- Thursday, 11/26, PNCT & Maher Terminal will be CLOSED for Thanksgiving Day and will re-open Friday, 11/27
- PierPass: Terminals at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have announced their schedules for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend - See Schedule
Port Authority Prepared to Assist Thanksgiving Holiday Travelers
Port of New York and New Jersey
Approximately 4.7 million travelers are projected to use the Port Authority bridges, airports, tunnels and PATH system during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and the agency is putting measures in place to accommodate the anticipated heavy travel volume.
From Wednesday, November 25, through Sunday, November 29, the Port Authority will provide customer service representatives at the airports and a full complement of toll collectors at its tunnels and bridges to make the holiday trip as smooth as possible.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, more than 1.4 million passengers will travel through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, Atlantic City International and Stewart International airports. Due to the high volume of traffic, the agency encourages travelers to allow extra time to get to the airport and to check with their carrier about whether their flight will depart on schedule.
During the five-day holiday period, approximately 674,700 passengers will use Kennedy Airport, 455,200 will use Newark Liberty Airport and 331,700 are projected to use LaGuardia Airport. Approximately 16,900 passengers are expected to use Atlantic City International Airport and 3,100 passengers are expected to use Stewart International Airport.
In addition to a full complement of customer service representatives, the Port Authority will assist air travelers at its airport Welcome Centers, which provide information about ground transportation, hotels and other useful information. Airport customers also can find helpful features on the agency’s website, www.panynj.gov, which they can access at the welcome centers to check flight status and other airport-related services.
For travelers planning to drive to LaGuardia Airport, please allow extra time as some on-airport parking lots may be full due to heavy demand and reduced availability related to ongoing airport construction projects. Travelers should plan ahead by visiting www.parkintheairport.com to check availability or to reserve a space, or call 1-800-AIRRIDE for alternative transportation options.
For travelers using long-term parking facilities at JFK and Newark Liberty International airports, the agency offers a coupon that provide $2 off every $18 spent on standard long-term airport parking rates. The coupons are available through January 8 and can be found on the Port Authority’s website – www.parkintheairport.com.
The Port Authority also offers AirTrain service to both JFK and Newark International Airports. AirTrain JFK connects to New York City mass transit via stations at Jamaica and Howard Beach. AirTrain Newark connects to Amtrak and NJ Transit via the Northeast Corridor line. More information on AirTrain and other public transportation alternatives is available by calling 1- 800 AIR-RIDE.
Approximately 3.3 million vehicles are forecast to use Port Authority bridges and tunnels during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Work on the Bayonne Bridge project will be suspended from 5 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, and resume at 9 a.m. Monday, November 30. Work also will be cancelled on all ongoing projects at the George Washington Bridge, as well as the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. For additional information, travelers can call the Port Authority’s "Customer Connection" line at 800-221-9903 or visit www.panynj.gov.
At the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the Day before Thanksgiving is typically the busiest travel day of the year with commuter traffic mixing with holiday travelers. The agency encourages customers to allow extra travel time to make their bus connections and urges bus travelers to purchase tickets in advance.
PATH will operate additional service as necessary prior to the evening peak period on Wednesday, November 25, to accommodate commuters leaving early for the holiday weekend and additional service will be provided for customers attending the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
CBP Participates in Consumer Product Safety Summit
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
MEXICO CITY — U.S. Customs and Border Protection participated in the third North America Consumer Product Safety Summit, a tri-lateral conference of the consumer product safety regulating agencies of Mexico, the United States and Canada, on Nov. 18-19 in Mexico City. CBP discussed the “One U.S. Government at the Border” trade initiative and its collaboration with U.S. federal consumer products and import safety regulating agencies, like the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
“This Summit was an opportunity for enforcement and import safety agencies of North America to create a foundation to strengthen our efforts towards working together in combatting the entry of unsafe goods into our markets,” said Cynthia Whittenburg, Executive Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Programs for CBP’s Office of International Trade. “This Summit not only displayed the benefit of joint agency collaboration, but also the benefit of international cooperation.”
The Summit focused on the cooperation between Mexico, Canada, and the United States in working towards the common goal of achieving the highest level of safety for consumers across North America and to promote a global culture of product safety. CBP highlighted its ongoing collaborative efforts with CPSC through the Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center (CTAC), as well as, some of the agency’s trade initiatives, such as the advancement of the International Trade Data System (ITDS), the implementation progress of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), and the development of a Single Window for all U.S. import/export requirements. The Single Window is another tool for ensuring cooperation amongst U.S. federal authorities, establishing a system for making border-related import decisions, and regulating goods crossing our nation’s borders. CBP also discussed plans to hold a similar event like the July 2015 U.S.-Canada Table Top Import Safety Exercise in Mexico in early 2016.
“CPSC and CBP have a close and productive working relationship in the U.S., but now collaborating with our international partners and together working to increase mission effectiveness, adds another layer towards protecting our shores from unsafe imports,” said Carol Cave, Deputy Director, CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations. “This Summit provided an excellent opportunity for the countries of North America to better interface and understand how we might be able to work more closely to better protect consumers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.”
The Summit, jointly conducted by CPSC, Health Canada, and the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco), also garnered participation from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT).
