The past several years have tested every supply chain assumption.

For brokers and forwarders, disruption was not theoretical. It was operational pressure layered on top of regulatory accountability.

The conversation now is not whether disruption exists. It is how brokerage and forwarding professionals build supply chain resilience into their service model.

Here are the lessons that apply directly to our profession.

Diversification as an Advisory Function

When trade lanes stalled and sourcing shifted, brokers and forwarders were often the first call.

Members who understood alternate ports, inland routings, FTZ options, and bonded strategies moved beyond transaction processing into advisory roles.

Supply chain resilience is no longer just the shipper’s responsibility. Brokers who can articulate routing alternatives and regulatory implications add measurable value.

Chicago’s intermodal strength makes that advisory capacity tangible.

Communication as Risk Management

During peak disruption, certainty was rare.

The brokers who retained trust were those who communicated early, clearly, and frequently — even when answers were incomplete.

From a professional standpoint, documentation of those communications also matters. When timelines shift and expectations change, written confirmation protects both broker and client.

In volatile conditions, communication is not customer service. It is risk management.

Compliance Under Pressure

Disruption did not slow enforcement. If anything, forced labor scrutiny, FDA reviews, and ACE oversight intensified.

Operational strain increases the risk of shortcuts. That is precisely when internal controls matter most.

Members who maintained disciplined filing practices during disruption demonstrated what supply chain resilience looks like in brokerage practice.

Clean entries during chaotic conditions are not accidental.

Inventory Strategy and Entry Planning

As shippers reevaluated safety stock and nearshoring strategies, brokers were pulled into higher-level planning discussions.

Bonded warehousing, FTZ utilization, and duty planning became strategic levers.

For Chicago professionals, inland positioning created opportunity:

• Rail staging
   

• Regional distribution hubs
   

• Entry timing strategies
   

Brokers who understand the regulatory implications of inventory positioning contribute directly to enterprise-level decisions.

Relationships as Operational Leverage

Visibility platforms improved, but relationships still resolved problems.

Established connections with terminals, carriers, CBP personnel, and warehouse operators often determined whether a problem stalled or moved.

The Chicago trade community’s collaborative culture remains a competitive advantage.

Professional networks are part of supply chain resilience.

The Role of CCBFA

For members of the Chicago Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association, resilience is both collective and individual.

Shared knowledge, regulatory updates, and peer discussion strengthen the region’s trade gateway.

Supply chains may remain complex.

But disciplined professionals, informed through association engagement, make them steadier.

Resilience is built before the next disruption arrives.

Incoterms Guide: Professional Nuance That Matters in Brokerage Practice

Everyone reading this knows what an Incoterm is.

The question isn’t what FCA or CIF mean in theory. The question is how those terms appear in entry documentation, valuation, and real-world compliance — especially when commercial contracts and operational execution don’t align perfectly.

For customs brokers and forwarders, Incoterms are not educational trivia. They are valuation triggers, audit exposure points, and sometimes the difference between a clean entry and a Customs inquiry.

This Incoterms Guide takes a closer look at where professional nuance matters.

Incoterms and Entered Value: Where the Details Count

One of the most overlooked areas in brokerage practice is the relationship between Incoterms and entered value.

Prepaid international freight charges may be deductible from the entered value — but only when properly supported and clearly segregated.

If the sales contract is written on a CIF, CPT, or CIP basis, the invoice often reflects bundled freight. The broker’s responsibility is to:

• Confirm whether freight is included in the invoice price

• Obtain supporting documentation to substantiate deductions

• Ensure the deduction aligns with valuation rules
   

This is not academic. Incorrect or missed deductions create exposure for both the broker and the importer.

Understanding the terms of sale isn’t about education. It’s about defensible entries.

FOB and Container Freight: The Persistent Habit

Most professionals understand that FOB was designed for non-containerized ocean cargo. Yet FOB continues to appear on container shipments.

The issue isn’t vocabulary. It’s risk transfer versus documentary consistency.

When the contract says FOB but operational control reflects something closer to FCA, questions arise:

• Who controlled the freight booking?

• Where did risk actually transfer?

• Does the commercial documentation match the physical movement?
   

Misalignment doesn’t automatically create non-compliance, but it can complicate valuation and audit trails.

