Current TONS News

July 18, 2011

ISF Progress Reports Now Available in ACE

On July 13, 2011 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published CSMS# 11-000155 announcing that the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) had been updated to allow importers to access their own Importer Security Filing (ISF) Progress Reports at any time.

Previously, ISF Progress reports were only available to ISF filers or C-TPAT Tier 2 & 3 importers via email subscription.

The message also noted that additional ISF capabilities were being planned for ACE in 2011, including:
- The ability to query the status of an ISF transaction by bill of lading or transaction number
- The ability for C-TPAT Tier 3 importers to query individual transactions

CSMS# 11-000155, which includes a link to instructions on accessing the new ISF tool, is available at:
http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=18395

FDA Releases Food Safety Modernization Act Progress Report

On July 5, 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its latest Progress Report on Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) which details some of the milestones and provisions that have recently gone into effect.

A number of these new rules and authorities will impact importers and exporters of food products:
- Interim final rule requiring that a person submitting prior notice on imported food shipments report the name of any country to which the article was refused entry.
- Interim final rule allowing the FDA to order an administrative detention for up to 30 days if they have any reason to believe an article of food was adulterated or misbranded.
- FDA granted authority to suspend the registration of food a food facility in certain circumstances involving food that has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences to humans or animals.
- Anti-smuggling strategy developed with other government agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to the report, "The FDA and CBP also will share information on import shipments and conduct joint examinations, when appropriate, to identify shipments that may contain smuggled food."

The FSMA Progress Reports can be accessed online at:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FSMA/ucm255893.htm

US Surface Transportation Board cuts filing fees from US$20,000 to $350

THE US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has cut filing fees to make complaints on major cases from US$20,000 to $350.

"Charging a small business more than $20,000 to bring a complaint is not right," said STB chairman Daniel Elliott when it raised the possibility of reducing charges back in February.

Mr Elliott urged railroad customers to use the meditation service rather than risk a major rate case, reported American Shipper. The board is still reviewing reforms to rail competition rules, which will require railroads to show rival pricing for those shippers dependent on a single carrier, and to regulate types of cargo it currently exempts.

Egyptian civil strife behind Suez Canal strikes and disruptions

DISGRUNTLED port workers at Port Tawfiq, the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, continue to disrupt the waterway by staging a ten-minute disruption through electric power cuts.

The strike follows demonstrations of 1,000 protesters last week in Cairo, Alexandria and Suez seeking a public trial for ousted national president Hosni Mubarak since he was toppled five months ago, and prosecutions of police implicated in killing protestors.

Striking workers at the Suez Canal Shipyards are also fighting for better pay, life and insurance, said the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), reported London's Containerization International. The SCA also wishes to make it known that it is also "working with authorities to ensure the security of ships running through the canal".