Port Considers New Measure to Speed Cargo Flow
Port of Long Beach
Flexible 'free time' could encourage faster delivery
To increase velocity of cargo moving out of the Port of Long Beach, officials will consider reducing the amount of time import containers can be stored on docks without charge.
Since 2005, the length of time containers can stay on the dock, called “free time,” has been four days. Beyond that, terminals are charged storage fees. With larger vessels calling on the Port regularly, there are more containers at terminals, inhibiting the ability of workers to deliver containers quickly and efficiently.
Port officials are proposing changing free time to six shifts, the equivalent of as few as three days, to encourage terminals to more consistently operate at night, moving imports off the docks faster.
“When containers stack up in terminals, it leads to extra handling that makes the process slower for longshore workers, the shippers that depend on them, truckers who move the goods, and ultimately the consumer,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Jon Slangerup. “This approach will keep the system more fluid and help avoid congestion.”
In the coming weeks, Port staff will work with all stakeholders to develop a final plan that will be proposed to the Board of Harbor Commissioners for consideration.
“Truckers have told us their containers are not always accessible because of fewer evening shifts, and terminal operators want to clear space in their yards while giving their customers enough time to get their cargo,” said Port of Long Beach Chief Commercial Officer Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “Our idea, ‘flexible free time,’ is an innovative use of the tools we have to balance those needs.”
CBP Offers Tips To Reduce Holiday Travel Delays At Border
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers who are planning trips across the border to anticipate an increase in traffic due to U.S. Thanksgiving holiday observation, and Black Friday shopping events.
As a reminder, the Ports of Cannons Corner and Churubusco have limited immigration processing capabilities. It is suggested that travelers requiring immigration document processing use an alternate port of entry.
CBP’s overall Resource Optimization Strategy intends to maximize existing resources, identify staffing needs, and explore funding sources to support staffing needs. CBP also encourages travelers to be familiar with U.S. rules and regulations.
Travelers looking for ways to improve their travel experience should consider the following tips:
- Acquire the appropriate travel document. Passports, U.S. Passport Cards, Enhanced Driver’s Licenses are just a few of the approved documents. A list of all approved travel documents can be found at www.getyouhome.gov.
- Join NEXUS. NEXUS allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to proceed with little or no delay into the U.S. and Canada. Application forms are available on the Canada Border Services Agency website at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca and travelers can apply online at www.cbp.gov. Additionally, NEXUS information is available toll-free at 1-866-NEXUS 26 (1-866-639-8726).
- Check border wait times. Plan ahead. Give yourself extra time. Check traffic conditions at the border crossings within the region and select the crossing that is least congested. Travelers can download CBP’s Border Wait Time “APP” to their mobile devices for real time border crossing traffic conditions. The app is available in both Google Play and Apple stores. Travelers can also obtain current border traffic conditions at www.cbp.gov/travel/advisories-wait-times
- If possible travel during non-peak travel times. Peak travel times around the Black Friday shopping event generally begin Thursday evening and last into Friday early afternoon. If you are able, leave the night before to avoid peak traffic delays.
- Prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Have your travel documents in hand, roll down vehicle windows and remove hats and sunglasses before entering the inspection area.
- Travelers are encouraged to visit the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP website. To avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of restricted or prohibited items become educated prior to traveling, this includes agriculture products. Please visit www.cbp.gov/travel.
- Declare your goods. Travelers should declare all items being brought from abroad that will remain in the U.S. This includes gifts and Duty Free purchases.
- Food and Plants. There are numerous agricultural restrictions on fruits, meats, and plants. Before bringing these items back, check the CBP website on bringing agricultural products into the U.S. If you decide to take your chances and bring it with you, be certain to declare it, and be willing to surrender it if it turns out to be prohibited.
Philips Lighting North America Agrees to Pay $2 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Defective Lamps and Implement Compliance Program
Consumer Product Safety Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Philips Lighting North America Corp., of Somerset, N.J., has agreed to pay a $2 million civil penalty to the government. The penalty settles charges that the company knowingly failed to report to CPSC, as required by federal law, information about a defect and an unreasonable risk of serious injury with EnergySaver (a/k/a/ “Marathon” or “Marathon Classic”) compact fluorescent lamps.
After numerous complaints about glass separating from the body of the lamps and striking people and objects, and attempting multiple design changes to fix the problem, Philips failed to report the matter to CPSC. The incidents resulted in 10 reports of lacerations and seven reports of property damage.
In addition to paying the $2 million civil penalty, Philips has agreed to implement and maintain a compliance program to ensure compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) and a related system of internal controls and procedures.
The compliance program requires written standards and policies and written procedures to ensure that all information regarding the firm’s compliance with the CPSA, including reports and complaints, whether an injury is referenced or not, is conveyed to the firm’s responsible employees. The compliance program also must address:
- confidential employee reporting of compliance concerns to a senior manager;
- effective communication of compliance policies and procedures, including training;
- senior management responsibility for, and board oversight of, compliance; and
- requirements for record retention.
The lamps were recalled in August 2011, after Philips had manufactured about 1.86 million units. Grocery and home center stores, online retailers, and professional electrical distributors sold the lamps from March 2007 through July 2011 for between $11 and $24 each
Philips does not admit to CPSC staff’s charges.
The penalty agreement has been accepted provisionally by the Commission by a 4 to 1 vote.