Sanders Brokerage Services migrates to new computer system: Today December 8th, 2011 our operations converted to a new computer system. All systems were back up and operational as previously anticipated (by 2:00 PM). Thanks to everyone for your support and understanding.
BLAINE FAST LANE: If you want your shipments to move the U.S.A. “FAST” with reduced examinations and inspections you should consider become a C-TPAT certified business partner with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Services (CBP). CBP at Blaine, Washington is in the process of returning the FAST lane to the port. At recent Trade meetings with CBP and the carrier community it was revealed that CBP in the months ahead will be working with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia to re-configure southbound truck access to the port of Blaine, Washington. Information provided indicates that the new FAST lane will be up and operational by March of 2012. To participate in this initiative you must first become a certified C-TPAT participant. Additionally your carrier must be a C-TPAT certified carrier and the driver must have his FAST card.
Advantages to your participation numerous:
· Greatly improved carrier access to the CBP port of entry: FAST carriers will be given the “green light” to proceed to the inspection booth at CBP, while non participants will be given the stop sign.
· Your shipment will be given “priority” processing at the port: C-TPAT partners shipments are to be given priority release over all other importations.
· Quicker release of your shipment at the port: CBP promises that C-TPAT partners shipments will not require the extensive inspection scrutiny as non-participants shipments. They already know who you are and will spend less time examining your freight to concentrate on other shipments.
· Reduced exams at the local Container Examination Station (CES): While import exams are a given, CBP has made it clear that C-TPAT participants shipment will be deferred to exam at a greatly reduced rate.
· Your carrier will love you: When C-TPAT certified carriers move shipments for C-TPAT participants they know that your shipments will not impede their release from the port. Will this result in lower freight rates? Only time will tell, but being a C-TPAT participant has greatly reduced those additional “border wait time” fees.
· Improving trade lane security: On to itself improving is a good thing. You improve securities at your facility, while assuring your carrier and the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Services that you care about yourself, CBP, your customer, and global trade lanes.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) Increase:
Recent trade legislation H.R. 2832 changed the merchandise processing fee rate for formal entries (class code 499) from 0.21% (.0021) to 0.3464% (.003464). The minimum merchandise processing amount of $25.00 and the maximum merchandise amount of $485.00 were not changed.
CBP is in the process of modifying its automated system (ABI) to accept the new MPF rate of 0.3464%. At the present time, CBP does not have an exact date when the MPF system changes will be completed.
CBP will notify the trade in a future message when the trade can begin submitting their summaries with the new MPF rate. CBP plans to provide the trade with an approximately one weeks notice regarding the date that CBP will be able to accept the new MPF rate. This procedure applies to both ACS and ace filed summaries.
Links to the left are important items. Please take a moment and review the following two pages. The Lacey Act and 10 + 2 will have important impacts on the lives of our clients, and importers in general.
Thank You
The Staff at Sanders Brokerage Services.
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