Powering Performance

CBP has released importer guidance to assist the trade community in preparing for the implementation of the UFLPA rebuttable presumption that goes into effect on June 21, 2022.  Please be aware that this is CBP’s importer guidance, which provides transparency to CBP’s operational approach, and not the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force’s Strategy, which will provide additional importer guidance, required by the UFLPA.

Department Continues to Advance Biden-Harris Administration’s Efforts to Stop Importation of Goods Produced by Forced Labor  

WASHINGTON – As part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF), chaired by DHS, today released the Strategy to Prevent the Importation of Goods Mined, Produced, Or Manufactured With Forced Labor in the People’s Republic of China (“Strategy”). The FLETF is an interagency task force that includes DHS, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Departments of Labor, State, Justice, Treasury, and Commerce. The UFLPA passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed by President Biden in December of 2021. The legislation set the relevant dates for the Department to release the Strategy and begin implementation of the law. The strategy is being released after robust engagement with importers, Congress, and other key stakeholders. 

Scott Mabry is a highly respected leader in the logistics industry.  He is manager, cross border logistics at Volkswagen Group of America and has held leadership roles at Gedas and Federal Mogul prior to joining Volkswagen since 2008. 

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and Drive Sustainability has released the updated version of the “Automotive Industry Guiding Principles to Enhance Sustainability Performance in the Supply Chain,” the reference document for suppliers that aims to address the latest trends and industry expectations on supply chain sustainability.

President Joe Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 into law on Thursday, promising sweeping changes to the ocean shipping industry after more than two years of port congestion, delays and rising costs.

The high-profile bill, which sailed through the House earlier this week, is part of the Biden administration’s attempt to rein in consumer price inflation that hit a new 40-year high this month.

As AIAG celebrates 40 years this month, the association says that successful collaborations and making sure standards and best practices are accessible to the entire automotive supply chain will help the industry navigate one of the most challenging periods in its history. With the evolution of electric vehicles and unprecedented supply chain and workforce challenges, the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is poised with 40 years of leadership experience to help the industry change, adapt, and grow.

Bridget Grewal is packaging continuous improvement director for Magna and a long-time AIAG leader and volunteer. Her most recent work includes helping AIAG complete the newer RC-18 publication and now orchestrating a version 2 of that same document. In this interview, Grewal talks about the work she’s found most rewarding and gives advice on how to get more from your AIAG membership.

SAN DIEGO — A rare Senate and House bipartisan agreement on an issue — the C-TPAT Pilot Program Act of 2022 — is being celebrated by the Transportation Intermediates Association as a major victory for the brokerage sector.

The unprecedented boom in logistics warehousing demand is now about a decade old. During most of the past 10 years, it was a safe bet that the aging of the industrial warehouse stock wasn’t considered a high priority. Stakeholders had their hands full just keeping up with demand for capacity that hit like a ton of bricks and has barely abated.

After four decades in law enforcement, Commissioner Chris Magnus maintains an enthusiasm for learning new things from other people. CBP photo by Glenn Fawcett. Graphic by Janice Swan-Jones

Sitting down with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus to discuss his first 100 days at the helm of the nation’s largest federal law enforcement agency, the conversation quickly focused on the importance of working with people to get things done. “Everything I feel has been a successful accomplishment has been the result of a team that I’ve been part of.”