News

FDA will require Cosmetic manufacturers to register by July 01, 2024. Please advise your cosmetic manufacturers about the new law. 

Good afternoon Trade Community,

Listed below are a couple of updates on topics discussed yesterday.

Agenda Items: 

• Hand Sanitizer Shipments – FDA Review
  
  
• Port of Laredo – Hand Sanitizer Discrepancy Rates at 12%.  The majority of the shipments are being released.  Only the ones with discrepancies are being referred to Food and Drug Administration
  
  
• Update on USMCA Planning – Webinars – Director Porras is working with Office of Trade to secure dates for webinars/calls with Trade Communities.
  
  
• Hours of Operations – 8 Ports of Entry – Cargo Facilities remains the same;
  
  
• Temporary Travel Restrictions continue for Non-Essential Travel.  (see attached)
  
  
• Commercial Cargo facilities have not changed their hours of operation and continue to provide full service to the Trade Community.
  

Armando Taboada Jr.
ADFO Trade
Laredo Field Office
956-753-1773 – Office
956-693-8807 - Cell

Contact APD Trade below on Port specific issues, questions, and/or concerns.

Port of Brownsville 2301
Bob B. Parker, APD
956-983-562
Bob.B.Parker@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Del Rio 2302
David W. Green, APD
830-306-4360
DAVID.W.GREEN@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Eagle Pass 2303
Gilbert Sepulveda, APD
830-752-3593
GILBERT.R.SEPULVEDA@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Laredo 2304
Javier Vasquez, APD
956-794-9494/9495
JAVIER.VASQUEZ@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Pharr 2305
Andres A. Vega, APD
956-843-5701
ANDRES.A.VEGA@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Rio Grande 2307
Jorge Alberto Flores, APD
956-487-1663
JORGEALBERTO.FLORES@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Progreso 2309
Jorge Galvan, APD
956-354-3653
JORGE.GALVAN@cbp.dhs.gov

Port of Roma 2310
Jesus J. Contreras, APD
956-849-1678
JESUS.CONTRERAS@cbp.dhs.gov

Covered under FDA’s temporary guidelines, transport is limited to ground transport by motor
vehicle only.

Overview of guidelines:

I. Small Quantities.
a. Two types of packaging: Not exceeding 1 gallon, exceeding 1 gallon but not exceeding 8 gallons.

b. Exception from all DOT hazmat regulations provided all packaging and hazard communication procedures are met as per the following:
1. 24 hour notification as usual for CBP purposes (being waived to 6 hours for this specific Chemical only)

2. Packaging needs to be in accordance with the 49CFR to protect against shifting and damage (leak tight, cushioned outer packaging, secured, etc.)

c. Mark with company name and the phrasing: “Sanitizer – Contains Ethyl Alcohol” or “Sanitizer – Contains Isopropyl Alcohol” on EACH package.

II. Non-bulk Quantities Overview
a. SOME Exceptions from DOT hazmat regulations provided all packaging and hazard communication procedures are met as per the following:

1. 24 hour notification as usual for CBP purposes (being waived to 6 hours for this specific chemical only).

2. FDA approved formulations

3. Bill of lading example for classification: UN 1987, Alcohols, n.o.s, 3, PG II

4. Packing and labeling needs to be in accordance with 49CFR.
This commodity IS A HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL and importer must abide by FDA guidelines and ALL regulations set forth by DOT-PHMSA and CBP.

Good morning:

Hope everyone is keeping safe during this ongoing and expanding COVID-19 outbreak.  In an effort to keep employees healthy and safe, all Entry personnel within the Laredo Field Office have being allowed to work from home.  If you have questions or concerns regarding entry summary processing please do not hesitate to contact the Centers at https://www.cbp.gov/trade/centers-excellence-and-expertise-information/cee-directory or your local Entry Department for assistance at the contact information provided on the District 23, Laredo Field Office Entry Section directory

As recommended on CSMS #42283516 below, please make every effort to use CBP’s automated systems as best as possible to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and sustain trade activities.

CSMS #42283516 - Entry Summary, Payment and Post-Release Processing of Trade Activities Due to COVID-19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to maintain operations at the Ports of Entry and within the Centers of Excellence and Expertise while taking measures to ensure the safety of the public and CBP staff. Due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP highly recommends that CBP’s automated systems be used to their fullest extent possible in order to minimize exposure and sustain trade activities. CBP recommends the application of the following measures; although this list is not exhaustive : Transmit entry and entry summaries to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE); Update current account and point of contact information in the ACE portal, to include email, to provide a means for electronic communication; Submit supporting documentation or responses to CBP Requests for Information (CBPF28) through the ACE portal or the Document Image System (DIS); Transmit post-summary activities, such as Protests and Post-Importation Claims through ACE; and Filers submitting Post Summary Corrections (PSCs) that require a payment of duties may opt to receive a bill, or may still mail payment to the Port of Entry.   CBP encourages importers and filers to take advantage of the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) for electronic payment to the greatest extent possible. In the event that the use of electronic submissions cannot be utilized, documentation may be mailed to the Port of Entry for processing, to include checks for payment of duties, taxes and fees, liquidated damages, prior disclosures, etc.   The trade community is encouraged to monitor CSMS and maintain contact with local Ports of Entry as trade facility operations at each location may change due to COVID-19.  Additionally, the Centers of Excellence and Expertise can be used as a resource for trade related matters. A directory of Center managers is available by Center team number using the following link: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/centers-excellence-and-expertise-information/cee-directory

Thank you,

Leticia Benavides
Supervisory Entry Specialist
Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise
ACE Ambassador
Customs and Border Protection
Office of Field Operations
Laredo, TX
Ph: (956) 794-9305

March 20, 2020 6:11 pm CST

Good afternoon Trade Community and CBP Management,

As per our conference call/webinar this afternoon, please view the attached documents:

• Federal Register Mexico/US Border COVID-19 Mexico Border 1318 Invocation 3-20-20.pdf
  
  
• Hours of Operations – 8 Ports of Entry (Brownsville, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Hidalgo/Pharr, Rio Grande City, Progreso, Roma) Facilities at Ports (lanes conveyance type hours).pdf
  
  
• Questions and Answers posed during call Questions posed on Conference 032020.pdf

Armando Taboada Jr.

