Free Editions

Week 12-2023

Customs & Global Trade Intelligence

We know YOU know what customs compliance is, and you understand how it affects your business. But what if your senior leadership does not seem to care?  We have launched a quick 6 minutes video, providing the top 3 reasons why import & export businesses need to care about Customs compliance! You can even share this with your colleagues and bosses – so they finally get it and support it. We also have a blog entry for you on the subject.

What about the updates this week?

In Customs, the EU and the UK are developing or implementing Advanced Valuation Rulings (AVR) or Binding Valuation Decisions (BVD – as known in the EU). Contrary to popular belief, the Customs Value does not have to be the invoice price. Customs Value determination can be one of the more complicated elements of customs compliance, and it can be pretty trickprettyget to correct value ue for customs purposes. So, the Advance Valuation Rulings provide legal certainty on the valuation method of goods you import into a country for three years.  As always, we can help you determine that your valuation method is correct, and we will apply for AVR/BVDs for you.

Have you got questions on Customs Valuation? Want to find out more about AVRs and BVDs? Then, why not book our Customs Value Training slot in April?

Or visit: https://www.customsmanager.org/events

Three critical changes made the news in the UK last week: The Windsor Framework passed the Houses of Parliament Vote (and the EU Council) – we watched the debate in the Commons and summarised it (so you don’t have to 😊).

The significant changes in the UK alcohol reform are next. We dedicate a 10+ page summary paper and give you ten tips on how to prepare for these.

Thirdly, many are asking: Will the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) lose its independence? The Spring Budget Reform seems to indicate nothing less…we look at

We also cover the EU and US changes in customs, global trade, export controls and sanctions. A packed edition, as you can see.

Please leave us some feedback on how we are doing at info@customsmanager.org. You could win Amazon vouchers every month 😊

Week 11/2023

Customs & Global Trade Update

This week, we have three major highlights for you:

1. Harley Davidson vs The EU Commission belongs to the mandatory reading list of every customs and global trade professional -> download our summary and explainer.

2. The UK announced sweeping customs simplifications in this week’s Spring Budget. We summarised your critical initiatives – freedom to simplify due to Brexit!?!

3.  A briefing for Download: We share our top 5 tips to consider fighting US Section 301 Tariffs legally

As regards update, in the EU, we must increasingly look beyond customs and into green and sustainability issues. For example, this week, the EU Critical Raw Material Act was presented (we have a detailed briefing in this edition of the Update), affecting EU trade agreements and resulting in import /export shifts. In parallel, the EU's Net Zero Industry Act was presented, which aims to scale up the EU manufacture of critical carbon neutral or “net-zero” technologies to ensure secure, sustainable and competitive supply chains for clean energy because of reaching the EU's climate and energy ambitions. Again, this will change our import and export needs, impacting customs professionals. So, please read all about it here.

As regards the UK, besides the Spring Budget, the key focus is on the new - Advance Valuation Rulings - written decisions made by customs authorities at the request of a trader that is legally binding on both parties. They are trade facilitation and are not mandatory. They will provide particular traders’ requests to arrive at the customs value for their goods.  The customs value impacts the amount of duty that may be due.

A lot is going on in the US as well, from a new Forced Labor CBP Dashboard that offers transparency to penalties on “Made In USA” disqualifications, the US-EU strategic mineral trade talks, a recent study by ITC on Section 232 tariffs and Section 301 tariffs, an ITC changes USMCA Trade Remedies Rules and the “Made in China 2025” Industrial Policies: Issues for the US Congress Report.

Week 10/2023

Customs & Global Trade Update

What we covered in this edition:  We are still considering the Windsor Framework for Northern Ireland in this edition and looking at new explainer guides for different sectors. For example, download guides for food retailers, moving goods from NI to GB, moving goods from GB to NI, trading human medicines, parcels, pets, plants and more.

The UK is introducing its own ETA from 2024 and has updated several customs guidance documents, so worthwhile checking this out!

Germany and Ireland are reporting IT and manual changes, and the EU is amended its risk regions to keep bird flu and ASF in check.

The US CBP has issued a New Trade News Snapshot Edition 05-2023 and FAQ on Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Region Alert enhancement in ACE, among other updates.

Week 09/2023

Customs & Global Trade Update

Last Friday, 3 March, many nations called on each other to halt and reverse the loss of nature and protect at least 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. World Wildlife Day (WWD) reminds countries to collaborate, elevate ambition, and move quickly to conserve and restore the environment on land and water. 2023 is also the celebration of the 50-year-old CITES treaty. We offer training in CITES, the critical instrument to halt the illegal trade of endangered species. We offer a 50% reduction for any bookings made until 12 March 2023 (now extended). All proceeds are donated to species conservation. Book here

A day later saw an essential breakthrough that many in customs and global trade could miss, but which may end us leading to new HS codes and import restrictions: the deal to rescue and protect our oceans – the UNCLOS High Treaty – a significant achievement. We look at this in this update.

Next week, there is a FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW: Got a question about the Windsor Framework – the new deal for Northern Ireland? Join us tomorrow at 10 am (GMT) or 11 am (CET) for a free webinar on the flow of goods. It is not too late to register here. We dedicate much space to the Agreement in this update and show the EU and UK responses, plus many documents to download.

