M.E. Dey & Co. Honored by State Officials

On June 14^th, M.E. Dey hosted a customer appreciation event in celebration of reaching our 100^th year in business. 

The evening’s program included presentations by Mayor Tom Barrett and Secretary of Commerce Mary Burke on behalf of the Governor’s Office.  M.E. Dey was recognized for our contributions to the support and development of Wisconsin business through trade.  We received additional accolades from Harbor Commissioner Daniel J. Steininger for the successes realized through joint partnership with the Port of Milwaukee, and were particularly honored by remarks given by Port Director of Customs and Border Protection, Mike King who acknowledged M.E. Dey as having one of the highest compliance rates in the community and conducting business with the utmost integrity.

 Read more & view photos

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

Intellectual Property Rights Violations

US Customs agents continue to detect the illegal importation of merchandise bearing a counterfeit mark without presenting a commercial entry.  Large quantities of pirated DVD movies, music CD's,  clothing articles, baseball caps, duffel bags and other types of items that are not original are commonly sold south of the border. more...

CONTAINER SECURITY

The CBP program C-TPAT Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, establishes a minimum standards as to container security.  Currently, this standard is being implemented or considered by an increasing number of ocean freight carriers.  We urge all importers to contact their suppliers overseas and negotiate an agreement for their compliance to the standard. more...

Second Phase of E-Manifest Program Begins Tuesday for Commercial Vehicles Entering U.S.: Non-Compliant Entries Face Additional Screening
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Laredo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director Gene Garza announced today that all commercial vehicles entering the U.S. must pre-file an electronic manifest or they will be referred to secondary examination to determine whether the shipments will be allowed entry. more...

Important CBP Announcement - Increase in Customs Exams
31 May 2007, NCBFAA

Effective May 30, 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented updated enhancements to their internal data system that may cause an increase in the number of intensive examinations of identified “high risk” shipments.

Concurrently, the referenced enhancements should resolve issues involving Permit To Transfers (PTT) and consolidated shipments moving in-bond under one (1) Master Bill of Lading (MBL). With the new functionality, risk assessments will be conducted on individual shipments rather than being linked to other shipments under the Master Bill of Lading.

Further enhancements are contemplated. When changes take place, CBP will update the trade community in a timely manner.

Please contact your local CBP Port Office, if you have questions.

Land, Sea Passport Requirements Delayed Until Summer ’08
By Eleanor Stables, CQ Staff

Passport requirements for travelers — including U.S. citizens — entering the United States by land and sea from Canada, Mexico and Bermuda will be postponed by about six months, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced. more...

CBP to assess fines for violations of the
Wood Packaging (WPM) Import requirements.

These requirements have been in effect for nearly a year.  They require all WPM entering the United States to be properly marked to indicate that it has been either heat treated or treated with methyl bromide in accordance with the International Standards.  Immediate exportation is required of any non-complaint WPM.   This includes WPM that is unmarked, inappropriately marked or marked but found infested with live wood boring pests.  All costs associated with the handling and exportation of this material are the responsibility of the violator (importer).

ATA Carnet is a merchandise passport that is good for a year which facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries.  Virtually all goods, including samples, professional equipment, tradeshow items such a display booths, computers, repair tools, machinery, vehicles, jewelry, wearing apparel.  Items that may be eligible for an ATA Carnet that cannot be covered are consumable goods, disposable items or postal traffic. 

The carnet reduces costs to the exporter, eliminates VAT, duties, simplifies Customs procedures and eases re-entry into the US.  There is a cost for a Carnet.  The cost, starting at a minimum of $200, depends on the shipment value.   A security deposit is also required.  The security deposit often will take the form of a bond.  To apply online, goto www.unlockcustoms.org or visit www.merchandisepassport.org

SHIPPING AND TRANSPORTATION

Freedom of the Seas

Preserving freedom of the seas is one of the "foundation blocks" of the United States Navy, the commander of the Military Sealift Command told trustees of the United Seamen's Service recently.  "We can't survive as a nation without ocean trade routes and international trade, so the sea lanes must be open and free," said Rear Adm. Robert D. Reilly Jr. "Ninety-nine percent of the volume and 85 percent of the value of all intercontinental trade flows across the seas.  "Today, nearly 25 percent of the world's oil supply flows through the Strait of Hormuz on a daily basis. A closure of this critical chokepoint for any period of time would have a very substantial impact upon the U.S. economy, “he said.” In addition, with nearly 70 percent of the world's spare oil capacity located within the Persian Gulf region, it would be difficult to make up the supply differential elsewhere.  "Freedom of the seas and the economic access it provides can never be conceded in regions as vital as these," he added Speaking to the 64th annual meeting of the United Seaman's Service and its affiliate the American Merchant Marine Library Association in New York, Reilly noted, "The oceans have always been the great commons that connect us with the world. In this era of globalization, information and communication technologies inextricably link our interests and our economic prosperity to the freedom of those commons.  Our philosophy comes at a gigantic cost.  This cost relates to our defense spending.   The United States spends more on defense than the ten countries combined.  Indeed, the US nearly outspends the rest of the world in defense spending.  Our navy is the only navy that can project decisive power and control over international waters.  Our defense spending will exceed 650 billion dollars in fiscal year 2007.

LOGISTICS AWARENESS

Logistics is about cost. Logistics is about service. Both are equally important. Cost must not drive the supply chain. Quality service must not make the product uncompetitive. Low cost goals should not be allowed to save on freight dollars while allowing the demurrage costs to go through the roof – or worse, allowed to degrade your own customer service goals. Awareness beyond costs increases the effectiveness of the supply chain. Some issues to consider: more...

