L.A. CBP Publishes Public Bulletin re ACE Mandatory Use Date

For non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs), compliance with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of doing business legally and avoiding steep penalties. During our recent webinar, Avoid Costly FMC Penalties, industry expert Mauricio Larenas of AP Tariffs reminded participants that compliance begins with a simple but critical question: does your business qualify as an NVOCC? Who Qualifies as an NVOCC? According to the FMC, any company that offers ocean shipping services is considered an NVOCC. That definition is broad—so broad that even a small storefront advertising “Ship to Colombia for $50” or a Facebook post offering to move […]

By: Dennis Gates, Regional Vice President Northeast Region The announcement of potential tariffs has sparked concern across industries. In November 2024, the U.S. President-elect proposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. This move could significantly disrupt trade, particularly for goods previously duty-free under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). For importers and their customhouse brokers, these tariffs could bring significant financial and logistical challenges. Understanding the Potential Impact These proposed tariffs may affect a wide array of goods, from raw materials to finished products. Importers need to understand how these changes could increase costs, strain supply chains, and lead […]

  eBond is the fastest customs bond filing system ever, and it’s about to be even faster and easier. The Road to eBond Customs bonds used to be issued on typewriters. Across the country entry writers for customs brokers would hammer out importer information onto green, pink, and yellow sheets of carbon paper, and these paper pages were delivered by messenger or mail to the CBP office at the local port. There the bonds waited for their Customs Control Number stamp and delivery back to the broker or agent. Then in the 2000’s, the bond filing process went digital. Processing […]