News & Insights

In light of the upcoming storm and the safety of our Miami staff, our Florida office will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, September 7th and Friday, September 8th. We will let you know if our office will remain closed past these dates. Our Houston office has reopened, and we are able to report that everyone is safe and sound. We appreciate your thoughts, kind words and encouragement as we dealt with Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath.

Hurricane Harvey’s aftermath is responsible for some serious issues surrounding the status of cargo and releases in the ports that were closed due to the violent storm. Roanoke representatives Vice President, Surety Information and Analysis Matt Zehner and Vice President, Surety Trade Relations & Business Development Colleen Clarke sat in on a conference call with Customs and Border Protection on 8/29 and the following is a summary of information discussed: Please click on each of the following hyperlinks for the individual port’s current status: 2101-Port Arthur, 5301-Houston Seaport, 5309-Houston Airport, 5310-Galveston, 5311-Freeport, 5312-Corpus Christi. Diversions All cargo ships on the water with original destination to any of […]

Hurricane Harvey’s Category 4 wind speeds and storm surge estimated at 6 to 12 feet has unleashed catastrophic and unprecedented flooding throughout the greater Houston, Texas area, and is considered to be one of the most destructive storms in the nation’s history as it continues to pummel the region.  It is “one of the largest disasters America has ever faced,” Governor Greg Abbott said, warning against expecting anything resembling recovery any time soon, or a return to the way things were. “We need to recognize it will be a new normal, a new and different normal for this entire region.” […]

Due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey, all Port of Houston Facilities are closed and will remain closed until further notice. The Port anticipates regular working hours once operations are deemed safe to resume. Please check back for updates or visit the Port Authority website at www.porthouston.com.

On 8/14/2017, CBP issued CSMS# 17-000489 – CBP Bills for Supplemental Duties, Taxes and Fees, or Vessel Repair Duties reminding the trade of the 30 day timeframe to pay bills. This change of policy is a result of recent CBP initiatives to increase collections. Any bill for supplemental duties, taxes and fees or vessel repair duties are due 30 days from the bill date. If not paid within the 30 day timeframe, the bill is considered delinquent. The regulatory time frame for filing protests as outlined in 19CFR§174.12(e) remains the same; 90 days from the bill date for entries made […]