posted on March 5, 2013 08:02:20 PM new
I received this today. Thought I would share:
SEQUESTRATION NOTICE
Dear Customer,
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently issued several communications on Sequestration including two FAQs and a letter from the Deputy Commissioner David C. Aguilar discussing the impact to the Trade and how CBP will maintain its core priorities. Please find the most important details summarized below:
LETTER FROM CBP DEPUTY COMMISSIONER DAVID AGUILAR
In a letter issued to the Trade and Travel Industry, the Deputy Commissioner stated that for CBP Field Operations, the sequestration cuts, which include furloughs, reductions in overtime and a hiring freeze, would equate to the loss of up to several thousand CBP officers at U.S. ports of entry, in addition to significant cuts to CBP’s operating budget and programs.
CBP anticipates significant potential impact to cross border travel and trade such as:
Increase in waiting times for international airports of up to 50 percent or more with peak waits up to 3-4 hours or more at some gateway airports.
Decreased service levels in our cargo operations, including increased and potentially escalating delays for container examinations of up to 5 days or more at major seaports, and significant daily back-ups at land border ports of entry.
Reduced flexibility to maintain or extend operating hours or respond to requests for new services.
These cuts take place in a time when international travel has increased over 12 percent in the past 3 years, and should increase 5 percent this year. Given the importance of commercial activity to the U.S. economy the CBP is very concerned about the ramifications of sequestration. The CBP will continue to keep communicating to the Trade and Travel Industry with its website and direct communications.
Official Letter: Trade and Travel Letter to CBP Industry Colleagues
CARGO PRIORITIES
In the face of sequestration, CBP has identified the following information to be critical for business resumption:
Companies that participate in CBP partnership initiatives, such as Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), will continue to have access to their respective CBP point of contacts, including Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) personnel. Members will continue to receive “front of the line” treatment for examinations.
CBP stated its core antiterrorism mission will not be compromised, including radiation portal monitors.
There will be some delays in cargo processing as a result of CBP furlough and cuts to overtime expenses.
There will be no special procedures for conveyance diversions, such as the business resumption plan during Hurricane Sandy.
CBP identified that the sequestration plan of the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may not have a significant impact on trade transactions at the port level.
CBP estimates that there may potentially be delays up to several hours at land border crossings, passenger processing times may increase by about 50 percent, and there may be up to an additional five days added to cargo inspections at ocean ports of entry.
CBP will continue to process perishable commodities as a top priority.
The sequestration cuts will be made equally across the agency, with no preference by port of arrival, said CBP. The first cuts will reduce overtime beginning March 1 and personnel furloughs may begin in mid-April.
Website: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cargo Priorities under Sequestration.
FAQ IMPACT TO TRAVEL AND TRADE
The CBP has posted two Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents on the impact of Sequestration to the Trade. Here is a sampling of some of the key questions and answers:
What is sequestration?
Sequestration is a fiscal policy procedure adopted by Congress as part of the Budget Control Act (BCA) of 2011. The procedure, designed to force Congress to come to an agreement to address the Federal budget deficit, represents a series of automatic government spending cuts, totaling about $1 trillion over the next decade. These spending cuts, which began March 1, 2013, are divided equally between defense and non-defense spending. Government departments and agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), do not have input on how these cuts go into effect since they are required by law to be implemented across the board. Sequestration will end when Congress passes legislation that undoes the legal requirements in the BCA.
How soon will I notice a change as a result of sequestration budget cuts?
You may notice some changes immediately, while many of the anticipated effects of sequestration are likely to increase over time. Over the past three years, CBP Field Operations has maximized its existing resources to accommodate a 12 percent increase in the volume of international air arrivals. This has been achieved through a strong focus on efficiencies, innovation, and expanded use of trusted traveler programs. As such, the resource reductions that CBP Field Operations will face under sequestration will result in significant, noticeable changes. There may also be significant economic impacts because CBP will not be able to accommodate requests for extended hours or new services. These effects will be compounded if the budget cuts are not reversed and employees need to be furloughed.
Do I need to be concerned about CBP employee furloughs?
Many U.S. government departments and agencies are planning for employee furloughs due to the automatic budget cuts. If sequestration continues through April, CBP would begin to furlough all employees. These unpaid furloughs will have a significant, negative impact on our own employees. In addition, the effects will also be noticed at our ports of entry in terms of longer wait times, delayed processing for travel and trade, and less flexibility to accommodate special circumstances.
Will any ports of entry be closed, or will hours be curtailed?
CBP may reduce hours of service at select airports, seaports and land ports of entry; these reductions will be made in a way that minimizes the impact to operations. Any changes to service hours will be port-specific and will be determined at the local level. Information will be shared publicly through various media outlets.
