The Federal Maritime Commission this week updated its record of cases and decisions related to shipping violations “that may be significant or establish legal precedent.” The 132-page document covers cases that took place from June through December 2023, including various settlement approvals, orders not to review, a charge complaint and more.
The Federal Maritime Commission recently sent the shipping and freight forwarding industry guidance about the FMC’s February final rule that set new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2402230049). The six-page document, provided to us by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, includes 19 frequently asked questions and answers related to the rule, covering questions including timelines for disputing detention and demurrage invoices issued by ocean carriers and terminal operators, extended dwell fees assessed by U.S. ports and the definition of “billed party.”
The State Department approved a possible $215.5 million military sale to Taiwan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said June 7. The sale includes “AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles” along with logistics and program support, and the principal contractor will be RTX Corp.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network received about 4.6 million suspicious activity reports during FY 2023, an increase from the 4.3 million it received the previous year, according to an annual report released last week. Of the 4.6 million reports filed, just 1,500 involved terrorist financing concerns, the agency said, and about 1.6 million involved suspected money laundering.
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network is seeking public comments on the renewal of information collection requirements that set due diligence rules for banks and others in the financial industry. The collections cover requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act, including reporting requirements for anti-money laundering programs. Comments are due Aug. 12.
The Federal Maritime Commission launched an updated website this week that it said is easier to navigate and will better allow members of the public to “identify and request assistance from the agency.” The site now includes a dedicated gateway to share information with the FMC, submit a complaint and more.
USDA has begun reviewing and processing export facility registration applications as part of China’s Decree 248, a recently enacted Chinese law that requires certain foreign production facilities to register with the country’s customs agency, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month.
The Federal Maritime Commission is considering whether to push back the effective date of a final rule it issued in February that set new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2402230049), it said in a notice released June 7. The commission said the Ocean Carrier Equipment Management Association asked it to extend the rule’s May 28 effective date “by at least 90 days or such longer period as may be deemed appropriate.” The FMC is accepting public comments by July 1 about whether it should delay the rule.
The State Department has approved two possible military sales to Taiwan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said June 5. One sale includes $220 million worth of “F-16 Standard Spare and Repair Parts” and related equipment, and the other includes $80 million worth of the same parts and equipment. The equipment for both sales will be transferred from Air Force stock.
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is revising the fee schedule for official inspections and weighing of certain grain exports, the agency said in an interim final rule released June 5. The rule sets new rates for the remainder of FY 2024 “and until such time as new fees are set by a final rule,” AMS said, adding that it plans to soon publish a proposed rule “establishing a new regulatory fee formula.” The immediate changes to the current fees outlined in this interim final rule will help give the Federal Grain Inspection Service enough funding to continue its inspection services and “avoid significant negative impacts to the $54 billion grain export industry.” The rule takes effect July 8, the same day public comments are due.