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525 S. Douglas St. , #100• El Segundo, CA 90245 • (310) 607-8000

When we wrote our newsletter at the end of November, we assumed optimistically that the news which came out of the G20 dinner about relief from the increase would be immediately forthcoming. Two weeks later, we're thankfully getting the news we wanted to hear which is that, yes, the official announcement from the USTR is slated for publishing in the Federal Register tomorrow delaying the increase from 10% to 25% until March. The announcement comes on the heels of the Chinese taking steps to reduce the punitive duty on American automobile exports and purchasing a quantity of soybeans for the first time in months. The duty hasn't been reduced on any other products going into China, so American fishing and farming interests are still waiting for their chance to get back into the market. Will the ninety days deliver everything the Administration wants? Most likely not, but hopefully it sets both sides back on the path of having a productive discussion on fair, reciprocal trade.

FEDERAL REGISTER ANNOUNCEMENT

NOAA reinforces deadline for Seafood Import Monitoring Program information submissions. Beginning at the end of this month, Coppersmith and all customs brokers are required to submit SIMP data for shrimp and abalone products entering the United States. This data includes harvest and landing data and that importers are required to maintain chain of custody documentation that must be produced upon request. From the NOAA announcement we received: " Under SIMP, NOAA Fisheries requires name and flag state of the harvesting vessel(s); evidence of authorization to fish (farm business or license number); unique vessel identifier (e.g. IMO number); fishing gear used; species; landing date; product form, quantity and weight at landing; area of harvest or capture; point of first landing, and entity to which fish was landed or delivered. This information is required for all imports of species under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes covered by SIMP. Harvest and landing information collected is confidential and is exempt from public disclosure requirements." Click the button below for the SIMP resources website. SIMP RESOURCES WEBSITE

Holiday hours, ISF filing deadlines. Coppersmith will close at noon on December 24th and all day December 25th in observance of the Christmas holiday and again on January 1st for New Year's Day. Because of this, we have cut-off dates by which we must have information to file pre-departure and pre-arrival filings with the appropriate government agencies. If you have a problem meeting these deadlines for your shipments, please let us know immediately.

Tariffs Hurt the Heartland recently issued a report showing that from October, 2017 to October, 2018, the amount of tariffs collected by CBP was up 104% year-on-year. This increase doesn't track with an equivalent increase in imports because those were up only 13% year-on-year. The tariff collection is up because of the additional antidumping duties on products from China as well as global imports of steel and aluminum and products like washing machines, solar panels, Canadian lumber and more. The only problem is that while the administration is boasting about foreign countries paying them, the price falls to the American consumers who are purchasing the goods and will inevitably see the cost of those items rise. TARIFF REPORT

The Associated Press published a story revealing how a US sportswear company which does a lot of work on college campuses has allegedly been caught purchasing products which were made using forced labor from China. The garments were allegedly from factories in the western part of the country where the Chinese government has been active in arresting and imprisoning people of certain ethnic minorities or religions. Aside from the human rights impact, there are specific US laws which prohibit the importation of goods made from prison or slave labor. Importers working to ensure their supply chains are compliant have several resources, beginning with CBP's page on forced labor. FORCED LABOR

This seems like a good time to remind everyone that the reach of the United States government extends to companies doing business in the USA whose foreign related parties or subsidiaries are in violation of US law, such as a Chinese company accused of evading the Iran sanctions and is paying a $2.77 million civil fine for eleven violations.

Santa Claus? How about Santa Paws. This time of the year, according to CBP , the number of pets imported increases by 300% per week. As one of the largest Customs brokers for pets imported by air, Coppersmith pays close attention to the paperwork associating shipments we are asked to handle this time of year. Click here for more information about our pet services.

As we wind down 2018 and look ahead to 2019, we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for your business, your support, your friendship and your great service throughout the year. This is one of those rare times of the year where nearly everybody stops to celebrate the holidays and look ahead to the new year. We appreciate you all and look forward to a great 2019.

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