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Import

Call 305-456-3830 or email info@diaztradelaw.com.

Band-Aid or Stitches? What’s Your Compliance Approach?

When you get a deep cut, do you simply put on a band-aid or do you go to the hospital to get stitches that you really need? Stitches take time and are more costly – but, your bleeding will stop and your cut is less likely to re-open. With a band-aid – you’re likely to re-open your wound and/or get an infection. You get stitches if you know what’s good for you!

Compliance is similar in that there may be a quick fix for the current issue; however, if you don’t stop the bleeding and get stitches, you will be in trouble in the long-run, and the bleeding won’t stop.

On a daily basis, different companies call me to discuss issues they are having with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For instance, today, a company called me discussing a CBP 28 – Request for Information, and thereafter a CBP 29 – Notice of Action received from CBP. The issue was an underlying classification issue. Bottom line, they had never done any Pre-Compliance on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule’s (HTS) they were using for their imported merchandise. They said the infamous line – that’s why I hired a broker. Important to note that this just does not cut it with CBP.

CBP publishes really great Informed Compliance Publications for Importers – too few importers have read them, and too small a percentage of importers know they exist. For new importers, CBP has […]

By |2022-07-07T09:49:12-04:00March 26, 2013|CBP 28, CBP 29, Pre-compliance, Seizure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments
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Sequestration Causes Furloughs in CBP – What This Means for You

International passengers at Miami International Airport (MIA) have certainly felt the detrimental effects caused by the sequestration, as thousands have missed connecting flights – because of CBP processing delays.

The sequestration has created hard caps on the amount of government spending due to the government’s inability to compromise on a budget.  Prior to the sequestration, CBP stated that they would ensure that their core mission would not be compromised, and under no circumstances would CBP diminish their commitment to completing their responsibilities.  On March 11, 2013, CBP began sending furlough notices to all of its 60,000 employees as the agency aims to make $754 million in cuts required under the sequestration. The furloughs are set to begin on April 21, 2013 and continue through September 30, 2013.

These furloughs will…

  • put full time employees on unpaid leave for no more than 14 workdays.
  • pro-rate furlough time for part-time workers.
  • freeze hiring
  • reduce and eliminate overtime and compensatory time

CBP agrees the biggest hit to border security comes from cuts to overtime. CBP will see income cut by 40%. Partly as a result of having to take up to 14 unpaid days off work.

What should importer/exporters and those involved in international trade expect?

Cargo processing during arrivals/departures outside normal business hours may experience delays until the following business morning. This roll over of work may in turn provide for regular cargo processing delays which are expected to take from 30 minutes up to a few hours during regular working hours. The daily tasks completed by cargo processing are not expected to be reduced. However, additional work […]

By |2022-07-07T09:47:58-04:00March 25, 2013|Import, TSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)|0 Comments
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FDA Discusses TOP Reasons for Detention of Goods

At today’s Import Operations Training, sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Florida Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (FCBF), top officials from FDA traveled to Miami to educate importers and brokers. Topics ranged from a general overview of FDA compliance, TOP rationales for FDA detentions, Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) updates, an overview of the newly re-organized (now DIO) Division of Import Operations (formerly DIOP – policy has now been removed), an overview of CBP & FDA’s Joint Team 488 – which handles liquidated damages claims for underlying FDA violations and much more. Highlights of the TOP rationale for detentions follows, as I feel this is of most value to you to know and is arranged by commodity.

Food Products Top Rationales for Detention

•Manufacturer (processor, packer or person holding food product) is not registered with the FDA pursuant to the Bioterrorism Act. (You can Register with the FDA here: www.FDA-USA.com)

•Low Acid Canned Foods (LACF) are imported without establishment registration (FCE #) or scheduled process (SID #)

•The products are subject to an Import Alert

•Product labeling is not compliant (FDA does not pre-approve food labeling, it is up to importers to assure it is compliant before importing)

•Common labeling violations include:

1.Label is not in English

2.Incorrect or missing statement of identity

3.Failure to list allergens

4.Failure to declare ingredients

5.Failure to include a proper “Nutrition Facts” label (incorrect formats […]

By |2013-03-21T00:56:00-04:00March 21, 2013|Best Practices, FDA Notice of Detention, FSMA, Import, Import Alert, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|1 Comment
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FDA’s Busy Implementing FSMA – Significant New Food Safety Rules are Coming

The FDA has proposed two new rules issued under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that is part of a broader effort to prevent food borne illness and ensure the safety of imported and domestically produced foods.  If you want your voice heard, you have until May 16, 2013 to submit your comments to the FDA on the proposed rule. The FDA does take comments seriously, we’re here to help if you want assistance in drafting your comments. This rule is expected to be published shortly following the conclusion of the comment period on May 16, 2013.

The proposed rules would apply to facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold human food. The rules focus on commonly identified routes of microbial contamination of produce, including:

(1) agricultural water

(2) farm worker hygiene

(3) manure and other additions to the soil

(4) animals in growing areas, and

(5) equipment, tools and buildings.

In general the facilities that are required to register include manufacturers, processors, warehouses, storage […]

By |2022-07-07T09:32:30-04:00January 30, 2013|FDA Issues, Food, FSMA, Import|0 Comments
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