On Wednesday, in honour of International Women's Day on 8 March 2023, we invite you to join us to watch our live Premiere of two interviews with female leaders in customs trade documentation and customs consultancy:

1) 10 am GMT / 11 am CET: Listen to Mrs Nickie Dalton, the Head of Trade Documentation and Services at the London Chamber of Commerce, on the role of women in leadership when it comes to overseeing the issuance of ATA Carnets, Consular Documentation and Customs declaration entries, and the Trade Services department. Click here to be notified of when it launches.

2) 2 pm GMT / 3 pm CET: Listen to Mrs Rachel Stockton, CEO of CIE Services Ltd, on how women can successfully work in large and complex enterprises and what it's like to run your own customs consultancy as a woman. Tune in by clicking on this link.

As regards the rest, you will be fully updated with the most recent customs processes and procedures (including AEO), trade agreements, biosecurity and veterinary border controls, indirect taxes (customs duty, excise, import VAT/GST), export controls, fines, KYC and due diligence, and other topics of interest. The United States of America, the United Kingdom (with a particular focus on Northern Ireland), and the European Union are the three regions whose news we cover, together with a selection of their respective member states. In addition, get familiar with the latest events throughout the globe and the organisations such as the WCO and the WTO.

Week 08/2023

Customs & Global Trade Update

This update was delayed a day for a good cause. We wanted to incorporate information on the UK-EU Northern Ireland talks breakthrough. We examine the "new Windsor framework" Northern Ireland Protocol arrangement between Britain and the EU. Prime Minister Sunak called the new pact a "decisive breakthrough" during a Windsor news conference. Sunak said the arrangement reached would provide a "smooth flow of commerce" inside the UK and a "green lane" for UK exports to Northern Ireland and a "red lane" for exports to the Republic of Ireland and the EU. The prime minister said today's accord would preserve Northern Ireland's role in the UK. Let’s examine.

Last week, no surprise, much of our attention was focused on the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine. We focus on the sanctions that the EU, UK and the US have imposed, and there are many – We dedicate the first 20 pages of the report to compare and contrast these measures across the three jurisdictions – as they have far-reaching consequences for all of us.

Did you see our new sanctions training offer? You can book our new customs & global trade training here: https://www.customsmanager.org/events

A key feature of the update – we are proud of is the SPECIAL REPORT on Mandatory EU supply chain due diligence obligations – What Customs & Global Trade Professionals Need To Know. You may find this an interesting report to read (as a FULL subscriber).

Finally, the third edition of the Customs Show is out: In this must-watch edition of The Customs Show, Arne Mielken spoke with Walter van der Mieren, UPS' Director of Customs Compliance, about the critical eCustoms systems going live in 2023, which everyone involved in customs must be aware of!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUyrkRmUMEc

You can also keep up with what we're doing on Twitter, Linkedin and YouTube.

Week 07/2023

Customs and Global Trade Update

 In EU updates, let's discover the new EU-NZ FTA deal. The EU is also targeting third-country companies that help Russia circumvent EU sanctions in the EU's 10th Sanctions Package. DG TAXUD on Twitter confirmed that ICS 2, Phase 2, is going ahead. Also, the EU is continuing their internal reform efforts. Therefore, ensure you fully understand the EU Green industrial plan. The latest VAT GAP report of the EU – the VAT gap is as big as the entire GDP of Slovakia. So, be sure that the EU will push ahead with reforms.

​

Over in the UK, all eyes are back on Northern Ireland. Will a deal finally be reached? You can download a 10-page explainer on Northern Ireland, which makes you look very knowledgeable to your boss and colleagues when the deal is finally announced. You're welcome! Besides that, the UK was quiet – no noticeable customs or CDS changes. Can you believe that?

This week, there is much activity in US customs, not in OFAC or BIS. Nevertheless, we provide you with CBP's weekly Customs Bulletin and inform you about the expanded partnership to secure e-commerce supply chains. In addition, there are some important events with NCSD February-March 2023 Webinars, the Green and the Forced Labor Technical Expo.

Week 6/2023

Customs and Global Trade Update

This week, the European Union will make significant changes to its laws. We outline the new excise legislation and provide links to a synopsis, the law itself, and other relevant resources; the legislation is currently in effect and is digitising EMCS operations by introducing new trader concepts and mandating notifications even when excise items are delivered duty paid.

On Thursday, the European Union (EU) will impose new regulations on the import of food. Importing into the EU may need certifications and in-house testing if you are concerned about SPS products.

Phase 2 of ICS 2 will start on 1 March. So we ask: May ICS 2 may be postponed? Let’s analyse what’s going on and where we are.

All three modifications apply to Northern Ireland without exception. Speaking of Northern Ireland, we look at the latest ongoing talks between the European Union and the United Kingdom. There are also around 15 ADD and CVD prevention fact sheets published in the UK that we needed to look at. All 16 papers are available to FULL subscribers of this update. Did you know that the United Kingdom and the Italian government just signed a landmark deal to work together on economic matters? Let’s check it out

We also analyse the worries of American lawmakers regarding potential Mexican and Canadian USMCA violations. However, the latest OFAC designations speak even louder volumes. We cover these and other related subjects.