From: APL Notification [mailto:APL_Notification@apl.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 11:57 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Clean Truck Program 2nd Update

October 27, 2009

Clean Truck Program 2^nd Update

Dear APL Customer:

Previously we advised about changes to the Clean Truck Program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.  At that time the plan was for these changes to take place on November 1.  However, we are now advised that the changes will take place on Sunday, November 15, 2009. Until these changes are implemented on November 15, all cargo moving through these two Southern California ports must continue to be claimed through Port Check.  Please see the following press release from the Ports outlining the change.

Press Release from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach:

Simplified cargo claiming system BEgins November 15

Exempt Trucks No Longer Required to Claim Cargo

At the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, PortCheck is preparing to introduce a simplified cargo claiming system to reduce the administrative and economic burdens of the Clean Trucks Program (CTP). The system will be developed, tested and operational by November 15, not November 1 as previously announced.

Under the new system, cargo owners using exempt clean trucks to move local or intermodal rail cargo will no longer be required to claim cargo or pay the Clean Trucks Fee (CTF) in advance; only cargo owners using older, non-compliant trucks will be required to do so. Currently, all cargo, including intermodal cargo, must be claimed through PortCheck.

The marine terminal operators proposed this change to the two ports in response to feedback from cargo owners asking to reduce the administrative burdens and complications of the current claiming system. PortCheck is committed to easing these burdens. The changes will not reduce the ability of the Clean Trucks Program to meet its clean air goals.

Cargo owners should reference the following guidelines to ensure compliance with the new cargo claiming system:

·         Cargo owners that are absolutely certain their containers are delivered or picked up by an exempt truck in the ports’ drayage truck registry will not have to claim the cargo or booking number.

·         Cargo owners using non-exempt trucks will be denied entry until the container or booking number is claimed or paid for, or an exempt truck is used.

·         If the cargo owner is not certain whether an exempt or a non-exempt truck will pick up or deliver the container, they should continue to claim the container or booking number.

The CTF was established by the ports to pay for implementation of the CTP.  Currently, cargo owners are required to pay a CTF for cargo moved by trucks that do not meet the requirements of the CTP.  Cargo contained in a 20-foot container is subject to a $35 CTF. Cargo moved in containers larger than 20 feet is subject to a $70 CTF.

Customers can submit inquiries PortCheck customer service center by sending an email to questions@portcheck.org or calling 1-877-863-3310. 

For more information on PortCheck, please visit www.pierpass-tmf.org.

For more Information on the Clean Trucks Program of the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, please visit the ports’ web sites, www.portoflosangeles.org  and www.polb.com/cleantrucks.

PortCheck Inc. Customer Service

1-877-863-3310 (inside the United States)

1-801-559-8078 (outside the United States)

For additional information regarding this matter, please contact your APL Account Manager or Customer Support via phone at 1-800-999-7733 or via email at nam_customer_support@apl.com.

Sincerely,

APL Customer Support

*If you wish to no longer receive emails regarding service advisories, please reply to this email and add the word “remove” to the end of the subject line.  If you wish to add parties to this email, please reply and provide those individuals’ email addresses.

(08/28/2009)Import quotas control the amount or volume of various commodities that can be imported into the United States during a specified period of time. Quotas are established by legislation and Presidential proclamations issued pursuant to specific legislation and provided for in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).

There are three types of quotas: absolute, tariff-rate, and tariff preference level. Absolute quotas strictly limit the quantity of goods that may enter the commerce of the United States for a specific period. Currently, no goods are subject to absolute quota restrictions. Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) permit a specified quantity of imported merchandise to be entered at a reduced rate of duty during the quota period. Once the tariff-rate quota limit is reached, goods may still be entered but at a higher rate of duty. Many Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and other special trade legislation establish Tariff Preference Levels (TPLs) that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) administers like tariff rate quotas.

For more general information about quota, see the document titled “A Guide to Import Goods”. ( A Guide to Import Goods )

Several key factors determine whether a shipment is subject to quota requirements or eligible for preference benefits:

• HTSUS classification (based on merchandise description)
• Textile category number, used to determine proper quantity in square meter equivalents (SMEs) to apply to a quantitative restraint (see #2 below)
• HTSUS chapter notes and additional U.S. notes to HTS chapters
• Country of origin (where the goods were grown, produced, or manufactured)

Evaluating whether goods are subject to quota:

