Headquarters’
Session 2010
It’s
time….for our annual get together in Zurich! The HQ 2010 will be held from 18
to 21 March 2010 at the Swissôtel Zurich-Oerlikon. Please immediately
register for this unique event with interesting meetings and excellent
opportunity for networking. The registration is open until 01 February, 2010
and can be made online on our website “www.fiata.com”.
US sanctions against Iran extended to freight forwarders
The US administration is trying to cut Iran’s economic links
with the rest of the world by tightening the existing sanctions regimes.
Until now the Insurance and Bangkok sectors have been targeted however the
latest announcements in the USA provide amended
regulations to trading with Iran that apply to US companies and specifically
mention freight forwarders. US officials are concentrating
on hampering goods going to and from Iran and especially focusing on overseas
transhipment points. The Treasury Department’s
Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a separate listing of vessels
which may not be chartered, booked cargo on, or otherwise
dealt with. According to our UK member BIFA a website exists for vessel
verification under
http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/actions/20080910.shtml
New Customs
regulations implemented in the Dominican Republic
On 20 January 2010 the SIGA (Sistema Integrado de Gestion
Aduanera) has started. It is a new Dominican customs automatic system
at Caucedo port. The same will apply at all ports, airports and land borders.
The implementation has been done in phases, so not all
ports and airports are going online at the same time. The dates have been
modified several times because more time is needed
for smooth implementation.
The purpose of the implementation of this new automatic system
will be mandatory to declare the consignee’s RNC (Registro Nacional
del Contribuyente) for Dominican companies, Cedula de Identidad y Electoral
(national ID) for Dominican citizens and permanent legal
residents or Passport number for foreigners for all import cargo. There is a
requirement to report the Shippers/Notify Party “Tax
Identification Number”. Dominican Customs is aware of the difficulties
involved with providing the shippers’ tax ID, and are working on an
alternative.
Importer Security Filing (ISF) – 10+2 rule
We like to remind you that the flexible enforcement period
ended on 26 January, 2010. The US Department of Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) may issue liquidated damages of USD 5’000.00 per violation
for the submission of an inaccurate, incomplete or
untimely filing.
The FIATA Foundation tackles a new training project
After "Train-the-Trainer" courses imparted in
Mongolia, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan, Mexico and Syria, the FIATA Foundation will
launch its
7th training mission in Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) starting from
20 February until 6 March 2010. During this course, attendants from
the
Freight Forwarding sector and related industries will benefit from intensive
training sessions and workshops on all relevant modules of the
"FIATA Minimum Standards" including interactive sessions on
pedagogy and andragogy (adult learning). The objective of the assignment
is to assist the local Association to build up its own training organisation
and to offer programmes which enables successful student to
apply for the "FIATA Diploma by Vocational Training and
Examination".
WCO calls on international Customs community to expedite
humanitarian assistance for Haiti
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has called on Customs
authorities around the world to expedite humanitarian assistance for
Haiti following the devastating earthquake which hit the country on 12
January 2010.
In the event of a natural disaster (for example, an
earthquake) and similar catastrophes (for example, a burst dam), aid to those
affected
by such catastrophes obviously needs to be delivered and moved across
international boundaries efficiently and expeditiously.
The effectiveness of humanitarian assistance is dependent to a
large extent on the speed with which it can be provided. It is therefore
imperative that Customs administrations be as facilitative as possible and be
prepared to clear goods rapidly that are being forwarded as
aid.
Example: USA - "What is required to ship
charity goods from the US to Haiti?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Census Bureau are
coordinating efforts regarding the submission of Electronic Export
Information (EEI) via the Automated Export System. The Census Bureau has the
Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division Call Centre that
will provide assistance to all exporters seeking to ship relief supplies to
Haiti. The Call Centre phone number is 1-800-549-0595. The Call
Centre will provide assistance with registering with Census and filing the
EEI for shipments of relief supplies going to Haiti.
Additional information may be found on the Census Bureau’s web
site at www.census.gov/foreign-trade/index.html.
FIATA has immediately donated to the International Committee
of the Red Cross for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, and would like
to motivate our Association members to do the same.
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