Plastic ducks arriving after 15 year voyage

A flotilla of plastic ducks is heading for England’s beaches. The ducks began life in a Chinese factory and were being shipped to the US from Hong Kong when three 40ft containers filled with 30,000 plastic bath toys fell into the Pacific during a storm on January 29, 1992. Two thirds of them floated south through the tropics, landing months later on the shores of Indonesia, Australia and South America. But 10,000 headed north and by the end of the year were off Alaska and heading back westwards. It took three years for the ducks to circle east to Japan, past the original drop site and then back to Alaska on a current known as the North Pacific Gyre before continuing north towards the Arctic. Some of the ducks, known as Friendly Floatees, are expected to reach Britain after a journey of nearly 17,000 miles, having crossed the Arctic Ocean frozen into pack ice, bobbed the length of Greenland and been carried down the eastern seaboard of the United States. Those that had not been trapped in circulating currents in the North Pacific, crushed by icebergs or blown ashore in Japan are bobbing across the Atlantic on the Gulf Stream and on their way to England.

High Security Bolt Seal 

As of May 25 the, 2005,  U.S. customs has formally launched the requirement that all maritime cargo containers entering through U.S. ports from foreign points of origin must be secured with a high security seal, which complies with strength values as specified in the ISO -17712 standards.

Presently, most of the countries have adopted this principle and today it is commonly required for containers to be carried sealed with high security bolt seals.

We are pleased to advise out that the seals we purchase for laden containers are all high security seals (cable/bottle) meeting the ISO 17712 standards for high security seals.

On the other hand, substantial quantities of containers carried by the company are still sealed by the supplier's seals, for which we have no control and are low standard plastic seals and/or others.

In case a container arrives at destination bearing an unauthorized seal, namely not high security bolt seal, the authorities may take serious financial and/or criminal measures, such as the detaining and/or seizing of containers, emptying the cargo, fines, etc.

We, as carriers, will reject any responsibility and/or liability, which may result from the above and will debit the Merchant with all our costs.

WORLD TRADE

The United States office of Foreign Assets Control has issued new guidelines concerning trade with the Palestinian authority.

The United States government has concluded that it is in the national interest to authorize U.S. persons to engage in all transactions with the Palestinian Authority in light of the appointment of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and a slate of ministers who are not affiliated with the designated terrorist group Hamas. Accordingly, OFAC has issued a general license (General License No 7) authorizing such transactions. More generally, while OFAC sanctions do not prohibit U.S. persons from providing assistance to, or engaging in business dealings with, undesignated private individuals, corporations, or organizations in the West Bank or Gaza, U.S. persons should be aware that dealings with designated terrorist entities such as Hamas or other designated persons remain prohibited.

U.S., New Zealand Establish Joint Trade Security Arrangement

United States and Vietnam Sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

United States and Panama Sign Trade Promotion Agreement

U.S., South Korea sign free trade agreement

Statement by U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab regarding the expiration and renewal of Trade Promotion Authority

Service Advisory for customers that ship with APL

Import Per Diem Billing Policy

Store Door Deliveries vs. CY Moves Policy Reminder & Key Email Box Contact

ASIA

China, U.S. to Step Up Anti-Piracy Work

Beijing Cultural Law Enforcement Agency officers destroy pirated DVDs and CDs video and music material in the outskirts of Beijing, China Saturday April 14, 2007. China has promised to pursue product pirates identified by American authorities in a new effort to stamp out its thriving counterfeit industry, the head of the U.S. Customs agency said Friday June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel, FILE

Commerce Department Announces Updated Export Controls for China
WASHINGTON June 15, 2007

 The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) today announced significant changes to U.S. dual-use export licensing policy for certain high-technology exports to the People’s Republic of China. more...

Qingdao encounters worsening container shortage

SHIPPING companies in Qingdao experienced a severe shortage of containers in May and June this year as a result of surging export volume in the city since April, Xinhua reported. more...

China's Consumer Market: Opportunities and Challanges
6/11/2007 - by Prema Nakra

Everyone is talking about the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China), and not just because the country is hosting the next Olympic Games. Today China stands tall as a one of the fastest growing economies in the world. more...

Enhancing Secure Trade with China

Remarks by Mario Mancuso
Under Secretary of Industry and Security
U.S. Department of Commerce

The Center for Global Business is offering courses in Fall 2007 at the Pewaukee campus, most of them in the evenings and some in an accelerated format.

CRN 10165 - Global Business Fundamentals – 3 credits
Tuesdays, September 4 – December 18, 2007, 6:00 pm-8:55 pm

CRN 10166 – International Marketing – 3 credits
Mondays, September 10 – December 17, 2007, 1:30 pm-4:25 pm

CRN 10167 – Global Supply Chain Procurement – 3 credits  ACCELERATED
Thursdays, September 6 – October 11, 2007, 5:30 pm-9:25 pm

CRN 10168 – Global Supply Chain Logistics – 3 credits  ACCELERATED
Thursdays, November 1 – December 13, 2007, 5:30 pm-9:25 pm

CRN 10169 – Global Sourcing – 3 credits
Mondays, September 10 – December 17, 2007, 6:00 pm-8:55 pm

CRN 10170 – Fundamentals of Importing – 3 credits
Wednesdays, September 5 – December 19, 2007, 6:00 pm-8:55 pm

For course descriptions and to register, go to:www.wctc.edu or register by phone at 262-691-5578.

Areas of Study: Business, General Business, Global Business