1. Determine the HTS number (classification) of the goods by:
   1. Contacting an Import Specialist at a CBP port of entry. For a list of service port telephone numbers. ( Locate a Port Of Entry - Air, Land, or Sea )
   2. Requesting a binding ruling from the Office of Regulations and Rulings, National Commodity Specialist Division. ( Requirements for Electronic Ruling Requests )
   3. cQuerying the Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) for binding rulings previously issued for similar merchandise. ( CROSS )
   4. Reviewing the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. ( Official Harmonized Tariff Schedule )
2. Determine the textile category number (if applicable). The category is a three-digit number listed in parentheses next to the HTSUS number. The category number is used for converting from the reporting quantity as noted in the HTSUS to the square meter equivalent, the unit of measure for the restraint limit of the TPL. The category number, not the conversion factor is in the HTSUS. For more information on textile categories and SME conversion factors. ( U.S. Textile and Apparel Category System (2009) )
3. Determine whether the merchandise qualifies for preferential treatment and is subject to a restraint limit under a Free Trade Agreement or other special trade program. ( Free Trade Agreements ) ( Special Trade Programs )
4. If the merchandise qualifies for preferential treatment (see above), refer to the Commodity Status Report for Tariff Rate Quotas. This weekly report provides information on imported merchandise subject to Tariff Rate Quotas. The four most recent reports are available on this web page. In addition to textiles, the Commodity Status Report also contains information about food/agricultural and non-textile products, whose quotas are specified in notes to HTS chapters. This report assists in tracking rates of fill for the various import restraint limits ( Commodity Status Report for Tariff Rate Quotas )
5. Any additional relevant information for a particular quota is posted on the CBP website in the form of Quota Book Transmittals (QBTs) and Textile Book Transmittals (TBTs). These links also contain general information related to the processing of quota-class goods. ( Quota Book Transmittals (QBTs) ) ( Textile Book Transmittals (TBTs) )

For more information on quotas see the various topics on the textiles and quota site. ( Textiles and Quotas ) If further clarification is still required, contact the CBP Headquarters Quota Branch at (202) 863-6560.

USDA: Assessment Increases on Blueberries, Potatoes; Citrus from South Africa

Assessment Increases on Blueberries, Potatoes. The Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has proposed to increase the assessment rates on imports of blueberries and potatoes. Comments on these proposed rules are due by Sept. 25.

• AMS is proposing to increase from $12 to $24 per ton the assessment rate on importers and producers who import or produce more than 2,000 pounds of highbush blueberries annually. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council recommended this action to expand its promotional activities and add an advertising component to bridge the potential gap between highbush blueberry demand and future supply. The Council also recommended to use the additional revenue to strengthen existing consumer, food service and food manufacturer publicity, to expand health research and to develop an educational campaign on good management practices and food safety within the U.S. as well as internationally.

• AMS is proposing to increase from 2.5 cents to 3 cents per hundredweight the assessment rate on importers and handlers of potatoes. This assessment is levied on (a) all potatoes produced within the 50 states, (b) tablestock potatoes imported for ultimate consumption by humans, (c) imported seed potatoes and (d) the fresh weight equivalents of imported frozen or processed potatoes for ultimate consumption by humans. The National Potato Promotion Board recommended this increase to sustain and expand its promotional, research, advertising and communications programs.

World Trade\INTERACTIVE™ is an online international trade information service, published electronically by WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. It is prepared by the law firm of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. The publisher has taken all reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of the content of this site. However, WorldTrade Interactive, Inc., and Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions.NOTE: Information contained herein is of necessity a summary of complicated and fact-specific issues. It is not intended to convey legal advice, and receipt of it does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship. Before you act on any information provided in this document, you should seek professional advice regarding its applicability to your specific circumstances.

From: OFO-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP [mailto:industry.partnership@dhs.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:41 PM
Subject: Security Bulletin - South West Border

To: Perishable Specialist, Inc., The

C-TPAT Members:

As we maintain our vigilance against extremist attacks originating from locations far from our borders, we must also recognize that many threats we face are much closer. 

Over the course of the past few months law enforcement on both sides of the US/Mexico border have made several large narcotics seizures involving commercial shipments linked to C-TPAT members. The seizures have occurred across the entire southwest border and involved both dry goods as well as fresh produce.  In most cases the narcotics were commingled with the commercial merchandise.  Of particular note is that in many instances C-TPAT members were utilizing the services of non-C-TPAT service providers.

CBP reminds members that they are expected to use C-TPAT partners to the extent possible and to conduct extensive screening of their non-C-TPAT business partners. Members must have written and verifiable processes in place to ensure this screening takes place on a consistent basis.  Given the current threat from Mexico, non-C-TPAT business partners must be afforded higher levels of scrutiny. C-TPAT members are expected to verify the security measures being utilized.

Comprehensive reviews of recent events have clearly identified two primary causative factors having enabled supply chain security breaches;

1. Companies had established security procedures in place yet failed to follow them.
2. Lack of corporate oversight ultimately resulting in significant levels of subversion of established supply chain security procedures via internal conspiracies.  

It is imperative that C-TPAT partners perform internal risk assessments to identify inherent threats to supply chain corridors and augment established security procedures accordingly.  We have taken this opportunity to identify other causative factors which you may wish to consider as you evaluate the risk factors unique to your supply chain and further, the steps that you can take to mitigate these risks.  Areas of consideration include:

Ensuring there is adequate oversight and accountability of the cargo loading and sealing process.

Employing the use of cameras and/or other suitable monitoring devices or processes at the cargo loading areas.

Ensuring that all conveyance hardware and fastening devices are inspected for overall security and deterrence of unauthorized access.  Where deficiencies are present, steps must be taken to mitigate the risk and/or harden all fastening/access devices.     

