News and Events
Attention Importers and Exporters and International Trade Professionals:
In an effort to keep you well-informed on recent international trade and logistics news, this update is provided by INTRAL Trade Counsel, Tammy Morell. While there is a constant flow of information available to the trade community in multiple formats from government departments, trade organizations and private companies, the INTRAL News and Events page consolidates this information into brief and readable snippets that directly apply to what we believe matters and affects you directly.
New Free Trade Agreements and Extended Generalize System of Preference (GSP)
Congress recently passed the below Acts providing for the implementation of new Free Trade Agreements and renewing the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Andean Trade Preference Act.
∙ United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 3078) including Andean renewal provision
∙ United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 3079)
∙ United States-Korea (KORUS) Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 3080)
∙ Extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (H.R. 2832) and for other purposes (including Trade Adjustment Assistance) U.S.
Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) issued the following statement after voting for the trade agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama: "Today I supported three job creating trade agreements that open export markets for workers in Massachusetts. Our state is well positioned to take advantage of newly opened markets in Korea, Colombia, and Panama. The Korea trade agreement alone is estimated to create thousands of jobs in Massachusetts and hundreds of thousands across the country. These agreements provide for strong intellectual property protections and a level playing field for Bay State exporters."
Increase in Merchandise Processing Fees
The legislation extending the GSP and implementing the Korea FTA has also increased the Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF) from 0.21% to 0.3464% for the period of October 1, 2011 to June 30, 2021. The $485 MPF cap and $25 minimum for formal entries remains in place.
CBP is currently working to modify the Automated Brokers Interface (ABI) to accept the new rate and will update Importers when the fee can be submitted via the system. Importers will have one week from this notice to implement the chances. Importers should be aware that retroactive payments for imports on or after Oct. 1, 2011 will likely be required if the difference is greater than $20. Further, Congress currently has put in place a pre-payment period during October 1, 2012 through November 12, 2012 which is expected to be repealed.
Importers that have historically paid the MPF cap (customs value of $250,000 or higher per entry) will likely feel less effect, but those with smaller value entries may feel an added expense totaling as much as $136 for every $100,000 worth of imported merchandise.
CSMS #11-000262 (dated 10/21/11) is available here.
For more information, please contact Tammy Morell, Esq., at TMorell@intral.com
INTRAL hosts February 25th Webinar – “To Insource or Outsource? 10 Key Questions
On February 25th, INTRAL hosted a webinar for an audience of prospective clients, trade associations, and industry veterans. Titled “To Insource or Outsource – 10 Criteria for the Management of Your International Supply Chain” the webinar presented an educational tool for companies seeking to decide whether or not to manage their international supply chains in-house or outsource the function to a service provider such as INTRAL. Hosted by INTRAL’s Trade Counsel, Tammy Morell, and Director of Client Services, Rick Rodes, the webinar was extremely well-attended and well-received by its audience.
Phase II of Mobile Forensic Crime Labs Project Completed
On behalf of its Australian client, INPROCO Pty. Ltd., INTRAL Corporation has successfully completed Phase II of a major project to supply the Indonesian National Police with forensic laboratory equipment for installation in mobile crime lab vans to be stationed throughout Indonesia. After order placement upon US and foreign suppliers by INPROCO, INTRAL managed the logistics process from procurement coordination with suppliers, inventory management, specialized packing, dangerous goods classification, transportation management, export documentation, customer service support to final delivery. The project required exacting standards for collecting, packing and documenting identical kits of equipment to facilitate installation in the vans upon delivery in Indonesia. A final word from the client: “The pleasure of working with all of you was ours, dealing with such a Professional Team at INTRAL. As we constantly say, if all our business interactions were of the same caliber…”
Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. and INTRAL host joint webinar on August 17th
On August 17th, the management team of INTRAL, together with Doug Ward, Transportation Manager for Ocean Spray Cranberries, discussed how OSC leverages on -time delivery to win customer orders and dominate their industry. The webinar, titled "How to Improve Customer Service and Fuel Global Revenue Expansion Through Cost-Effective Supply Chain Execution", detailed how the Ocean Spray / INTRAL supply chain management partnership delivers "high touch" customer service while seeking to control costs and manage risk while supporting rapid international sales growth. The webinar clearly detailed INTRAL Corporation's expertise in building and managing an international supply chain process in order to support Ocean Spray's sales, marketing and manufacturing operations across multiple geographies and cultures. For more information on the INTRAL Corporation / Ocean Spray partnership please contact Jim Holland, Vice President of Sales at INTRAL on (617) 439-5876 or JHolland@intral.com
INTRAL Trade Counsel speaks at Massachusetts Export Seminar
Trade Counsel, Tammy Lee Morell, spoke at the Massachusetts Exports Centers' Export Logistics and Regulatory Compliance series – Best Practices for Compliance session on Friday, November 5th, 2010. Her presentation encompassed "Auditing and Maintaining an Export Compliance Program." The discussion included the importance of an auditing program from both a regulatory and business standpoint. The focus of the presentation included practical means to achieving BIS's 9 key elements to a export compliance program and other regulatory focal points. Attendees were provided with considerations and methodology for establishing internal auditing programs along with the scope and timeline for audits. A question and answer session followed diving into practical issues and means for managing compliance within individual companies.
INTRAL Exhibits Products and Services at Massachusetts Export Center's Expo
INTRAL was an exhibitor at the December 17th Massachusetts Export Center's Export Expo held in the State Transportation Building in downtown Boston. INTRAL's table was situated among other service provides including law firms, banks, freight forwarders, consulting firms, translation firms, customs and compliance automated solutions providers, and various government and nonprofit organizations. INTRAL staff members were also able to attend many of the excellent workshops and panel discussions throughout the day, revolving around a wide variety of export-related topics, including Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration Kevin Wolf's discussion on current Export Control Reform. We congratulate Paula Murphy and her staff at the Massachusetts Export Center for producing a highly informative and interesting event.
