GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN

FDA Unveils New Strategy for Imported Food

28 February 2019

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced on 25 February changes to his agency’s strategy for ensuring the safety of food imported into the United States. Gottlieb’s statement referenced the growing importance of imported food in the U.S. marketplace, noting that the United States now imports 15 percent of its food from more than 200 countries or territories. More

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CBP to Expand Tests of Blockchain Uses

10 January 2019

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently completed one test of potential use of blockchain technology and is looking to conduct additional tests this year. For several months in 2018 CBP tested the use of blockchain for the certifications of origin used to qualify goods for preferential treatment under NAFTA and CAFTA-DR, and a report on the agency’s conclusions is expected in the near future. More

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Import Measures Imposed on Mainland Chinese Aluminium Extrusions and Plywood Alleged to Evade AD/CV Duties

07 December 2018

In separate cases, CBP has determined that there is a reasonable suspicion that importers are evading the AD and CV duty orders on aluminium extrusions from mainland China (by not declaring certain door thresholds containing aluminium extrusions as subject to these orders) as well as hardwood plywood from mainland China (by transshipment through Vietnam). More

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Congressional Research Service Examines Aspects of “National Security Exception” under GATT Article XXI

07 December 2018

The non-partisan Congressional Research Service issued a report on 28 November that examines various aspects of the “national security exception” under GATT Article XXI. This analysis is especially relevant in light of the on-going legal challenge by a number of economies at the WTO against the use by the United States of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose additional tariffs on steel and aluminium imports on the basis of national security considerations. More

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BIS Considers Tracking Exports of Electronic Waste

23 October 2018

BIS is accepting comments through 24 December on the feasibility and cost of implementing a mechanism for tracking and controlling exports of electronic waste. Although no specific legislation has yet been passed mandating export controls related to e-waste, BIS is seeking public comments on various issues to help it assess the prevalence of counterfeit goods in military and civilian electronic supply chains and whether the proposed changes would adequately address this problem. More

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Updated Security Criteria for CTPAT to be Phased in Starting in 2019

21 September 2018

CBP is currently circulating within the trade community draft modifications to the minimum security criteria associated with the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. CBP is gathering input on the proposed changes through the end of October and plans to implement the final updated MSC under a phased approach throughout fiscal year 2019. More

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Unfair Trade Practices: European Parliament Holds Debate on Future Law, with Suppliers and Retailers of Foodstuffs to Be Affected

17 September 2018

Freedom of contract has long underpinned business to business (B2B) relationships, as distinguished from business to consumer (B2C) relationships which are heavily regulated in the EU. In B2B scenarios parties are usually free to tailor contracts according to their needs. However, this longstanding legal principle is being increasingly questioned in the food supply chain, where unfair trade practices are widespread. More

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Yangtze River Delta Growth Spurs Supply Chain Expansion

26 April 2018

YRD enterprises are making use of the industrial resources and advantages of other regions to improve their supply chain management systems. Hong Kong, as an international financial centre and the regional trading hub, is the preferred platform for mainland enterprises “going out” to expand their international business. More

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Maritime Commission Seeks Input on Updated Strategic Plan

24 November 2017

The Federal Maritime Commission is inviting comments through 6 December on its initial draft strategic plan for fiscal years 2018-2022, which provides the framework to address current and anticipated challenges in the ocean transportation industry over the next five years. More

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C-TPAT Minimum Security Criteria to be Strengthened, Expanded

13 October 2017

CBP is moving ahead with plans to strengthen the existing minimum security criteria for the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and add new criteria to reflect evolving threats. More