Armando Taboada Jr.
(a)ADFO Trade
Laredo Field Office
956-753-1773 – Office
956-693-8807 - Cell

March 20, 2020 5:00 pm Update

Good afternoon members

The federal government has restricted the travel between Mexico and the US, and it will be publishing Monday March 24th, 2020 in the federal register the following notice: 2020-06253.pdf

SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to “essential travel” as further defined in this document.

DATES: These restrictions go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on March 20, 2020 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 20, 2020.

For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States-Mexico border shall be limited to “essential travel,” which includes, but is not limited to—

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
• Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Mexico in furtherance of such work);
• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Mexico);
• Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S.
• Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and
• Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—

• Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events)

During today's Presidential news conference both President Donald Trump and (A) Secretary Chad Wolf stated that commercial trade would NOT be impacted by the new measures being implemented tonight at midnight. 

Also on today's trade call with CBP Laredo Field Office it was reiterated that trade related work travel and cargo will not be affected.

Due to the effect COVID-19 is having on the Trade industry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is accepting requests for duty-payment extensions. Interested parties should send requests to Director Randy Mitchell by email at randy.mitchell@cbp.dhs.gov. CBP expects to issue a Federal Register notice in the immediate future with details on a longer-term, broader extension policy.

The federal government has restricted the travel between Canada and the US, and it will be publishing Monday March 24th, 2020 in the federal register the following notice: 2020-06217.pdf

Which basically says:

For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to “essential travel,” which includes, but is not limited to—

• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
• Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work);
• Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada);
• Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and
• Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operation.

The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—

• Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events)

Today it was announced by the White House that travel restriction policies will be implemented also with Mexico, we will have to wait for a new publication in the federal register, but suspect the same rules could apply.

During today's Presidential news conference both President Donald Trump and (A) Secretary Chad Wolf stated that commercial trade would NOT be impacted by the new measures being implemented tonight at midnight. 

Please continue with your business as usual.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted a conference call with the Trade this afternoon to discuss the current status of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and its effect on Cargo and Port Operations.

CBP began by stating that previous proclamations regarding the restriction of travelers do not include restrictions on cargo and that there should be no impact on cargo from regions restricted by said proclamations. This also applies to the recent agreement made between the Canadian and U.S. government to close the Northern Border to non-essential travel. Cargo is considered essential and therefore should not be subjected to additional screenings or potential slowdowns. A Federal Register notice is scheduled to be published tomorrow morning that will define essential travel. This will outline those who cross the border for essential reasons, such as medical personnel, humanitarian aid, critical infrastructure, etc. At the border, discretion is being given to Officers for certain edge cases.

As for the state of border crossings, passenger land border traffic is down significantly. In Buffalo and Detroit, traffic is down 70% and 65% respectively. At this time, commercial traffic has remained steady but CBP does anticipate a drop in Detroit and Laredo. CBP is not expecting reductions in staffing at the Northern Border, though as many locations are operating under extended hours or are 24/7, it may be appropriate to reduce to core hours to utilize resources more strategically.

Just as the Northern Border has been closed to non-essential travel, a formal essential-only announcement should be coming soon for the Southern Border. Just like the Northern Border closing, there will be no restrictions on cargo or expected personnel reductions.

On the call, CBP stated that they have chosen to close their Global NEXUS Enrollment Centers as a way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The enrollment upon arrival is still operational for those who are flying internationally.

There have been no operational changes at Ports of Entry. CBP has encountered an uptick of personnel testing positive for COVID-19 and is now up to about 30 Officers who are in quarantine protocol. If a reduction of staff at ports becomes significant, ports have their own contingency plans.

The Office of Trade has been hard at work reviewing recommendations sent in by the Trade to help with the crisis. CBP thanked the NCBFAA and other associations for their submissions. One submission that was sent in by the NCBFAA, and a few other associations, related to duty drawback and a possible delay in duty payments. CBP understands the major impact this could have and is currently researching to see if the plan is feasible. In the meantime, CBP is considering case-by-case deferrals. To see if you qualify, you may email Randy Mitchell and CC your local entry specialist that you work with at the port. The agency hopes to have a more detailed plan in the next 3-4 days. If you would like to submit suggestions to CBP, you may do so using the tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov email address.

The NCBFAA plans to participate in ongoing CBP held Trade calls and will relay all relevant information to our members as it comes to light.

March 19, 2020

Good morning Trade Community Leaders,

Quick update:  CBP-Laredo Field Office - The Southern Border has NOT been advised of any changes to our current commercial operations.

The only information that we are aware of is on what is occurring on the Northern border (Essential Travel).

When CBP Laredo Field Office receives new information, I will relate it to you and your trade community members.  Please advise your Trade Community members of this.

Thanks,

Armando Taboada Jr.
(a)ADFO Trade
Laredo Field Office
956-753-1773
956-693-8807 cell