Cargo Slides in January with Congestion
Port of Long Beach / http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=1413&TargetID=1
Lingering congestion at West Coast seaports drove down container cargo by 18.8 percent in January at Long Beach compared to the same month last year.
Overall, 429,490 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of containerized cargo moved through the Port of Long Beach in January. Imports numbered 213,667 TEUs, a 23.5 percent decline from January 2014. Exports slid 19.6 percent to 98,462 TEUs. Empty containers declined 7.6 percent to 117,361 TEUs.
The dramatic drop in cargo volume is due to congestion and contract issues plaguing the West Coast ports recently. Marine terminal management and longshore labor representatives have been negotiating a new contract for dock work for more than nine months. The Port of Long Beach is not part of the bargaining process.
“We have been strongly urging the two parties to come to an agreement on a new contract, so that we can clear the backlog of cargo on the docks and the ships anchored off the coast,” said Port of Long Beach Chief Executive Jon Slangerup. “We are encouraged by recent progress through Federal mediation and are hopeful that the contract will be signed soon, so that the Port complex can focus on returning operations to a normal pace.”
Last year, against which 2015 is being compared, was the third-busiest year in Port history with a total of 6.82 million TEUs.
With an ongoing $4 billion program to modernize its facilities, the Port of Long Beach continues to invest in long-term, environmentally sustainable growth.
For all the latest monthly cargo numbers, click here.
U.S. Department of Commerce Scope Ruling on Wooden Bedroom Furniture Chests
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / www.cbp.gov
On May 27, 2014, in response to a request by Ethan Allen Operations, Inc. (Ethan Allen), the Department of Commerce issued a final scope determination that Ethan Allen’s four chests (i.e. the Marlene chest, the Nadine Chest, the Serpentine chest, and the Vivica chest) are within the scope of the antidumping duty order (A-570-890) on wooden bedroom furniture from the People’s Republic of China (China). See Department of Commerce AD/CVD message 4156302, which is available in ACE and ADD/CVD Search on CBP.gov.
The Department of Commerce ruled that because the imported products are physically similar to chests which are described in the scope of the order and can store clothing, they are within the scope of the order.
The scope of the order covers wooden bedroom furniture, and specifically includes chests-on-chests, highboys, lowboys, chests of drawers, chests, door chests, and chiffoniers. The scope defines these items as follows:
- A chest-on-chest is typically a tall chest-of-drawers in two or more sections (or appearing to be in two or more sections), with one or two sections mounted (or appearing to be mounted) on a slightly larger chest; also known as a tallboy.
- A highboy is typically a tall chest of drawers usually composed of a base and a top section with drawers, and supported on four legs or a small chest (often 15 inches or more in height).
- A lowboy is typically a short chest of drawers, not more than four feet high, normally set on short legs.
- A chest of drawers is typically a case containing drawers for storing clothing.
- A chest is typically a case piece taller than it is wide featuring a series of drawers and with or without one or more doors for storing clothing. The piece can either include drawers or be designed as a large box incorporating a lid.
- A door chest is typically a chest with hinged doors to store clothing, whether or not containing drawers. The piece may also include shelves for televisions and other entertainment electronics.
- A chiffonier is typically a tall and narrow chest of drawers normally used for storing undergarments and lingerie, often with mirror(s) attached.
Importers should review their imports of wooden chests from China, including those under HTSUS subheadings 9403.50 and 9403.60, to determine whether the chests fall under the scope of the order. If you determine that your imported merchandise is subject to this AD/CVD order and your entry paperwork was filed incorrectly, please contact the filing port for guidance on how to correct the discrepancy, either through the post entry amendment/post summary correction or prior disclosure process. If you have reason to suspect that someone may be importing wooden bedroom furniture without paying the appropriate AD/CVD, it can be reported confidentially through e-Allegations. The website is: https://apps.cbp.gov/eallegations.
