This year marked the milestone 50th Annual NCBFAA conference, which took place in New Orleans. The NCBFAA, serving as the authoritative voice of the brokerage and logistics industry since 1897, holds considerable influence in shaping policy and driving reforms for the import and export community. M.E. Dey, a longstanding member for over five decades, has proudly attended this conference every year.

M.E. Dey President Sandi Siegel attended, along with Executive Vice President Sarah Azar and Vice President of Brokerage, Nicole Hess. Speakers included Commissioner Vekich of the FMC, the BIS, and U.S. Customs acting Commissioner Troy Miller.

For our customers and clients, we want to take this opportunity to provide you with some of the key takeaways from the conference:

  • For Importers:
    • Be ready for stops and holds on Forced labor. Customs is sending the message loud and clear this is a priority issue and importers must be able to answer questions on their full supply chain.
    • If you import “organic” food or products, the use of the “organic” label will be monitored to ensure it meets the definition of organic.
    • Additional reporting will soon be required by USDA for the Lacey Act and wood origin which will include reporting of origin for wood furniture.
    • CBP encourages all importers to get active on ACE for reporting purposes and for best managing their entries.
  • CBP and BIS having growing Concerns about increased incidents of cyber attacks and the need for contingency plans and threat mitigation for brokers & forwarders.
  • With the intensity of data reporting in our industry there are more and more applications in the Brokerage and Logistics industry for AI and finding ways to improve processes and efficiencies. Many vendors were in attendance.
  • Numerous sessions included discussions and updates on the new updated regulations regarding Customs Brokers and how we conduct business. The general focus is that Brokers have more direct communications with the importers they serve as well as brokers being held to new and higher standards including continuing education.
  • Continued efforts from our industry (NCBFAA) for regulatory reform to give importers and exporters relief from egregious fees at terminals for delays out of their control and holding the carriers and terminals responsible. The FMC and regulatory groups are working to get the rail covered by the regulatory reform and under the jurisdiction of the FMC which further protect importers and exporters from excessive fees at the rail. M.E. Dey’s lawsuit against Hapag Lloyd was mentioned several times as a landmark case that may make a change that support these efforts.