Brokers who flag inconsistencies early position themselves as advisors, not data processors.

DDP: The Compliance Exposure Term

DDP remains one of the most commercially attractive and operationally risky Incoterms in U.S. transactions.

When a foreign seller agrees to deliver duty paid:

• Who is acting as importer of record?

• Is there a valid power of attorney?

• Is the seller properly structured for U.S. compliance obligations?
   

Too often, DDP is agreed to in sales negotiations without the corresponding infrastructure.

For CCBFA members, this is where professional leadership matters. Clarifying regulatory responsibility before goods move prevents downstream liability.

Prepaid Freight Deductions and Audit Preparedness

CBP scrutiny of valuation continues to increase. When freight is prepaid and deducted from the entered value, documentation discipline is critical.

Best practice includes:

• Clear separation of freight on commercial invoices

• Supporting freight invoices

• Internal documentation explaining valuation methodology
   

Incoterms do not determine valuation — but they signal where brokers should ask questions.

Why This Matters for CCBFA Members

The association represents professionals who already understand the mechanics of trade.

The added value is in reinforcing professional standards:

• Identifying valuation nuances

• Managing edge cases

• Leading client conversations before issues escalate
   

Incoterms fluency is not about definitions. It is about protecting entries, reducing audit exposure, and elevating the broker's role in the transaction.

Defined terms. Defensible filings.

That’s professional practice.

For customs brokers and freight forwarders, risk management strategies are part of everyday decision-making.

Every entry filed, classification reviewed, or client question answered carries some level of compliance exposure. The challenge is not eliminating risk. It’s identifying where it exists, understanding how it evolves, and managing it to protect both the client and the broker.

Experienced professionals know that risk rarely appears as a single issue. It often shows up in edge cases, gray areas, and timing gaps between regulation and execution.

Below are several ways brokers apply risk management strategies in practice.

Recognize Where Risk Actually Appears

Risk in customs brokerage is rarely obvious. It often develops in situations where information is incomplete or assumptions are made too quickly.

Common areas include:

• Classification gray zones, where multiple HTS interpretations may apply, and prior rulings are limited or unclear.

• Country-of-origin complexities, especially when goods are manufactured across multiple jurisdictions.

• Timing gaps in regulatory updates, where policy is announced before implementation details are fully defined.

Strong brokers don’t just process entries—they pause when something doesn’t fully align and investigate further.

Apply Layered Validation Before Filing

One of the most effective risk management strategies is building validation into the workflow before submission.

Rather than relying on a single data point, experienced brokers often:

• Cross-reference classification decisions, comparing internal databases, prior rulings, and CBP guidance.

• Confirm documentation consistency, ensuring commercial invoices, packing lists, and entry data align.

• Validate assumptions with clients, especially when product descriptions or sourcing details are unclear.

This extra step may slow the process slightly—but it prevents much larger issues later.

Manage the Conversation, Not Just the Compliance

Risk management is not only technical—it’s also communicative.

Clients often expect quick answers, especially when regulation updates or tariff changes make headlines. But in many cases, guidance is still developing.

Effective brokers handle this by:

• Clarifying what is confirmed vs. what is still evolving, helping clients understand where uncertainty lies.

• Avoiding overcommitment, especially when regulatory interpretation is not fully settled.

• Providing next steps instead of final answers, offering a path forward while details are still being confirmed.

This approach builds credibility and reduces the risk of misinterpretation.

Prepare for Enforcement, Not Just Filing

Filing an entry correctly is only part of the equation. Risk management also involves preparing for what happens after submission.

This includes:

• Anticipating potential audits or CF28/CF29 requests, ensure documentation is organized and defensible.

• Maintaining internal audit trails, documenting how decisions were made, and what sources were used.

• Reviewing patterns across entries to identify repeat exposures that could trigger enforcement attention.

Brokers who prepare for scrutiny tend to operate with greater consistency and confidence.

Use Peer Networks to Pressure-Test Decisions

Some of the most valuable insights come from other experienced professionals.

When facing unclear or evolving scenarios, brokers often:

• Compare interpretations with trusted peers to determine whether others are seeing the same issue.

