LLUSCBA E-Briefing This communication service provided by the Laredo Licensed U.S. Customs Brokers

INFORMATION FROM CAFTA ROUND TABLE SEMINAR ON 02/24-26/2010

On Feb. 24, several board members attended the CAFTA roundtable seminar sponsored by the City of Laredo and a Mexican Broker. This event was mainly a promotional tool for the City of Laredo without offering much substance on the logistics and compliance aspects.

Some CAFTA participants were shown the infrastructure of the port of Laredo and a tour of Laredo. The Laredo Airport could stand to benefit the most if goods are shipped to Laredo via air from CAFTA countries.

RESULTS FROM CUSTOMS MONTHLY MEETING ON 03/03/2010

On Tuesday 3/03, U.S. Customs, USDA, FDA and the local trade participated in our monthly Customs Meeting to address issues that affect the local industry. During this meeting, CBP released a trade bulletin that changes the procedures that have been in place in Laredo for decades. Previously, CBP had authorized for the opening of cartons for piece count verification and classification purposes on the CBP form 3499 (commonly referred to as the “blue letter”). The trade notice simply states that all requests to manipulate bonded merchandise must have the approval of the Port Director and must be completed in accordance with the regulations. CBP’s verbal explanation of the trade notice is that the CBP form 3499 will only be authorized if the merchandise is inside a bonded warehouse. In the alternative, CBP suggested admitting the goods into a foreign trade zone and then requesting permission to manipulate on a CBP form 216. Please refer to Laredo Trade Notice 10-003 for details. Please see minutes for additional discussions. Minutes are also posted on the members section of the website. www.lluscba.org

INFORMATION FROM MEETING WITH NASCO ON 03/3-4/2010

On March 3rd & 4th, Jose Gonzalez and Victor Gonzalez attended the North America's SuperCorridor Coalition, Inc. Meeting held at the Posada Hotel. The meeting was sponsored by IBC Bank and was attended by City Officials, Laredo Development Foundation, Kansas City Southern (KCS), Association of Laredo Forwarding Agents, TAMIU, ITA, Border Trade Alliance and several other business entities. Information was presented on the bridge expansion project, local trade statistics, as well as projects by KCS on their proposed bridge site. At this meeting, the LLUSCBA was invited to become an affiliate member of NASCO at a rate of $500.00 annually.  The LLUSCBA board has decided to review the information and act accordingly within our budget allowance.

MEETING WITH ALFA ON 03/08/2010

On March 8th, Jose Gonzalez, Victor Gonzalez and the LLUSCBA Mexican Broker Liaison Arturo Dominguez and Rafael Orduña met with board members of ALFA to discuss the trade notice and its effect in Laredo. Mexican Customs Brokers ability to verify the merchandise prior to export to Mexico has been severely affected. LLUSCBA and ALFA will review alternatives with their respective legal counsel. Further discussion on the subject matter will be disseminated to the members as it is presented. 
  
WEBINAR ON 03/10/2010 “RESPONDING TO CBP INQUIRIES-UNDERSTANDING THE FINE PRINT"

This webinar was presented by attorney Lenny Feldman, who is manager of the firm Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg P.A. law office in Miami. Mr. Feldman was a senior attorney with the U.S. Customs Service in Washington, D.C., from 1991 to 2000, and served in the Penalties, Value and General Classification branches at CBP headquarters.

This webinar is part of the 2010 International Trade & Customs Seminars Series which is offered to the LLUSCBA by the law firm Sandler, Travis, & Rosenberg P.A. at a reduced price.  In order for the association to benefit from these educational seminars, we humbly ask for your participation and for any input on a specific topic of interest.  Webinars or seminars are offered to association members based on the need and importance of the subject to the local trade. We will accept your feedback and recommendations regarding areas of interest that require educational exposure.  The LLUSCA’s purpose is to insure that its members are up to date with current changes and assist those with their CCS point requirements under the NCBFAA Certified Customs Specialist Program.

MARCH MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DEADLINE

The deadline to pay your $475.00 annual membership fee is March 31, 2010.
After this day, a late fee of $25.00 will be added to the regular fee and membership benefits will be suspended until payment is received. If on the installment plan, the second/final payment is also due on March 31st.
 
We encourage you to send your payment as soon as possible to avoid late payment fees or termination of membership. We hope that you have recognized the value of your membership and had the opportunity to take advantage of the services available to you as a LLUSCBA Member. As always, we are here to assist you in any way possible so do not hesitate to contact us with any concern you may have.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

LLUSCBA Board Association Meeting Embassy Suites March 31 2010 8:30 AM
CBP Monthly Association Meeting LCC April 7 2010 8:30 AM
NCBFAA’s 36th Annual Conference, April 11-14, 2010, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, Texas.
LLUSCBA Board Meeting Chamber Conference Room April 21 2010 9:00 AM

SUGESTIONS AND OPINIONS

This briefing is presented to inform the LLUSCBA Members of the involvement of the Association’s Board and Committee Members.  This administration would like to keep its members updated on the outcome of meetings and changes that could affect the industry.  We can only succeed as an effective association with complete cooperation from all members and affiliate members.  We will openly accept any recommendation and suggestion in order to successfully complete our mission as a united voice.  If you know a fellow colleague that is not currently a member, please try to enlist him/her in order to create a stronger voice.

Please make copies of this LLUSCBA Weekly E-Briefing available to key people in offices. The LLUSCBA Weekly E-Briefing is compiled by LLUSCBA Board and Committees; Questions? Send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .