Pacific Coast Council Mission to Washington

On May 19^th members of all five broker/forwarder associations from the West Coast assembled in Washington D.C. to meet with staff at the headquarters of Customs & Border Protection (CBP).  Richard DiNucci told us that all comments had been reviewed for the Importer Security Filing (“10+2”).  The data sets will be published any day [June 2^nd] and the final rule is already being examined by OMB.  Once the data sets are published, the trade will have 60-90 days to reprogram and one year of informed compliance will commence.  On the one year anniversary of OMB’s approval of the final rule, enforced compliance will take effect.

CBP is preparing for a possible West Coast labor strike, and hopes to coordinate staffing as diversions arise.  Also, we learned that CBP is preparing to make all in-bonds electronic and that all modes will have the same closeout timeline of 20 days.

Pictured on left: The CBFANC contingent: (from left: Chris Garcez, Jack Hubbard, Jeanne Burns, & Renata Pearson)

Census briefed us on their plans to give seminars and town hall meetings concerning the new AES regulations.  Jerry Greenwell assured us that on the 121^st day after the publishing of the final rule [a couple weeks ago], we would see a headline “above the fold” in the New York Times that an exporter had been caught breaking the new regulations.

On May 20^th our Northern California missionaries met with the offices of congresswomen Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Jackie Speier, and senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.  Leading the way, our PCC president Jack Hubbard argued that the ISF needs to be filed by an American broker if the legislation is actually about security.  We also lobbied in favor of the Calvert bill on infrastructure, HR.5102, and Barbara Boxer stepped into the meeting right at that point and told us that she also supported this legislation.  All offices we met with were very generous in giving us time to voice our concerns.  We were unhappy, however, to find that one office was aware of CBP’s plan to end the First Sale rule, and that this new income would be welcome after the moratorium expires in 2011 [per the recently passed farm bill].

(pictured on right: Census Panel)

The highlight of the Mission for me was our briefing at the Federal Maritime Commission where Terri Bartle and Brenda Barnes of the Columbia River association exposed the abuses of carriers toward exporters.  The list of atrocities was long and included lack of equipment, refusing new clients, refusing certain commodities altogether, extorting new fees beyond what existing contracts allow, and on and on.  The FMC promised to hold hearings on the matter, and we keep our fingers crossed that they mean business.

Chris Garcez

Legislative Chair

April 2008 Exam Results

 The following are some of the statistics from the April 2008 exam.

- Approximately 1600 people registered for the exam nationwide.

- Approximately 1400 people sat for the exam.

- Nationally there was a 20.4% pass rate.

- CBFANC's CHB prep class had a pass rate of 40%, double the national average, and three students came with in one point of passing - we wish them the best on the next test!

Note: Anyone obtaining a score of 70-74% should review their answer sheets to determine whether they can file an appeal.  Appeals must be received by CBP within 60 days of the date of the notice of examination results.

For anyone wishing to take the October exam, the broker prep course is starting on July 1^st.  All of the information for the class will be available on the CBFANC website (www.cbfanc.org).

Renata Pearson

Educational Co-Chair

SAVE THE DATE FOR WESSCON 2008

 Wesccon 2008 will be held on October 2nd through October 5th at the Catamaran Resort and Spa in San Diego.  The conference will address the serious challenges and changes that face our industry.  Panels will explore the implementation of 10 + 2 by CBP and provide a forum for brokers to exchange thoughts about the Importer Security Filing (ISF) program and its impact on our businesses.  Are you ready for the new AES regulations?  Wesccon 2008 will offer sessions on what the new regulations will mean to forwarders and NVOs, and what new penalty liabilities face the industry.  And, is anyone ready for ACE?  Is Customs?  Attend hands on sessions that will offer additional training, and get the latest information ACE roll outs.

 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Avalon Risk Management is again generously sponsoring a scholarship program that will help defray the expenses of first time Wesccon attendees.  Recipients will receive $1000.00 toward travel and hotel costs.  They will also receive trade publications from Commonwealth Business Media.  Details are available on the website, www.wesccon.com

Education is the key to the future.  Life is a Beach…join us in San Diego as our educational partnership continues, and ride the wave into the future!

Jack Hubbard

President

Pacific Coast Council

ACE Educational Event

The May Educational Event was well attended by the brokerage and forwarder community.  There were some great tips and flyers that were provided to the attendees of the program. 

If for some reason no one from your company was able to attend, the handouts are available on the CBFANC website (http://www.cbfanc.org/pastevents.htm). 

The next educational event is June 18^th on Wearing Apparel – Textiles - Footwear.  To register for the event, please follow the link: http://www.cbfanc.org/pastevents12.htm.

Meghan E McBurney

Newsletter Chair

4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of Northern California (CBFANC)

San Francisco Air Cargo Association (SFACA)

4th Annual CBFANC/SFACA Charity Golf Tournament

Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, CA

July 28, 2008 Shotgun start at 13:00

Proceeds will benefit  Leonard R. Flynn School

·         Round of golf at a great course - www.playcrystalsprings.com

·         Support a great cause:  Leonard R. Flynn School: http://www.flynnelementary.org/

·         Prizes for long drive (Men and Women) and 4 Closest to the Pin Contest Holes

·         Box Lunch and Dinner with golf buddies, old friends and new friends

·         Raffle

·         Great Networking Opportunity!

·         “Mulligans” will be available for purchase at registration

Putting Contest - First Prize is Two Round Trip Airline Tickets Donated by Southwest Airlines!

(Tickets are $10.00 payable at the event)

“Dinner Only” Registration available

($35.00 per person for SFACA/CBFANC Members and $40.00 for non-members)

Thanks To All The Sponsors – Together They Have Raised Over $11,000

Visit www.cbfanc.org  for a complete list of sponsors

Sponsorships are available and raffle donations are encouraged

HELP US MEET THE GOAL OF $15,000 TO BENEFIT THE SCHOOL

E-mail aaron.hardy@expeditors.com or judyf@rkgllc.com.

Register Early - On-line

Click here for registration form

Thank you to the following 2008 Golf Sponsors:

So far we have raised over $11,000 in prizes and cash to benefit the school. There's still time to sponsor this very important cause - it is an excellent opportunity to donate cash and prices, while getting in front of the major decision makers in the industry.

Sponsor now to reach our goal of $15,000!

• Raffle – there will be a raffle during dinner. Donations are welcome – such as a round of golf at a private course, golf "stuff", day spa, wine country tour, wine, etc, etc.

• Gold Sponsor ($250) 

• Silver Sponsor ($200) 

• Bronze Sponsor ($150)

2008 CBFANC EVENT SCHEDULE

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

 June 18^th           Wearing Apparel/Textiles/Footwear

June 21^st           Classification & GRIs (Renata Pearson)

July 16th           Summer Break / No event

Aug 20^th            Become a Carnet Expert

(See the complete listing on www.cbfanc.org)

GENERAL MEETINGS OF NOTE

 July 28              4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Dec.5                CBFANC Annual Meeting