• Discuss edge cases in professional forums to gain perspective on how similar situations are being handled.

• Validate approach before scaling decisions, especially when applying a classification or process across multiple shipments.

This is where industry associations play a meaningful role.

Where CCBFA Supports Risk Awareness

CCBFA provides multiple ways for members to stay connected and informed as risk conditions evolve.

Members can strengthen their risk management strategies by:

• Attending CCBFA events and educational sessions, where real-world scenarios and regulatory developments are discussed,

• Following CCBFA on social media, staying aware of emerging issues and industry conversations,

• Subscribing to CCBFA email updates, receiving timely information that can inform daily operations.

These touchpoints help brokers stay aligned with the broader industry and refine their decision-making approach.

Risk Management Is a Daily Discipline

There is no single checklist that eliminates risk in customs brokerage. The most effective professionals approach it as an ongoing discipline—one that combines technical knowledge, communication, and professional judgment.

The difference is not in avoiding risk entirely. It’s in recognizing it early and responding thoughtfully.

Stay Connected to Strengthen Your Approach

Risk is easier to manage when you are not working in isolation.

CCBFA members benefit from access to shared knowledge, professional dialogue, and ongoing education that support better decision-making across the brokerage community.

Stay engaged, stay informed, and continue building the judgment that defines experienced customs professionals.

For customs brokers and freight forwarders, regulation updates are constant—but not all changes arrive with clear guidance or long lead times.

Sometimes, the most disruptive updates are the ones that appear straightforward at first, and then raise operational questions once shipments are already in motion.

Recently, brokers faced exactly this kind of situation when new tariff actions and enforcement priorities were announced with limited implementation clarity. Initial headlines suggested immediate impact—but details around timing, applicability, and documentation created confusion across the trade community.

Clients started calling before answers were fully available.

So what did experienced professionals do?

A Real-World Scenario: When Policy Moves Faster Than Guidance

In this case, brokers were dealing with:

• New tariff measures were announced publicly, but without immediate, detailed filing instructions,

• Uncertainty around effective dates, especially for shipments already in transit,

• Questions on classification and applicability, depending on product details and origin,

• Increased client pressure, as importers sought immediate answers.

For many in the industry, the challenge wasn’t just the regulation—it was the gap between announcement and actionable guidance.

How Experienced CCBFA Members Responded

Brokers with strong processes didn’t rely on a single source or assumption. Instead, they applied a layered approach:

• Cross-referencing CBP communications with the Federal Register, identifying where official language clarified timing and scope

• Monitoring CSMS messages closely, watching for operational updates tied to filing procedures

• Engaging with peers through CCBFA networks, comparing interpretations, and identifying consistent patterns across the industry,

• Holding internal discussions and aligning teams on how to handle entries during the transition period

Rather than reacting to headlines, they built a clearer picture before advising clients.

What This Reveals About Staying Current

This type of scenario highlights an important reality:
Staying current with regulation updates is not just about access to information—it’s about how that information is interpreted and applied.

Experienced brokers tend to:

• Validate before acting, confirming details across multiple sources rather than relying on initial reports

• Separate announcement from implementation, understanding that policy and execution are not always aligned immediately

• Communicate early but carefully, giving clients context without overcommitting to incomplete guidance

Where CCBFA Membership Adds Real Value

During periods of regulatory uncertainty, professional networks become especially important.

CCBFA members benefit from:

• Shared interpretation across experienced professionals, helping identify how others are applying new rules in real time

• Access to industry discussions, where edge cases and practical challenges are openly explored

• Educational programming and updates are designed to break down complex regulatory developments into operational insights

In fast-moving situations, having access to peer insight can be just as valuable as the regulation itself.

Turning Regulation Updates Into Client Confidence

Clients don’t just need updates—they need clarity.

Brokers who stand out during uncertain moments are those who can:

• Explain what is known vs. still developing

• Outline practical next steps, even when guidance is incomplete

• Provide reassurance through structured communication, not speculation

That ability builds long-term trust.

Professional Awareness Is a Competitive Advantage

Regulatory change is part of the job—but how brokers respond to it defines their value.

The difference between reacting and leading often comes down to preparation, process, and connection to the broader industry.