Importers may request a scope ruling from the Department of Commerce to determine whether products fall under the scope of an AD/CVD order. Information on requesting a scope ruling is available at http://enforcement.trade.gov/scope/Request-Scope-Ruling.html.
Savannah, GA CBP Hosts Exercise with Seaport Partners to Test Cargo Ops Business Resumption Plan
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-02-13-000000/savannah-ga-cbp-hosts-exercise-seaport-partners-test
The exercise principally tested CBP Savannah’s Business Resumption Plan to respond to a hypothetical emergency scenario involving two simultaneous incidents. The first incident involved a cargo vessel that was delayed upon arrival into the port due to an oil spill at the dock. The second involved a vessel grounding in the Savannah River turning basin. This scenario was a plausible one, and it would significantly delay the arrival of other vessels carrying national priority goods.
Stakeholder discussion focused on inter-agency and inter-industry coordination necessary to resume normal operations and expedite the release and inter-modal movement of trusted C-TPAT cargo.
Clear coordination and communication of information was of paramount concern by all stakeholders.
CBP Port of Savannah addressed the importance and processes for identifying lifesaving pharmaceutical cargo, the commercial benefits for businesses to being a trusted C-TPAT trader particularly during business resumption, and the various avenues to communicate with all affected parties.
Agencies, industry, and media also discussed the importance of ensuring a collective and concise external messaging campaign. Stakeholders recognized the impact to the community and to the public that a large-scale incident will have to port operations in Savannah and discussed measures that could address those concerns.
Participants left the exercise with a better understanding of the complexities and potential constraints faced when expediting cargo during normal operations, much less during an emergency event. CBP gained invaluable insight into port partner and stakeholder capabilities, concerns and expectations of CBP operations.
“This exercise reinforced the close working relationships, mutually beneficial interests, and open lines of communication enjoyed between Customs and Border Protection, Georgia Ports Authority, and our Trade Industry partners and stakeholders,” said Supervisory Supply Chain Security Specialist Liz Tritt.
Please visit CBP’s C-TPAT webpage to learn how trusted trader programs secure the global supply chain and benefit the program’s import/export industry partners..
Norfolk, Va., CBP Intercepts Destructive Khapra Beetle and Region’s First Plane Tree Bug
US Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/2015-02-18-000000/norfolk-va-cbp-intercepts-destructive-khapra-beetle
NORFOLK, Va., — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at the Port of Norfolk, Va., have made several significant interceptions since the start of the fiscal year, including the region’s first documented discovery of a Plane Tree Bug, and three interceptions of one of the world’s most destructive insect pests, the Khapra Beetle.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national pest interception database confirmed today that the plane tree bug is indeed a First-in-Port discovery.
CBP agriculture specialists initially intercepted the specimen December 30 in a shipment of ceramic tiles from Italy. A local USDA entomologist identified the specimen the following day as Arocatus longiceps, commonly known as the Plane Tree Bug.
The plane tree bug hails from the Eastern Mediterranean and occurs across Europe and the Near East. It feeds on plane tree seeds, but it may also feed on various ornamental tree seeds.
A local USDA entomologist also confirmed specimens from three additional insect interceptions as Trogoderma granarium, commonly known as the Khapra beetle. The first two interceptions occurred November 12 and 21 in shipments of organic soybeans from India. The latest interception occurred January 30 in a shipment of split lentils and spices from the United Arab Emirates.
These invasive insect pests were part of 59 actionable and non-reportable CBP interceptions since October 1, 2014, the start of the federal government’s current fiscal year. Other actionable interceptions included 29 invasive weed interceptions, 4 mollusk (snail) interceptions, and 24 other insect interceptions.
“Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists take very seriously their job of intercepting potentially harmful insects, plants, plant diseases and animal diseases at our nation’s border every day,” said Mark Laria, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Norfolk. "These significant pest interceptions illustrate the vital role CBP agriculture specialists play in protecting Virginia’s agricultural industries and our nation’s economic interests."
