525 S. Douglas St. , #100• El Segundo, CA 90245 • (310) 607-8000
Starting on July 1, 2020 the USMCA is designed to improve and increase trade flow and efficiency among North America’s three largest trading partners making for a fairer trade policy between the nations. The attempt to create an egalitarian facilitation of trade rules is evident in the updates coming next month. Between updates to the de minimis, Regional Value Content, and labor rules, the impetus to provide a more level playing field is obvious.

The opening of Canadian dairy markets to US producers and enhanced protections to intellectual property, reductions of trademark terms and uniform portals to update the customs requirements, the biggest equalizer might be the reduction of criteria required for certificates of origin, which benefits companies who may not have access to exact documentation, but have enough information to provide a compliant portion of the necessary documentation.
MANIFEST CONFIDENTIALITY IS NOW EASIER TO SECURE
A new digital application tool from US Customs and Border Protection enables importers and exporters to request and receive approval for manifest confidentiality within 24 hours. Previously requests had to be submitted in writing and could take from 60-90 days to happen. Confidential data will no longer be included on the CD-ROM data that is compiled daily via CBP for certified shippers.
U.S., BRAZIL, RUSSIA ON BANNED LIST FOR EU ENTRY
Though the EU has reopened its borders to 14 countries, the U.S., Brazil and Russia aren't on the list as coronavirus cases surge in the three nations. The criteria for rescinding the ban on countries required they meet or are below the EU average of developing cases of COVID-19. This could spell issues with already reduced air freight capacity as fewer flights between the US and EU means there will be less belly space to move cargo, further stressing the freighters that are working overtime in this pandemic and artificially keeping rates high.
NEWS FROM COPPERSMITH
COPPERSMITH CELEBRATES 4TH OF JULY

We're getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July and it might be our favorite holiday here at Coppersmith! As members of the American Pyrotechnics Association and National Fireworks Association, we're dedicated to helping consumers and professionals who are importing fireworks for Independence Day festivities.

Coppersmith will be closed July 3 rd  in observance of Independence Day. All ISF Filing documentation will need to be presented to our offices by July 2 nd  to assure timely filing with U.S. governmental agencies.

The capacity reduction caused by carriers blanking sailings has driven rates higher than they would be if the actual supply was available for the demand. Because of delays and market changes caused by the coronavirus pandemic, sailings between the US and China have been unsteady since April, with May being one of the worst months in a decade for many ports. As carriers try to adjust schedules to meet demand, they've blanked sailings and caused further equipment imbalances and delays due to cargo not being rotated on a regular schedule.
There is some hope on the horizon though because blanked sailings between Asia and Europe have already been announced for the third quarter with no new blanks announced for the Asia to US trade lanes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has proposed reforms for brokers designed to modernize oversight of the logistics industry. According to STR Trade, these updates are expected to "professionalize the broker industry; formalize current practices, including those associated with the transfer of trade functions to CBP’s Centers of Excellence and Expertise; and adapt regulations to reflect technological advancements such as the creation and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment. Major changes include switching from a district permit system to a national permit system and increasing the broker license application fee."
Please check out their full overview and summary at the button below.
China has passed a restrictive Hong Kong security law that punishes secession, subversion of the central government, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces punishable by up to life in prison. Critics say the law undermines the autonomy guaranteed in Hong Kong's constitution, "Basic Law", which went into effect in 1997 when Hong Kong was granted sovereignty by the UK. Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam states that crimes would be clearly defined and only impact a small portion of the people of Hong Kong.
The White House is considering adding tariffs to EU wines due to both the Digital Services Taxes being placed on the U.S. and the dispute over the European Union subsidies for Airbus, as detailed by the World Trade Organization. Any new tariffs imposed by the US would come on top of 25 percent tariffs that ar e still being collected on French,  German  and  Spanish  wines. Those tariffs are in con nection with a different, much older dispute, over European subsidies for Airbus.
US airports are experiencing unprecedented backlogs as coronavirus exposes inefficient processes and problems in the industry. Ground handlers are out sick, freighters are arriving back to back, and so much cargo needs to be offloaded, sorted and moved that most US airports can't keep up with the pace. Standard safety precautions in place due to the pandemic are stunting the ability of cargo operators to manage the flow of traffic, though passenger flights are minimal.