What effect will the sequestration have on shipments designated for examination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)?
CBP’s, Office of Field Operations, will continue to perform the required cargo inspections of regulated perishables with associated conditions of entry based on plant pest risks identified by USDA. CBP is working with other partner agencies (PGA) to assess the impact of those PGA’s sequestration plans CBP strongly encourages continued dialogue between trade stakeholders and the local partner agency points of contact for specific information on the impacts of the sequestration.
FURTHER DETAILS
CBP Website Frequently Asked Questions: Impact to Travel and Trade during Sequestration
CBP Website: Questions and Responses Regarding the Impact of Sequestration on Imports
HOW DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING CAN HELP MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF SEQUESTRATION
DHL Global Forwarding can help your company weather the impact of the sequestration. Preferred Partner Programs CBP has stated that companies that participate in CBP partnerships and modernization initiatives such as Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C/TPAT) will continue to receive priority (“front of the line”) treatment for examinations, and faster processing as a general rule.
DHL Global Forwarding can help your company apply for C/TPAT. Speak to your DGF representative about signing up for the program today.
Pre-filing FDA Entry Information DHL Global Forwarding can file the FDA Prior Notice via Automated Broker Interface/Automated Commercial System (ABI/ACS) up to 30-calendar days before the anticipated date of arrival. Let’s get the jump on the FDA approval process with early Prior Notice submissions to the FDA.
Continuous updates on Sequestration. Watch for the Spotlight newsletter to update you on the latest events that may impact your business.
posted on March 6, 2013 05:38:09 AM new
I have been warned by Ebay my global seller performance may cause limits on how many items I can list,this is because overseas buyers were pissed how long it takes for their items to arrive,this sewuestration may affect our selling performance,forward this letter to Ebay
posted on March 6, 2013 04:58:02 PM new
Goodness...your Congress sure wants to hit the Country where it hurts just when the recovery was holding promise.
From the outside looking in it seems as though it is yet another example of what I like to call 'ABO' or 'Anyone but Obama'...how sad!
The possible delays at the Border Crossings had made our news here as it plays a big part for the residents of Vancouver,BC who like to 'cross-border' shop in Bellingham & Seattle. Truthfully though, businesses in Vancouver will be pleased as they lose a lot of business to the United States.
Here in Victoria we are not so impacted on a daily basis as we first have to get a Ferry to get off our Island before we can head South to shop so we don't do it too often.
I think most Canadians are aware of what is happening as we have a vested interest but I agree I would probably stop shipping to other Countries until this whole mess settles down.
posted on March 6, 2013 05:13:40 PM new
The whole thing is a mess. I could care less if you're a Republican or Democrat. The two party system is a disaster and the reality is that a 3rd party doesn't make it any better. You have the "Tea Party" that holds everything up as well because of the stupid rules of the Senate with filibustering. The same thing could easily happen with a 4th political party.
As I have said repeatedly, I don't care who is in power, I just want majority rule. There needs to be protections in place for any representative to make their case on the floor, but a majority vote needs to move legislation forward, not some stupid 60 vote majority to bring closure to debate. Seriously, 60 votes to bring closure vs. 51% to pass the law. Absolutely ridiculous... but hat is how they get to play these stupid political games with Americans lives. Americans have no one to blame but ourselves.
If we want an end to this, we can make it happen. But until Americans get off their lazy butts and speak up, there is little that will change. I just love people who think others are lazy when all they do is slap a bumper sticker on their car and think they know everything and are being politically active.
posted on March 6, 2013 06:36:56 PM new
May be if we dont spend so much and borrow so much,we dont have such thing as sequestration.
Americans are born in a house with a 30 years mortgage,when he is 16-18,his parents bought him a car on installment plan,when he is ready for college,student loan comes to the rescue,when he attends college,banks sent him credit cards so he can learn how to manage credit.
When he marries,he will raise his family in a house with a 30 years mortgage ,makes 2 car payments one for himself and one for his wife along with student loan and credit card loans for two.
Both public and private sectors borrow and spend ,spend and borrow,La Dolce Vita American style.
posted on March 7, 2013 05:29:20 AM new
Sequestration wants to cut 85 billion cuts which is pocket change considering we pay in some where between 2-3 trillion dollars in taxes. Members of Congress talk about cutting services such a Medicare,SS payments, terminating. laying people off, 4 day work week. While Sec of State Kerry hands Egypt a check for 54 billion. Here's an idea cut 85 billion from foreign aid.
As far as shipping overseas it looks like some countries haven't improved there staffing or methods to handle the influx of packages because of the web people now shop and ship world wide.
posted on March 7, 2013 06:17:13 AM new
We also spent 60 billions reconstructing Iraq,most are wasteful and /or enrich the local govt and the local contractors.