Organizations like CCBFA support that process by helping members stay informed, connected, and ready to respond when regulation updates move faster than expected.

Stay Connected with the CCBFA Community

CCBFA members can stay ahead of regulation updates by:

• Attending association events and educational programs

• Following CCBFA updates and industry communications

• Participating in peer discussions across the brokerage community

Learn more at ccbfa.org and stay connected with professionals who turn regulatory change into operational clarity.

The Chicago trade hub has always been central to North American logistics—but for customs brokers and freight forwarders, its value shows up less in theory and more in daily operations.

Chicago is not just a midpoint. It’s where intermodal timing, documentation alignment, and inland clearance strategy collide—often under tight timelines.

For members of the Chicago Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (CCBFA), the real advantage isn’t just access to infrastructure. It’s knowing how to work within Chicago’s complexity and guide clients through it.

What’s Changing in the Chicago Trade Hub Right Now

Chicago’s role hasn’t diminished—but how it’s being used is evolving.

CCBFA members are seeing:

• More inland routing by design, not exception, importers are intentionally bypassing congested coastal clearance in favor of rail-first strategies into Chicago.

• Increased pressure on intermodal timing, tighter rail schedules and terminal dwell expectations are reducing margin for documentation delays.

• Greater reliance on O’Hare for high-value or time-sensitive freight, especially when ocean schedules become unreliable.

• Shifts in inventory strategy, more clients are staging freight in the Midwest to balance national distribution and reduce coastal dependency.
   

This means Chicago is no longer just a fallback option—it’s becoming a planned gateway in supply chain design.

Where Chicago Creates Advantage—and Friction

Chicago’s multimodal network is unmatched. But that density creates operational realities that brokers and forwarders must actively manage.

Rail + Port Timing Misalignment

• Containers discharged at coastal ports may be released before documentation is fully aligned for inland clearance, creating timing gaps between port release and Chicago arrival.

• Rail transit continues moving even when documentation is incomplete, increasing pressure on brokers to resolve issues before containers reach inland terminals.
   

Intermodal Documentation Gaps

• Ocean bills of lading, rail waybills, and inland delivery orders don’t always align cleanly, requiring manual reconciliation across systems.

• Small discrepancies—such as consignee naming or piece counts—can delay availability at Chicago terminals.
   

Terminal Congestion and Appointment Constraints

• Chicago-area intermodal ramps (e.g., Joliet, Elwood, Bedford Park) can experience appointment bottlenecks, especially during volume surges.

• Missed pickup windows can quickly turn into storage costs or chassis availability issues.
   

Inland Clearance: Where Assumptions Break Down

One of the most common misconceptions brokers manage is where and how customs clearance actually happens.

In Chicago, that often leads to:

• Cargo arriving inland before clearance is finalized, requiring tight coordination between entry filing and terminal availability.

• Importer confusion around “port of entry” vs. “port of clearance”, especially when cargo moves under bond inland.

• Timing sensitivity for ISF and entry data, where delays upstream can create downstream clearance pressure.
   

For CCBFA members, this is where client education becomes operationally critical, not just informational.

Cargo Exams Don’t Stay at the Port

Chicago introduces a different dynamic for cargo inspections.

Instead of port-based exams, brokers often coordinate:

• Exams at inland CES facilities, requiring additional dray moves, scheduling, and communication with multiple parties.

• Transfers between rail ramps and exam sites, adding cost and complexity if not planned in advance.

• Delays tied to exam availability, especially during peak volume periods.
   

This creates a layer of logistics that doesn’t exist in the same way at coastal ports—and requires proactive planning.

How CCBFA Members Add Value in Chicago

In this environment, the role of the broker and forwarder becomes more strategic.

CCBFA members consistently:

• Align documentation with rail timing, ensuring entries are ready before containers hit inland terminals.

• Coordinate across multiple handoffs, from ocean carrier to rail to dray provider to warehouse.

• Set client expectations early, explaining how inland routing changes clearance timing and responsibilities.

• Troubleshoot in real time, resolving issues before they create downstream delays.

Chicago rewards professionals who understand not just the network—but how its moving parts interact under pressure.

Professional Takeaways for CCBFA Members

For those operating within the Chicago trade hub, a few realities stand out:

• Chicago is a planned gateway now, not just a contingency when coasts fail.

