National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA)

Add ‘Cybersecurity Point of Contact’ to Your ACE Portal Account CBP has seen a dramatic increase in cyberattacks on members of the trade which causes significant costs and disruptions. The agency is actively working to prevent and mitigate these impacts, often connecting with trade partners to resolve disruptions caused by cyberattacks. Ensuring CBP has the correct contact information for a rapid response is critical.  CBP urges trade members to add a “Technical Point of Contact” (POC) designated for cybersecurity to their ACE portal account for CBP to contact if a legitimate cybersecurity threat is identified. To add a cybersecurity POC, ACE account users must begin by completing the steps required to add a general POC as described in the Modernized ACE Portal User Guide. Send any questions regarding this ACE update to CBP at TMOD@cbp.dhs.gov.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Oct. 21 released an updated version of the Air Cargo Advance Screening – Implementation Guide (ACAS-IG) Version 2.3.3. ACAS was developed by CBP to evaluate air shipments for threats to aviation. Messages describing upcoming shipments are sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in advance of the cargo departure for the U.S. This data is then reviewed jointly by CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to identify threats. The NCBFAA Air Freight Subcommittee will continue to keep association members informed of the latest actions involving ACAS-IG implementation. CBP also extended its rejection of vague descriptions for ACAS compliance deadline to Nov. 12. The agency had originally planned to issue rejections starting Oct. 7. For questions about the implementation of this change in ACAS, contact ntcacasonboarding@cbp.dhs.gov, while technical questions may be sent to your assigned CBP Client Representative.https://https://lnkd.in/eQQH4WfE

NCBFAA Nominating Committee Chair Brian Barber reflects on technological changes that have happened over the past decade. ACE and AI have paved a path to greater process improvement. These changes have required the broker industry to work together and build community. Curious how your peers and colleagues first started their careers in customs? So are we! National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) joined forces with Simply Trade Podcast to ask those questions

Koverly and Chain.io launched a partnership to streamline digital invoicing and net terms for FFs & CBs. Forwarders can enable clients to pay securely via ACH, credit card, USD wallet transfers & offer net 30 terms at no cost. https://lnkd.in/ebidfAts

On behalf of NCBFAA's Board of Directors, Leadership and Staff, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and welcome the following members who have recently joined our association:   ACE E-Customs Inc., Compton, California Digital Logistics-Solutions LLC, Carson, Washington INDSPRINT LOGISTICS LLC, Lewisville, Texas ONE STOP CUSTOMS BROKERS INC., Gardena, California Worldlink Shipping & Logistics LLC. dba Worldlink CHB Inc., Doral, Florida  

Attention Members: Renewal Season Right Around the Corner! Renewal season is right around the corner! Be sure to login to your company profile and ensure your member record is current. Pay particular attention to the total number of your employees directly involved in Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder activities, and any address or staff changes.  If you need assistance, please email membership@ncbfaa.org and a team member will be happy to help.

FMC Continues Monitoring Post-Port Strike Surcharges and Fees Along the U.S. East-Gulf Coast Ports. Specifically, the FMC is reviewing surcharges and fees announced, implemented, or suspended in connection with the Oct. 1-3 work stoppage. “The FMC Audit Program is discussing these surcharges and fees with the major ocean common carriers, with the goal of increasing transparency and identifying best practices,” the FMC said in a statement. The FMC is also using its statutory authorities to carefully review surcharges and fees to determine their relevance and legality. All fees and surcharges must be reasonable, clearly defined, and serve a specific measurable purpose.  The Office of Consumer Affairs and Dispute Resolution Services (CADRS) facilitates voluntary outcomes and solutions when there are disagreements between parties involved in containerized ocean shipments. Allegations of common carrier and MTO conduct violative of the law should be reported to the Bureau of Enforcement, Investigations, and Compliance (BEIC). All reports of misconduct will be reviewed by BEIC and violations will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible under the law. Parties seeking monetary reparations from a common carrier or MTO can initiate an adjudicatory proceeding that will be heard by the FMC’s Office of the Administrative Law Judges. Retaliation by a common carrier or MTO for filing a complaint at the FMC is expressly prohibited by law, and is an offense separate from other complaints about regulated entity behavior. Acts of retaliation carry serious consequences and allegations of such conduct will be fully and vigorously investigated.

Customs and Border Protection has re-vamped Forced Labor website, adding major upgrades.  https://lnkd.in/gUv_k5Cb The website features a new Forced Labor enforcement page that provides statistics, dashboards, and information related to CBP’s enforcement efforts, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), Withhold Release Orders (WRO) and Findings, and Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). CBP said it has also streamlined the website’s navigation and enhanced the user experience. The agency added that it is “dedicated to providing stakeholders the information they need to support CBP’s mission to prevent products mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part with forced labor from entering the United States.” Questions related to the forced labor website can be emailed to CBP at ForcedLabor@cbp.dhs.gov.

Keynote Luncheon Featuring Kevin McAleenan Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and Commissioner of Customs

NCBFAA leadership attended WESCCON this weekend in CA. Western Cargo Conference is a annual educational conference for customs brokers and freight forwarders on the West Coast and nationally. Includes panels, networking events, keynotes from industry and government leaders.