washington D.C. to attend.

The nature of the storm is such that the agency’s emergency response protocols have been activated and must take precedence.

CBP will provide additional information regarding the registration for this event at a later date. The new date and location within the Washington DC Metropolitan Area for the symposium will be announced as soon as possible. CBP officials apologize for this inconvenience and will reschedule this important event in the near future.

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