• Intermodal timing drives everything, documentation, clearance, and drayage must align with rail schedules.

• Inland clearance requires education, clients often need guidance on how the process differs from port clearance.

• Operational detail is the differentiator, success depends on managing small details before they become delays.

Supporting the Chicago Trade Community

Chicago’s strength comes from more than infrastructure—it comes from the professionals working within it.

The Chicago Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (CCBFA) supports this environment by connecting brokers, forwarders, and logistics professionals who manage these challenges every day.

Through shared knowledge, education, and collaboration, CCBFA helps ensure Chicago remains not just connected—but operationally effective.

Continue the Conversation with CCBFA

As supply chains continue to evolve, so will the role of inland hubs like Chicago.

CCBFA provides a platform for professionals to exchange insights, stay informed, and strengthen the network that keeps freight moving through one of North America’s most complex logistics environments.

Chicago has long been a powerhouse in U.S. trade, acting as a vital hub for air, rail, and road cargo moving across the country and beyond. As one of the nation's most critical inland ports, the city’s trade infrastructure plays a central role in the daily work of customs brokers, freight forwarders, importers, and exporters. For members of the Chicago Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association (CCBFA), understanding the evolving dynamics of this infrastructure is key to staying ahead.

Key Advantages of Chicago’s Trade Ecosystem

• Centrally located, Chicago’s geography provides unmatched access to both coasts, major manufacturing regions, and Canadian markets, making it a strategic point for freight consolidation and distribution.

• Intermodal Connectivity, as one of the largest rail hubs in North America, O’Hare International Airport’s global cargo reach, and a robust trucking network, enable members to move goods efficiently across multiple modes.

• Customs Support Infrastructure provides proximity to CBP facilities, FDA offices, and key Partner Government Agencies, helping reduce processing delays and support accurate entry filings.
  Experienced Workforce: the city is home to a highly skilled logistics and compliance workforce, supported by long-standing CCBFA training programs and industry collaboration.

Current Challenges for Brokers and Forwarders

• Congestion and Delays, truck bottlenecks around O’Hare, rail backlogs, and limited drayage capacity strain supply chains and compress cut-off windows for time-sensitive cargo.

• Infrastructure Gaps: While investment continues, outdated roadways and limited cross-docking facilities in specific industrial corridors slow throughput and increase costs.

• Regulatory Complexity, evolving compliance requirements—from forced labor laws to FDA holds—require constant attention and up-to-date knowledge for successful filings.

• Warehouse Availability, industrial real estate near O’Hare remains tight, making space planning and cargo staging a challenge for many importers and service providers.

Join the Conversation. Shape the Future.

If you're not already a CCBFA member, now is the time. Your voice is critical to solving the challenges and shaping the opportunities facing Chicago’s trade community. Through education, advocacy, and industry connections, CCBFA helps customs brokers and forwarders not just adapt—but lead.

Become a member today and help make the Midwest trade gateway stronger, smarter, and more efficient.

As global trade shifts under new pressures—from digitalization to geopolitics—customs brokers are standing at a critical crossroads in 2026. To remain competitive and compliant, it’s no longer enough to be reactive. Today’s customs professionals must be strategic, forward-looking, and technology-ready.

Here are five emerging trends every customs broker should have on their radar this year:

1.  AI and Automation in Trade Documentation

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond buzzword status and into real-time customs operations. From automating entry data validation to AI-powered anomaly detection in compliance reporting, digital tools are transforming how brokers process paperwork. Expect to see broader adoption of tools that integrate AI with existing software platforms, resulting in faster clearance and fewer errors.

2.  Expanding U.S. Trade Agreements and Regional Shifts

In 2026, the U.S. is actively renegotiating and expanding trade relationships in the Indo-Pacific and Latin America. Brokers must rapidly pivot to stay current on the rules of origin, tariff rate quotas, and customs procedures under emerging frameworks. Education is no longer a yearly update but a constant flow of changes that affect the real costs of a supply chain. The trend toward nearshoring also means new import/export flows and compliance risks to monitor.

