NCBFAA Supports Census Rule With Modifications

Washington, DC: In a letter to the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) today supported expanding AES to include items identified on the Department of Commerce's Commerce Control List and the Department of State's United States Munitions List. The NCBFAA believes that the proposed rule will facilitate the efficient collection of trade data via electronic transmission to the Census Bureau and urges that it be adopted as a final rule, subject to certain modifications.
        To avoid disrupting intermodal cargo moving under a through master bill of lading issued by a steamship line or airline, the NCBFAA suggested revising the rule so that the AES exemption legends need only be presented to the exporting carrier before loading for the actual export move, rather than when the goods are first tendered to the exporting carrier. To accomplish this, the NCBFAA suggested that the words "for loading" be added immediately prior to the phrase "to the exporting carrier" in the last line of proposed §30.12(d), which concerns exports filed via AES.
        Commenting on AES filing Options, the NCBFAA agreed that the proposed elimination of Option 3 would have minimal impact but should be accompanied by increased emphasis on the importance of retaining Option 4. That Option allows the approved exporter to send his shipment without pre-departure notification to AES. Full post-departure information must be reported within 10 working days from the date of exportation.
        With headquarters in Washington, D.C., 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.