International Trade

Your Chance to Meet Some of CBP’s TOP Officials



Have you met CBP’s Chief Operating Officer, Thomas Winkowski (pictured left)? How about the Director of Field Operations in Miami, Vernon Foret? Or, CBP’s Senior Advisor for Private Sector Engagement, Maria Luisa O’Connell?

Start thinking of what questions you have for CBP, because you’ll have the chance to meet them this month.

Assistant Commissioner Al Gina recently shared his thoughts on CBP’s Priority Trade Initiatives with NCBFAA. See them here. The seven hot topics are:

  1. Role of the Broker;
  2. ACE,The agency’s automated cargo processing system;
  3. The Centers of Excellence and Expertise,
  4. Simplified Entry-Air Cargo Advanced Screening,
  5. Trusted trade partnerships;
  6. Trade intelligence, and
  7. One U.S. Government at the Border.

Here’s your chance to ask questions about CBP’s progress with implementation of its priorities. I for one want to hear CBP’s progress in ensuring the Centers of Excellence are yielding a more uniform decision making process for CBP at all ports of entry.

You are invited to attend a round table discussion on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) trade transformation initiatives. This meeting will provide a great opportunity to have an open discussion with Chief Operating Officer, Thomas Winkowski; Director of Field Operations (Miami) Vernon Foret; and Senior Advisor for Private Sector Engagement, Maria Luisa O’Connell. There will be two meetings held at different times, on October 24, 2012, but will contain the same information.
Due to limited seating, CBP requests that only ONE representative from each company sign up for […]

As U.S. Imports from China Intensify so does CBP Enforcement

Co-authored by Michael De Biase. 

With the concentration of US imports from China increasing in parallel with intellectual property rights seizures, companies rely heavily on the government, specifically on US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) to help protect and enforce their intellectual property rights (“IPR”).

According to Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China, “US imports from China [are] more concentrated than ever“.

Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce establishes that importation into the U.S. is a concentrated field, with the top 500 U.S. importers – 0.4 % of all importers – comprising roughly 68% of all imports by value in 2010. Imports from China, although somewhat less concentrated, are still dominated by larger enterprises, as companies with more than 500 employees – 4% of all importers from China – account for 60% of all imports from China. As concentration increases, the opportunity to trade in quantities that take advantage of China’s economies of scale decrease; thus, heightened concentration is not a good thing for Chinese manufacturers.

While the import concentration from China is growing, CBP is reporting a record number of IPR seizures. From 2010-2011 alone, IPR seizures increase by 24%, and have nearly doubled since 2009. Considering that China is the number one source company of imports, it should come as no surprise that it also accounts for the largest number of IPR seizures, with 62% of […]

China Sourcing Fair – How to Solve U.S. Customs Issues When Importing From China

 The rewards of sourcing from China are well known, but succeeding at it is far from simple. With a sluggish global economy resulting in unpredictable market changes, cost-effective sourcing is important.

To help you build or sharpen your China sourcing strategies, I am thrilled to be part of a new series of “How to Source from China” conferences at the China Sourcing Fair (July 10-12, Miami)!

The conferences are led by industry experts, and reveal real-life sourcing risks in China. We will share actionable knowledge at every step as the project moves from concept to delivery, and the conference will offer in-depth insights and practical tips on do’s and don’ts of China sourcing. Whether you’re a beginner or veteran buying professional, the FREE conference program is your chance to learn how to source efficiently and effectively from the “world’s factory”.

Register now to enhance your importing skills and knowledge today! Conference seats are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

I will be speaking on “How to Solve U.S. Customs Issues When Importing From China”.

Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are a priority trade initiative for U.S. Customs. Most confiscated China imports violated US Customs’ IPR laws, which should serve as a reminder when buying from China.

In my seminar, we will look at ways of preventing and dealing with these issues. In particular, we will cover:

  • Trademark / copyright violations (What U.S. Customs looks for)
  • Top […]

Free Trade Zones Expanding in Miami-Dade County

PortMiami wants free trade zones (FTZ’s) throughout Miami-Dade county.

As we know, PortMiami is currently dredging to 50 feet in pursuit of the post Panamax ships, and wants to prepare for the massive amounts of cargo PortMiami looks forward to receiving as a result of the dredging project.  In preparation, PortMiami is looking to the South Florida business community to get engaged and prepared as well.

Under PortMiami’s plan, any business north of Southwest Eighth Street could apply for free-trade status (under FTZ 281) and be exempt from import duties (for example, for cargo heading abroad). There are many benefits to an FTZ, ultimately resulting in duty savings.

The Miami Herald reported that PortMiami’s application is expected to receive approval by the summer (UPDATE – PortMiami has officially been approved and operates FTZ 281), which will allow local businesses the opportunity to apply for foreign-trade zone status, enabling them to utilize their FTZ for duty savings, as goods shipped into a FTZ that are destined for export are exempt from paying CBP duties.  Many companies use South Florida as a transhipment hub, purchasing goods from China, using South Florida as a distribution center, and then selling those goods to customers in South America.  Using a FTZ saves the importer from having to pay customs duties on imports for exports.

The Beacon Council – Miami-Dade County’s official economic development partnership – has coined trade/logistics and aviation as two of the ‘seven pillars’ of Miami-Dade County in the One Community, One Goal […]

Do You Know the TOP 10 COMPLIANCE TIPS?

If you import, you need to!

On behalf of the Organization of Women in International Trade (OWIT-South Florida), I am hosting an informal round table where members OWIT will have the opportunity to get to know one another and learn all about compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)!

Yes, men are welcome!

This session is especially important for importers and brokers and those in involved in international trade.

Attendees will receive a special “cheat sheet” providing great resources to utilize when importing, including the top 10 compliance tips.

Space is limited to OWIT members! Become a member of OWIT here (it is only $100 for a YEAR of benefits including these FREE IBR’s), and assure your spot by sending in your RSVP today!

Please email Jennifer Diaz with any questions!

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