3.  ACE Portal Advancements and Broker Accountability

CBP continues to enhance the ACE Portal, including expanded analytics and new ACE 2.0 modules. Along with technical upgrades comes increased scrutiny on brokers to ensure accuracy in entry summaries, ISF filings, and PGA coordination. Proactive data management and internal audits are becoming best practices—not just good ideas.

4.  Digital Compliance and eInvoicing Mandates

Countries around the world are mandating digital customs filings and eInvoicing. The EU, Mexico, and Brazil are setting the pace, and the U.S. could follow. Brokers should be preparing their clients for system integration, format changes, and data retention rules—especially for multinational shippers.

5.  Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk

With growing digital interconnectivity comes vulnerability. Cyber threats targeting freight forwarders and customs brokers are increasing in frequency. In 2026, expect more pressure on brokers to adopt robust cybersecurity protocols, especially as federal agencies move toward stricter digital trade security standards.

The customs broker of the future needs more than wisdom and experience—they're a strategist, technologist, and compliance expert. By staying ahead of these emerging trends, brokers can add value, build trust, and protect clients in an increasingly complex trade environment.

Are you ready for the next generation of customs challenges? Join CCBFA Chicago to stay connected, informed, and influential in shaping the future of trade.

Dear Members, 

If you missed the chance to engage with the THE INS AND OUTS OF THE ACE PORTAL webinar live on Tuesday February 8, 2022, we have the VOD here for your utilization!

Come get tips and tricks to help you with the ACE Portal. Have you watched all the Videos on Reports? Have you read all the training Guides? We will cover things not included in the Videos and Guides.

We will cover the following and more: Export Reports, More on how to make your own reports not use the canned reports, How to add employees to your portal, How to remove employees from the portal when they no longer work for your company, How to best use the ADD/CVD tool, How to use the ISF tool, How to upload your documents in the portal for DIS , More in-depth on Post Summary Corrections, Protests in the Portal.

Speakers:  Carlos Rodriguez, Information Technology Specialist, National ACE / PGA SCO, Readiness and Deployment Branch, Trade Transformation Office, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Cargo Systems Messaging Service  CSMS #41151809

Information on Bills Issued Prematurely for Some Informal Entries.

Due to the federal holiday on December 24, some informal entries were liquidated prematurely on December 25 with incorrect bill amounts. These bills will be cancelled, the entries will be re-liquidated, and any bills will be re-issued with the correct amounts.

CSMS #41149692 - U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement: Information on Claiming Preferential Treatment

The US-Japan Trade Agreement (“Agreement”) will enter into force on January 1, 2020.  This message is to inform the trade community of the requirements for claiming preferential treatment under this new Agreement. 

In order to receive preferential treatment, a good must be originating and meet all the requirements of the U.S.-Japan Agreement. 

Annex II to the Agreement specifies the rules of origin used to determine if a good qualifies for preferential tariff treatment or “originates” under the Agreement.  The product-specific rules (Annex II to the Agreement) specify the level of change of tariff classification that non-originating materials must undergo.  General Note 36 will be added to the HTSUS and will include the requirements of the Agreement. The links to the US-Japan Trade Agreement text and related documents are below.

FILING INSTRUCTIONS:

• From January 1, 2020 through January 13, 2020, importers must pay duties on qualifying goods under the Agreement and request a preferential tariff retroactive claim by filing a post summary correction (PSC) to request the duty refund.  The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) will accept the new special program indicator ‘JP’ as a prefix to the eligible tariff number on January 14, 2020.
• On or after January 14, 2020, ACE will accept the new special program indicator ‘JP’ as a prefix to the eligible tariff number. Importers claiming preferential treatment under the Agreement must include on the entry, the special program indicator “JP” as a prefix to the eligible tariff number for each qualifying good requesting such preference.

To claim preferential tariff treatment under the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, the following requirements must be met:

1. Country of Origin must be ‘JP’
2. Country of Export must be ‘JP’
3. Once programmed in ACE, the Special Program indicator 'JP' must be placed before the eligible tariff number to make the claim. 
4. Claims for preferential treatment under this Agreement are not exempt from the merchandise processing fee (class code 499 and class code 311).
5. The tariff-rate quota allocation for beef from Japan is modified as follows:
   • The country specific Japan beef quota (200,000 kg) is eliminated and added to “other countries.” This updates the “other countries or areas” limit to 65,005,000 kg.
   • There is no change to the entry filing process. The ACE quota module will process eligible beef from Japan under the “Other countries or areas” quota.

