NCBFAA Membership Approves Establishment of Standing NVOCC Committee

San Antonio, TX: At its Annual Conference here, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) membership voted to establish a standing committee to address the special concerns and issues faced by Non-Vessel Owning Common Carriers (NVOCC). The NCBFAA will have the group assembled and working within the month.
        The NCBFAA will draw extensively on the wealth of knowledge represented by its NVOCC member firms in developing this new committee’s agenda. However, in the interest of inclusiveness, the NCBFAA will welcome input from the entire NVOCC community.
        Initial areas of concern that the group will address are:

• U.S. Customs 24-hour rule, which has had a significant impact on NVOCCs’ business arrangements.
• Instances of rate discrimination by carriers and their associations.
• The developing situation involving the adverse effects of the Peoples Republic of China’s maritime regulations.
• The question of antitrust immunity for carriers.
• Elimination of tariff filing requirements.

        "This is an important step in the NCBFAA’s efforts to establish itself as the leading voice of the whole transportation logistics community," said Billy App, NCBFAA Freight Forwarding Committee Chairman. "Many of the challenges facing these NVOCCs are distinct from those of forwarders and with this group in place these issues will be fully and fairly addressed using the full resources of the NCBFAA governing body."
        With headquarters in Washington, DC, the NCBFAA (members.ncbfaa.org) represents nearly 700 member companies - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs) and air cargo agents. Established in 1897 in New York, NCBFAA is the strong, effective national voice of the industry. Through its various committees, counsel and representatives, the Association maintains a close watch over legislative and regulatory issues that affect its members. It keeps them informed of these and other related issues through its weekly Monday Morning eBriefing, Quarterly NCBFAA Bulletin, and various meetings and conferences throughout the year.