Freightgator Logistics Customs brokerage across the USA

Shipping rates on Asian imports will increase once again on August 1st, as lines look to defray their rising fuel costs with higher bunker surcharges. Rates are expected to increase by approx. 12%. More information on this story is available from http://www.shippingdigest.com/news/article.asp?sid=5218.

In another example of how CBP has moved from "informed complianced" in the 90's & early 2000's, to "enforced compliance", the new, no-nonsense Customs service is now ganging up on small importers. According to an email advisory circulating from trade law firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg (see http://www.strtrade.com/advisories.aspx), it appears that several CBP officers will arrived unannounced to the premises of smaller importers for an aggressive enforcement action.

One of the common questions a broker gets from importers whose shipment has been targeted for intensive examination is, "why was my shipment picked?" Did the broker do something wrong? The shipper? The carrier? Are they looking for something, do they suspect something, did the drug dogs go crazy?

The answer, unfortunately, is a mystery. A CBP officer on the West Coast (port and officer names withheld, no retribution wanted!) has stated in direct response to a specific inquiry:

"The United States Government reserves the right to examine any shipment

The bottom line in international shipping is RISK. Are you (adequately) insured? There are many perils, and many options for coverage. Whether you buy insurance from your broker, forwarder, shipper, or insurance agent, just buy it.

For more information, read the recent column in Logistics Management magazine titled "Are you insured? Are you sure?" (see http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/CA6549319.html); also visit attorney Countryman & McDaniels transport loss gallery at http://www.cargolaw.com/gallery.html to see what the mighty seas can do to your cargo.

UPDATE 05/28/08: No further information that can be considered of any use in interpreting or preparing for the implementation of the 10+2 rule has yet been published. While many sources continue to publish items, they are simply re-hashing what is already known, and/or speculations on what will be. As it was in the original message, this matter remains at a standstill pending further genuine information from CBP.