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Shippers Letter
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Import Update January/February 2004 |
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U.S. House Approves Funds for Ocean Freight Review
Since 9/11, air shipments have been the forefront of international shipping issues. Now, ocean freight has been given its turn. The U.S. House of Representatives approved $7.1 billion, allowing the Coast Guard to review the security plans of foreign ships entering U.S. territorial waters. The Coast Guard will report to Congress on the quantity and type of cargo containers and ships that enter U.S. ports, allowing them the ability to develop a method to certify “classification societies” which foreign governments rely on for maritime security and safety inspections. Recent studies have warned that terrorists may use container ships in terror attacks, hoping to cause extensive casualties.
Fumigation Regulations for Shipments from Mexico and Canada
Expect new fumigation requirements for shipments arriving in the USA in April or May of 2004. Although they are not complete, the new regulations indicate that all wooden packaging must be bark-free, heat treated or fumigated, and for each shipment entering the U.S., a certificate confirming the treatment is required, along with proper marking on the packing. For more information on this topic, please contact USDA:
Electronic Filing Rules
Effective January 5, 2004, new rules were implemented requiring carriers or shippers to electronically report import and export cargo data to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection before shipments arrive or depart U.S. ports or borders.
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Mae Dey History Found
The archives at the Historical Society yielded interesting information on Mae Elizabeth Dey, founder of M.E. Dey, from a 1928 book entitled “Business Women of Milwaukee”. Mae was born in Appleton and moved to Milwaukee, entering the Commercial College in 1901 to study bookkeeping and stenography. She was the fifth woman nationwide to accept an appointment as a customs house broker by the Collector of Customs. She studied the clarinet, conducted a ladies’ orchestra and enjoyed golf.
China Export Growth
The Journal of Commerce reports that China’s foreign trade is expected to decline in 2004. According to Vice Premier Wu Yi, a former trade minister, China’s exports are expected to drop because of the immense trade base from 2003 (estimated at $840 billion, up from $620 billion in 2001), rising trade friction, and a cut in tax rebate rates beginning in 2004.
8,000 TEU Ships Planned for Pacific Lane
By 2007, over 80 new ships, which have a capacity of 8,000 TEU’s, are expected to enter the Pacific fleet of container ships servicing North America and Canadian imports and exports. With imports increasing each year, and ships running at 90% of capacity, shipping lines introduced mega-ships into their Asian/European services in 2003, with 8,000 TEU ships to be introduced into the transpacific lane in 2004. Unfortunately, until these ships are built, capacity will continue to run high, allowing shipping lines to demand premium pricing for shipments. |
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