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NCBFAA
Government Affairs Conference
Avalon Risk Management, Inc. joined NCBFAA members when they
lobbied Congress during their Government Affairs Conference
(GAC) Sept. 17-20 in Washington, D.C.
The GAC is the one time during the year when industry
professionals meet at the Capitol to exchange ideas, hear
from government officials on new programs, promote changes
to current programs and bring trade issues to the attention
of Congress. This year’s attendance was the highest since
2000, with more than 100 members participating.
On Monday, members attended seminars regarding government
and industry issues. They also held a keynote luncheon
featuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner
Ralph Basham as the guest speaker.
“CBP’s partnership with the trade community is the key point
to reaching its goals,” Basham said during the luncheon,
praising the NCBFAA for helping in security.
Basham also discussed his plan to keep security and trade
linked together, mentioning how CBP looks to the trade
industry for advice on how to handle issues and assistance
in educating Congress.
“The Customs Brokers and Foreign Freight Forwarders
Association of Chicago (CBFFFAC) is dedicated to staying in
touch with our congressmen and women. Our legislative
chairman sends correspondence regarding the issues that are
important to the trade in Illinois on a regular basis. We
want to make sure our Illinois legislators are informed when
issues come up for a vote,” said CBFFFAC President, Mary
Peglow.
The generalized system of preferences (GSP), duty drawback
and port security were the three main position papers the
NCBFAA brought to Congress, and locally, the CBFFFAC
discussed rail infrastructure issues within Illinois.
| • |
GSP is a trade program designed to promote
economic growth in developing countries and allow smaller
U.S. companies the opportunity to become more competitive
with cheaper raw materials. NCBFAA members promoted the
extension of the program, which expires on December 31. |
| • |
Duty drawback is an export incentive program
giving U.S. companies a refund of 99 percent of duties paid
on imported goods, which are then exported or used to
manufacture goods for export. The current drawback statute
is difficult for CBP to administer and many want simpler
procedures. |
| • |
Both the Senate and the House of
Representatives recently passed a port security bill. The NCBFAA urged Congress to realize that 100 percent physical
inspection of all containers entering the U.S. would
completely halt trade. Members persuaded politicians to
support a layered approach to security, with 100 percent
security screening rather than inspection, informing
Congressmen and women about C-TPAT and other beneficial
programs members of the international trade community engage
in. |
| • |
Within Illinois, railroads experience a growth
of more than 15 percent each year, and many companies are
forced to relocate facilities or shorten the amount of time
available for importers to pick up containers. In a survey
the CBFFFAC conducted in late July, it was revealed that it
takes the average trucker 30 to 60 minutes just to pick up a
container, which adds costs for shippers and reduces the
efficiency in the supply chain. Members urged Illinois
Congressmen and women to facilitate discussions between the
railroads and the trade community to improve service. |
·
Avalon is fully committed to
your industry and our Customs Surety program is underwritten
by our sister company, Lincoln General Insurance Company
(Lincoln). Lincoln is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best and
has a Treasury listing of more than $16 million to
accommodate any Customs bond request.
Avalon’s
Bond Merlin™ software will assist you in complying with
the National Finance Center’s (NFC) requirements. Avalon
works closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to
ensure that the current version meets their criteria to file
continuous bonds with the NFC via e-mail. Bond Merlin™ is a
network able, PC-based, product. Bonds are reported on a 30
day schedule and all bond information is stored locally on
your computers. Our
Bond Merlin™ brochure provides more information about
this program.
Avalon’s Centralized Bond
Unit (CBU) was established in 2006 to assist our customers
with the centralized bond process the NFC has mandated on
all Activity 1 continuous bonds. Our CBU Department can
assist with any questions you may have and provide further
guidance on how to avoid your importer’s operation being
disrupted due to this NFC nationwide initiative.
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Left to right: Mary Jo Muoio, President,
NCBFAA; Mary Peglow, President, CBFFFAC; Scott Larson,
NCBFAA Area Director; Cindy Allen, President,
DCBFA. |
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Scott Larson, NCBFAA Area 5
Director; Mary Peglow, President, CBFFFAC; Honorable
Danny K. Davis, House of Representatives, 7th District
State of Illinois. |
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Mary Peglow, President, CBFFFAC;
Jon Kent, NCBFAA, Legislative Representative; Jason
Cunningham, CBFFFAC Legislative Committee Chairman;
Scott Larson, NCBFAA Area 5
Director. |
For further information,
please contact Christine Wade, National Accounts Manager in
our CBU Department or Gale Lawton, Surety Manager at
Avalon’s corporate headquarters. Christine Wade can be
reached at 847-700-8180 or via e-mail at
cwade@avalonrisk.com. Gale Lawton can be reached at
847-700-8070 or via e-mail at
glawton@avalonrisk.com. Of course, please do not
hesitate to contact one of our 9 regional offices throughout
the U.S. To view a directory of Avalon’s office locations,
please visit our Web site at
www.avalonrisk.com.
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