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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico are conducting a joint survey to obtain feedback from U.S. and Mexican companies and organizations whose businesses are impacted by the security and efficiency of the U.S.-Mexico border. The survey responses will contribute to a border report, expected to be published this fall, which will be making recommendations to increase border security while facilitating trade and travel.
Take the survey.
Green supply chains do exist.
In a recent interview with SupplyChainBrain, University of Denver supply chain faculty member Paul Nuzum discusses his research into green supply chains, and as the article emphasizes, “it’s not enough for a product to be green — the entire manufacturing and delivery system must reflect it as well.” Nuzum provides numerous examples of corporations’ efforts to create green supply chains in the areas of transportation (e.g., more efficient load planning), distribution (e.g., solar power) and packaging (e.g., reduction in resins).
The article, “Are Green Supply Chains Really Happening?”, is available here.
August 31 is the last day to save $150 on the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) 2010 Annual Global Conference. The event, which runs from September 26 – 29, will be held at the San Diego Convention Center. Learn from global experts and network with thousands of colleagues.
Know your ISF responses from CBP.
On July 16, US Customs (CBP) published a list of new disposition codes for various ISF actions. However, on August 17, CPB issued a correction to certain of these disposition codes. The disposition codes for the following actions are affected:
The revised disposition codes are available here.
Although cargo traffic increased again in July at the bellwether ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, there is concern that this year’s “peak season” may not be as robust. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, LA imports were up 21% to 370,000 containers from a year ago, while Long Beach’s import traffic increased 32.5% to 294,000 containers. Given that trade cargo dried up significantly in these ports — and nationwide — in 2009, these increases must be viewed with that in mind. Moreover, some experts are worried that lukewarm consumer demand may have an adverse effect on the total peak season cargo traffic, which runs from July through October, in advance of the holiday season.
The full article, “Ports wary of stunted holiday rush,” is available here.
As reported in The New York Times, US retailers are scrambling to find space on cargo ships for their imports, particularly from Asia. Retailers “are outbidding each other to score scarce cargo space on ships, paying two to three times last year’s freight rates — in some cases, the highest rates in five years.”
Despite these efforts, even those who are able to secure space are not receiving merchandise in time for seasonal promotions, and the problem is expected to worsen for shipments during peak season.
The problems stems in large part from 2009, when retailers slashed inventories due to low demand in a recessionary economy. In response, carriers greatly reduced the number of ships and pared back service, and container manufacturers virtually ceased production. Given current economic volatility, both are being exceedingly careful in increasing their service levels, leaving many retailers in a lurch.
The full article, “Retailers Pay More to Get Cargo (No Guarantee),” is available here.
An updated version of Custom’s ISF FAQs, dated July 9th, 2010 was recently posted to the CBP.gov website. Click here to view.
Note that some of the newest changes to the ISF programming will not be available until mid August at a minimum as they have not been published in the CATAIR or CAMIR implementation guides. The new functionality that will not be immediately available includes:
• ISF Submission Type Changes
• Late ISF Filing (No Bonds)
• ISF Type 11 coded transaction (Informal Shipments)
Remember that all questions and comments about the new FAQs may be sent to the Security_Filing_General@cbp.dhs.gov mailbox.
Today’s Los Angeles Times reports that imports climbed in June at the ports of both Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together comprise the nation’s busiest seaport complex. At the Port of Los Angeles, imports rose to 371,889 containers, an increase of 32% from June 2009, while at the Port of Long Beach, the number of inbound containers jumped by 27% to 262,053 containers.
While these numbers may show signs of improved economic conditions, some are not so sure. Nancy D. Sidhu, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, believes that the June’s increases are attributable to retailers replenishing their long-depleted inventories, and that any continued growth will depend on sustained consumer demand.
The two ports account for 40% of the United States’ imported containers.
The full article is available here.
US Customs has made available the Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1003, which was created on July 6, 2010. The modified records are currently available to all Automated Broker Interface (ABI) participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR). For ABI users that utilize a SaaS, or hosted ABI solution, this update should have already been implemented automatically.
The update contains the following:
These changes became effective on July 1, 2010.
To learn more about the update, click here.
Attention Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) users: US Customs (CBP) has recently updated its Periodic Monthly Statement Guide. As many ACE users know, Periodic Monthly Statements streamline the payment and collection of duties and fees by allowing importers (and their brokers) to consolidate them into one monthly payment, rather than a daily- or per-entry billing.
Benefits of enrolling in the Period Monthly Statements process include:
The updated guide provides detailed instructions about the Periodic Monthly Statement process, including numerous ACE screen shots, and also sets forth the application process to participate in the program – for both importers who are, or are not yet, ACE Portal Accounts.
To learn more about the program, including exclusions and requirements, click here.
