An unusual rainy start didn’t stop the lively discussions and informative sessions on trade issues, compliance challenges, and customs solutions at FDRA’s Footwear Trade and Distribution Conference (FTDC) last week in Huntington Beach. Nearly 200 of the industry’s top footwear executives, traffic and distribution specialists, customs experts, and service providers joined the longest running U.S. footwear conference on October 16-19. Companies on stage and in the audience included Caleres, Deer Stags, Amer Sports, KEEN, NIKE, Kohl’s, and others.

Continued from Chapter 5: Duty Management

The growth of globalization – along with the proliferation of country-specific trade rules – adds to the complexities that global trade organizations already face on a daily basis. Companies that rely on spreadsheets or increasing personnel only make their trade compliance management less efficient.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been quietly sending out Informed Compliance Letters with attached CDs of publications and trade regulations over the past several months. If you received one, does this mean your firm is getting audited? And if you didn’t receive one, are you momentarily off the hook?

On September 22, 2016, Commissioner Ann Marie Buerkle with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (pictured to the right with me (left) and Hung Lee (right)) visited Amber Road’s McLean, Virginia office to conduct a live web broadcast to over 200 global trade professionals.  During the webinar, “Are PGAs Prepared to “ACE” the Single Window Initiative?”, Amber Road’s Product Director Hung Lee discussed the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Single Window program, how Partner Government Agencies (PGA) are preparing for the technology shift, and the steps importers need to take to also get ready for the changes this program brings to their technology systems, business processes and supplier relationships. 

The deadline for the US ACE Single Window e-filing initiative is creeping closer - so the question is no longer “if,” but “when” companies will be held accountable for their compliance.  You will soon be required to work within the new environment and interact with a larger group of partner government agencies (PGAs) than ever before.

Brokers have, and always will, play a key role in most import organizations, but new research from American Shipper shows importers taking more interest in self-filing amid an ever-changing import environment.
 
American Shipper’s new Import Benchmark Study, produced in partnership with BPE Global, looks at how mandatory implementation this year of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), possible new sweeping free trade agreements, the new drawback law, and complex global regulatory regimes are influencing the decision to take import compliance functions in-house.
 

On July 12^th, Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy broadcasted a webinar on Labeling Apparel – Getting it Right! Our presenter, Robin Grover from Amber Road, received several questions throughout the webinar and unfortunately did not have time to address them all during the live broadcast. We have compiled his answers into a Q&A document - here is a preview:

Are there specific guidelines for faux fur labeling?

The FTC does not require faux (also called “artificial” or “fake” fur) to be labeled since it has no actual fur content[1].   Several states, however, have adopted their own regulations which mandate that if an item appears to be fur but does not so qualify the product’s label must both state that it is “faux fur” and specify the actual fiber content. As a consequence, many major U.S. retailers of artificial furs and the suppliers of such products to them will require the inclusion of a faux fur label in all such products instead of maintaining two sets of faux fur inventory.  It proves costly to maintain one set of such product inventory to be sold in states with faux fur labeling requirements and another set of inventory destined for states that do not have faux fur labeling mandates.  Those state regulations requiring the labeling of so-called “faux fur” or “artificial fur” products have been enacted by: Delaware; Massachusetts; New Jersey; New York; Wisconsin.

For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a legislative mandate to require comprehensive, preventive-based controls across the supply chain. The Food Modernization Act (FSMA) requires enhanced oversight of suppliers, with greater auditing responsibilities for the USA-based importer.

Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy webinar entitled Food Safety Modernization Act – Are You Prepared?, broadcasted live on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 2PM EDT. During this webinar, Suzanne Richer, Director of Amber Road’s Trade Advisory Practice, provide an in-depth overview of FSMA, requirements for record-keeping, and how to leverage technology to optimize supply chain traceability. Subscribe to Amber Road’s Global Trade Academy’s eLearning platform to access a course covering this topic!

The labeling rules for apparel products are detailed and numerous.  Specialty materials such as fiber, bamboo, and fur all require an especially strong understanding of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) requirements.

Last week, the US Congress passed the biggest chemical safety legislation since the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was enacted 40 years ago to regulate the manufacture, import, and processing of chemicals. Now it awaits President Obama’s approval, considered a sure thing after the White House’s endorsement of the measure in May.  But will the passage of this bill really mean the US finally has a unified and comprehensive chemical safety program that works?