More details on US-Japan implementing instructions will be provided on 

Dear Members of the CBFAA,

Please  note updated contact information from FDA. Chicago and Illinois ports are under the jurisdiction of FDA Division of Northern Border Imports.  Please see the PGA folder on this website for the complete list of Northern Border FDA Port Offices which comprise the states of ID, IL, IN, MI, ME, MN, MT and ND.

, Director, Investigations Branch (West)

Vacant, Director, Compliance Branch (West)

Compliance Branch: If you need to contact the monitoring Compliance Officer, please use the specific contact information provided on your FDA Notice of Action.

Entry documents and electronic private laboratory analytical packages can be submitted using the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) at https://itacs.fda.gov.

Electronic private laboratory analytical packages may also be submitted via email to the Compliance Officer listed on the FDA Notice of Action.

The status of an entry may be checked using the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) at https://itacs.fda.gov.

Division of Northern Border Imports

Division Management Overview

Sandra K. Sylvester, Acting Division Director

Vacant, Director, Investigations Branch (East)

Sherea Dillon, Director, Compliance Branch (East)

Eric Joneson

Hello, Dear Members -
Several of the Board members attended Mary Aikens' retirement luncheon at CBP's office earlier this week on Tuesday, March 21st. Those of you who attended our Holiday Party 2016 recall that we honored Mary with the Gene Nikliborc Outstanding Service Award.

At the luncheon, it was our great pleasure to honor Mary with an engraved world clock to commemorate the award. Mary started her career in 1975 at headquarters and then moved to Chicago in 1977, where she served as an inspector in both Cargo and Passenger Processing. In January of 1989, she left the uniformed job and transferred to the Port of Chicago District office, where she served the next 13 years as Deputy Entry Officer. In 2002, Mary became Chief Entry Officer and served in this role until her retirement very soon.

We are honored to have experience Mary's service, knowledge and friendship over the years and wish her the best in a relaxing retirement!

Happy Spring to All!
Jane Sorensen

On Tuesday, March 1st, the NCBFAA  released a Monday Morning eBriefing newsletter, which focused on the recent statement that was made by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

According to the NCBFAA eBriefing,  the USCG took a moment to clarify its position on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the new carrier guidelines that require the exporter that is listed on carrier’s master bill of lading to provide a certification of the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of any container (including the tare weight of the container) tendered to the vessel operators.

There is no need to change processes

Admiral Paul Thomas of the USCG advised that the Coast Guard would need to implement the IMO’s changes through an appropriate regulatory rulemaking, before the IMO can compel the U.S. shippers and carriers to change their current business practices.

It was said that current ly the USCG feels that today’s process are     working as long as both the shipper and carrier has done their job    properly.  Since there is nothing deficient or inherently unsafe about existing export processes, the Coast Guard feels that there is no need to change processes and will not do anything to enforce the new VGM rules on either the U.S. shippers or carriers .

It is assumed that the carriers will not accept this and will continue to push U.S. exporters and OTIs to still provide a VGM  certificate.  This will be monitored carefully by the NCBFAA.

AESDirect has been moved to the ACE portal.  At this time, you can still access the AES Direct; however, it is the intent for CBP/ Census to move the login and password to ACE Portal.

It is just a matter of getting everyone signed on with a new password and login.    You may ask, "Why do we need to be on the ACE Portal, if we already link with AES through our software system?".  You can file AES through the ACE Portal,  if your system goes down.   The AESDirect via ACE Portal is a good back up for this purpose.  The sign up process takes a few days, so if you do not prepare in advance you will not be able to process AES through the ACE Portal.   When you are singed up, please note that the ACE Portal works best in Explorer. Firefox and Chrome work for the first screens, but anytime you want to drill into the system you will stop having functionality.

If you are a freight forwarder, the AES direct is located via the Exporter pull down view.    Then, go to Submit AESDirect Filings.  I recommend to send an EEI in the AESDirect in order to test that you know the process.

Once you are in the system you will find the program is user friendly.