The Khapra beetle, native to India, is one of the world’s most destructive insect pests of grains, cereals and stored foods, which are some of the United States’ top export commodities. It is labeled a ‘dirty feeder’ because it damages more grain than it consumes, and because it contaminates grain with body parts and hairs. These contaminants may cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults and is especially harmful to infants.
The Khapra Beetle remains the only insect in which CBP takes regulatory action against, even while in a dead state.
“If allowed to become established in the U.S., Khapra beetle has the potential to cause wide-reaching damage, including extensive economic impact to U.S. grain industries,” said Laria.
According to the USDA, previous infestations of Khapra Beetle have resulted in massive, long term-control and eradication efforts at great cost to the American taxpayer.
California implemented extensive eradication measures following a Khapra beetle infestation discovered there in 1953. The effort was deemed successful, but at a cost of approximately $11 million. Calculated in today’s dollars, that would be about $90 million.
Currently, invasive species cause an estimated $136 billion in lost agriculture revenue annually.
CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences, risk analysis, and in imported agriculture inspection techniques. CBP agriculture specialists are the first line of defense in the protection of U.S. agriculture, forest and livestock industries from exotic destructive plant pests and animal diseases.
On a typical day nationally, CBP agriculture specialists inspect almost 1 million travelers to the U.S., and a significant amount of air and sea cargo imported to the United States. They intercept 4,379 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 440 insect pests.
Please visit CBP’s Agriculture Protection webpage to learn how CBP safeguards our nation’s economy by protecting our agriculture industries.
Click on USDA National Invasive Species for more information on invasive threats to U.S agriculture.
FMCSA Orders Shut-Down of Colorado Trucking Company
Department of Transportation / http://www.dot.gov/briefing-room/fmcsa-orders-shut-down-colorado-trucking-company-0
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared an Aurora, Colorado-based trucking company, Sorbon Transport, Inc., USDOT No. 2536669, to be an imminent hazard to public safety and ordered that it immediately shut down. A recent federal investigation revealed numerous widespread violations of critical safety regulations.
“Safety is our highest priority and companies that knowingly put the motoring public at risk will be immediately shut down,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We will continue to aggressively enforce federal safety regulations and block unsafe commercial drivers, trucks and buses from operating on our roadways.
Earlier this month, without prior notice, FMCSA safety investigators launched an investigation of Sorbon Transport during which numerous serious violations of federal regulations were found, including:
- Failing to systematically inspect, repair, and maintain its commercial vehicles. Sorbon Transport failed to provide vehicle inspection reports or evidence of a maintenance program for the company. During a roadside inspection of one of the company’s vehicles in early February, eight separate out-of-service violations, and six other maintenance-related violations, were identified. Days later, a different company vehicle was subjected to a roadside inspection in which two out-of-service violations, and 12 other maintenance-related violations, were identified.
- Failing to ensure that its drivers complied with hours-of-service regulations designed to prevent fatigue, including limitations on daily driving and maximum on-duty hours. Sorbon Transport could only provide limited driver duty records covering a single trip; those records for that single trip reflected multiple hours-of-service violations.
- Failing to ensure drivers were qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Sorbon Transport was unable to provide records related to controlled substances and alcohol testing requirements.
The FMCSA imminent hazard order directs Sorbon Transport to cease all commercial motor vehicle operations, including all interstate and intrastate transportation, from all dispatching locations or terminals. FMCSA also simultaneously revoked the carrier’s federal operating authority and suspended its USDOT number. Violating an imminent hazard out-of-service order and operating without operating authority and a USDOT number may result in civil penalties up to $60,000 as well as a criminal penalty including a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment not to exceed one year.
“Companies that ignore basic safety maintenance of their equipment, disregard hours of service requirements, and use unqualified drivers have no place on our highways and roads,” said FMCSA Acting Administrator Scott Darling. “FMCSA staff across the country are dedicated to protecting innocent lives by preventing crashes involving large commercial motor vehicles from ever occurring.”
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov/newsroom/Sorbon-Transport-IHOOS