Consider the use of more stringent security devices to secure trailer doors.

Audit and verification of employee screening processes, to include periodic reviews.

Consider rotating personnel assigned to operationally sensitive positions, such as dispatcher.

Review the established processes for oversight of the transportation component.  Areas of potential weaknesses and vulnerability should be assessed.  Specific attention and focus should be provided towards addressing potential delays and/or opportunities for security breach.

Members should work with service providers to develop written and verifiable procedures to track conveyances from the point of origin to the final destination. 

Establishment of route times from the manufacturing site to various points in the transportation flow will help monitor and ensure that drivers are arriving at designated locations within established time parameters. 

Members should work with service providers to develop written and verifiable procedures to address those instances that a driver does not check in within established time parameters.  Drivers should not be allowed to make unauthorized stops. 

While the focus of this security bulletin is directed toward operations along the South West Border of the United States, all C-TPAT members are highly encouraged to take this opportunity to review their established security processes.  Continued supply chain security is dependent upon your continued vigilance.  

You are encouraged to contact your assigned Supply Chain Security Specialist to discuss ways in which your company can help CBP address this issue or if you have specific concerns that need to be addressed.

In closing, the program relays its continued appreciation of your diligent and continued efforts in securing the international supply chain.

Bradd M. Skinner

Director

C-TPAT/ Industry Partnership Programs

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Seaboard Receives 580 New 40-foot Refrigerated Containers

April 24, 2009. Seaboard Marine has recently received the majority of 580 new 40-foot refrigerated (reefer) high-cube containers at company locations in Chile, Costa Rica, and Miami, Florida. 430 of the new containers were received in the first quarter of 2009 with another 150 scheduled to be received in late May. This is in addition to 300 new 40-foot reefer containers that were purchased and delivered in 2008. All of the equipment is being utilized throughout Seaboard Marine’s network as soon as it is received to satisfy customer demand.

“Despite the global economic situation, Seaboard Marine has seen reefer cargoes remain relatively strong. It is important that we continue to provide high-quality equipment, built with superior specifications, to our valued customers, “said Edward Gonzalez, President and CEO.

All 580 of these steel containers were built by MCI, one of the world’s premier container manufacturers, using features not only making the box stronger, but also more energy efficient, hygienic, and repair friendly. This new generation of container minimizes material use while optimizing structural strength. The actual cooling machinery inserted in these reefer containers was provided by Thermo King, a global leader in transport temperature control units, using their latest Magnum series units. Using an exclusively designed scroll compressor, these highly reliable units consume forty percent less energy than traditional compressors.

“Seaboard is pleased to not only introduce the latest in next generation steel reefer containers into our fleet, but also equipment that consumes less energy while being more environmentally friendly. This benefits not just ourselves, but also our customers and the communities in which we operate”, added Gonzalez.

Swine Flu Outbreak Raises Concerns About Possible Trade Restrictions
An outbreak of swine flu that has spread to the U.S. and other countries is beginning to raise some concern about the possible imposition of trade and travel restrictions. Some such measures have already been taken; for example, a BBC article reports that “China and Russia have banned imports of pork and pork products from Mexico and three US states that have reported cases of swine flu” and that Indonesia plans to soon follow suit. According to the Associated Press, these steps have sparked fears that global trade could slow even further and jeopardize prospects for a possible economic recovery later this year. A Reuters article points out that any trade restrictions imposed due to a public health emergency would be permitted under World Trade Organization rules.

The U.S. has yet to limit international trade or travel due to the outbreak, although there were reports that the State Department was expected to issue an advisory April 27 that discourages nonessential travel to Mexico. An AP article added that the U.S. has “stepped up checks of people entering the country by air, land and sea.” Reuters noted that U.S. agricultural producers are particularly concerned about potential restrictions considering that Mexico and Canada are their two largest export markets. Another casualty could be an Obama administration effort to quickly resolve a cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico that last month saw tariffs increased on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. exports to that country.

World Trade\INTERACTIVE™ is an online international trade information service, published electronically by WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. It is prepared by the law firm of Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. The publisher has taken all reasonable steps to verify the accuracy of the content of this site. However, WorldTrade Interactive, Inc., and Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions.

NOTE: Information contained herein is of necessity a summary of complicated and fact-specific issues. It is not intended to convey legal advice, and receipt of it does not constitute or create an attorney-client relationship. Before you act on any information provided in this document, you should seek professional advice regarding its applicability to your specific circumstances.

POMTOC                                         

To Our Valued Customers,

Re: ILA Holidays for May 2009

 Please be advised POMTOC will be closed Monday, May 4th, 2009 for receiving and delivery in observance of I.L.A. Day.

 All terminal activities will resume Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 at 08:00 AM

POMTOC will also be closed Monday, May 25th, 2009 for receiving and delivery in observance of Memorial Day.

All terminal activities will resume Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 08:00 AM

A complete list of Holidays for 2009 observed by POMTOC may be viewed on our website at www.pomtoc.com in “TERMINAL NOTICES”.

Best regards,

POMTOC