Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot GalleryCustoms and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
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- Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot Gallery
Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
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Customs and Trade Law Weekly Snapshot
Here is a recap of the latest customs and international trade law news: 
New FMC License Renewal Process
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) final rule governing licensing has been in effect since December 9, 2016. Under the new final rule, the FMC is requiring Ocean Freight Forwarder (OFF) and Non Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC) licenses to be renewed every 3 years using the new online license renewal system.
The FMC already sent out the first 146 notifications. DTL clients who are FMC Licensees may face cancellation if they fail to renew or update their license every three years. The great news is, now you are able to leave the heavy lifting to DTL.
Hate Unfair Demurrage Charges? Want To Do Something About It?
Now’s the time to make your voice heard. Below details what demurrage charges are and a trade initiative that FMC is currently requesting comments on.
What is demurrage?
How Much Time is Provided for Free?
- “Free time is the grace period for which neither of these charges will be incurred.” There is no standard amount of free time. Free time can change from carrier to carrier, from port to port and sometimes from container type to container type. Normally it is anywhere between 3-5 calendar days.
- Free time is supposed to include a realistic time period to assemble cargo for loading, and provide consignees a realistic time period to retrieve cargo at a terminal after unloading.
- The fee charged after the expiration of the “free time” varies. For example, for one carrier, the per diem fee can range anywhere between: $200 to $800 per day!
What is Being Done to Change this Demurrage Fee?
- Back in December, “the Coalition for Fair Port Practices, a group of 25 members that represent shippers, receivers, motor carriers, port draymen, freight forwarders, third-party logistics companies and customs brokers”, petitioned the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in hopes that the FMC would issue a ruling on extending the free time for container storage and equipment use that is disrupted by events outside […]