Now Imports from Cuba Permitted, However... Importers should be mindful that shipments from Cuba may come at a high cost. Cuba is one of only two countries (the other being North Korea) still subject to column 2 duty rates in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. As a result, while the some products (those produced by independent Cuban businesses) may now be imported … [Read more...]
Russian Sanctions: Licensing Policy for the Crimea Region of Ukraine
Russian Sanctions: Licensing Policy for the Crimea Region of Ukraine From BIS: The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issues this final rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to impose additional sanctions that implement U.S. policy toward Russia. Specifically, in this rule BIS amends the EAR by imposing a license requirement for the export and … [Read more...]
West Coast Ports: Most Now Have Normal Operations
West Coast Ports: Most Now Have Normal Operations Most West Coast ports were busy with activity this week as full crews were ordered by the marine terminals. The ILWU dispatch halls are filling all of the orders. Craig Merrilees a union spokesman said: “ILWU members up and down the coast are working to load and unload vessels as quickly and safely as possible.” The PMA … [Read more...]
Congestion Recovery: 2 to 3 Months
Congestion Recovery: 2 to 3 Months Since the recent contract agreement with the ILWU and PMA, the long process begins for the West Coast ports to recover from the backlog of containers and vessels that have inundated their operations the past several months. From JOC: Industry experts agree that it will take months for Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma … [Read more...]
Tentative Deal Reached for U.S. West Coast Ports
Tentative Deal Reached for U.S. West Coast Ports The ILWU and PMA reached an agreement late on Friday February 20th. After more than nine months of bargaining, there is a contract agreement for five years - though the details of the agreement were not yet available. The contract must be ratified and the process could take several weeks. ILWU President Robert McEllrath … [Read more...]