Trade News Snapshot - Volume 6, Issue 2

Contents

• EAC's Message
• I. Office of Trade Activity
  • Registration period continues for Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit
  • CBP conducts site visits in Mexico
  • CBP deploys “de minimis violator” reports in ACE
  • CBP and HSI celebrate International Customs Day
• II. Outreach
  • CBP calls for Broker Continuing Education accreditors
  • EAC Highsmith addresses the Pacific Coast Council
  • EAC Highsmith headlines CBP Women in Leadership Panel
• III. News You Can Use
  • Article 1: CBP tops 1 billion cut flower imports for Valentine’s Day
  • Article 2: CBP K9 sniffs out the illegal import of mummified monkey remains
  • Article 3: Three shipments yield more than $1.2 million in fake luxury merchandise
  • Article 4: CBP & HSI repatriate precious cultural artifact to Mexico
  • Article 5: Clothing Wholesaler Executive Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Customs Fraud Scheme
• Trade Statistics
  • Monthly Trade Statistics

I. Office of Trade Activity

 Registration period continues for Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit

Registration for the 2024 Trade Facilitation and Cargo Security Summit on March 26-28 remains open to the public. The event will feature discussions with private and public sector panelists from various entities, networking opportunities, remarks from CBP leadership, and more. While spots for the in-person event in Philadelphia are no longer available, participants can register to attend virtually via the Summit webpage until Thursday, March 14.  

CBP conducts site visits in Mexico

From February 12 to February 23, a joint CBP and HSI delegation conducted the very first Textile Production Verification Team visit to Mexico under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The team visited 31 factories with the purpose of verifying production capacity and reviewing compliance with rules of origin for textiles products imported into the United States claiming preferential duty treatment under USMCA. As the USMCA is the second most utilized U.S. trade agreement for textiles, compliance with its requirements is crucial for the economies of both countries.

CBP deploys “de minimis violator” reports in ACE

On February 8, the Office of Trade’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program office deployed two “de minimis violator” reports. The surge in e-commerce, marked by a significant increase in de minimis shipments, or those valued at $800 or less, has notably altered the trade landscape. In 2023 alone, CBP processed more than 1 billion de minimis shipments. The new ACE reports have significantly improved CBP’s ability to identify potential violators who illegally claim duty-free treatment for these imports.

CBP and HSI celebrate International Customs Day 

On February 12, CBP and HSI hosted a joint ceremony to celebrate International Customs Day. Officials from both CBP and HSI gathered in Washington, D.C. to recognize more than 260 CBP and HSI employees as well as staff from other partner government agencies with more than 40 World Customs Organization (WCO) Certificates of Merit. Each certificate honored a unique contribution to global security, a significant contribution to the global customs community, noteworthy leadership or problem-solving skills, or the pursuit of an innovative initiative. CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner (EAC) AnnMarie R. Highsmith delivered the keynote address at the event, noting the vast impact that customs work and the partnerships CBP maintains have in the United States and abroad.

II. Outreach

CBP calls for Broker Continuing Education accreditors

On February 6, the Office of Trade published a Request for Proposals on the System for Award Management for parties interested in becoming recognized accreditors for CBP’s broker continuing education requirement. The accreditors chosen will be responsible for reviewing proposed broker training and educational activities to determine their eligibility for the new continuing education credits requirement. 

EAC Highsmith addresses the Pacific Coast Council

On February 5, EAC Highsmith addressed the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders in Washington, D.C. In her remarks, EAC Highsmith emphasized the vital partnership between trade and CBP. The discussion touched on a variety of topics, such as informed compliance and the role of technology, and highlighted brokers’ frontline role in ensuring the seamless flow of international trade along the U.S. Pacific Coast. 

EAC Highsmith headlines CBP Women in Leadership Panel

To herald in Women’s History Month in March, EAC Highsmith spoke at the Women in Leadership Panel on February 23 in Long Beach, California. The panel also featured Office of Field Operations Acting Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations Cheryl M. Davies, and Port Director Africa R. Bell. The panelists shared their experiences at CBP and discussed strategies for the agency to recruit, retain, and empower women in their professional growth and leadership journeys. More than 750 people attended the event in person or virtually.

III. News You Can Use

• CBP tops 1 billion cut flower imports for Valentine’s Day

• CBP K9 sniffs out the illegal import of mummified monkey remains 

• Three shipments yield more than $1.2 million in fake luxury merchandise 

• CBP & HSI repatriate precious cultural artifact to Mexico 

• Clothing Wholesaler Executive Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Customs Fraud Scheme

Trade Statistics

Monthly Trade Statistics

In January 2024, CBP processed more than 2.7 million entry summaries valued at more than $267 billion, identifying estimated duties of nearly $7 billion to be collected by the U.S. government. Trade via the ocean environment accounted for more than 44 percent of the total import value, followed by air, truck, and rail. CBP identified 424 entries valued at more than $236 million for further examination based on the suspected use of forced labor, and which may be subject to a Withhold Release Order, Forced Labor Finding, or the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act’s rebuttable presumption prohibiting importation into the United States.