Port congestion in the western United States has become a well-known secret. Container freight rates and port ships have sounded the alarm about soaring and congestion again. Where is the end of the skyrocketing port congestion and other problems?
Port of Los Angeles:
Handed more than 1 million TEU in May, 10th consecutive year Month-on-month growth, an increase of 74% compared to the same period last year. This is the busiest month in the port’s 114-year history and the first time a port in the Western Hemisphere has handled more than 1 million TEUs in a month;
Port of Oakland:
From January to May, the port handled 1.08 million containers, a record high;
Port of New York-New Jersey:
Cargo volume continues to maintain double-digit growth. Cargo handling volume at the New York-New Jersey Port increased by 23.8% in May 2021, reaching 796,693 TEU. This is the 10th consecutive month of growth for the port.
Port of Jacksonville, Florida:
Container throughput in May Volume set a new monthly record of 128,900TEU, a 37% increase from the same period last year, surpassing the port’s monthly container throughput record of 123,700TEU set in October 2019.
These figures highlight the pressure faced by U.S. ports, with cargo volumes increasing and container imports remaining high.
According to estimates from the American Retail Association, container import volumes at U.S. ports will remain above 2 million TEU in a single month from May to September, continuing to increase from previous forecasts. The main reason is that economic activities are gradually recovering, but U.S. retailer inventories are still at nearly 30-year lows, and strong demand for restocking will further boost cargo demand.
Congestion at major U.S. West Coast ports has eased and ship turnaround times improved over the past few months, but importers and logistics companies will face another challenge in the coming months. More trouble.
The new foreign trade regulations will be implemented in July 2021. In order to facilitate everyone to understand the dynamics of the foreign trade industry in a timely manner, avoid risks in a timely manner, and adjust business planning, please also Check the following new regulations promptly.
1 Cross-border e-commerce B2B export supervision pilot project is extended to customs nationwide
On June 28, the General Administration of Customs issued an announcement , in order to further promote the healthy and orderly development of cross-border e-commerce and help enterprises better explore the international market, it was decided to replicate and promote the cross-border e-commerce B2B export supervision pilot in the national customs on the basis of the existing pilot customs.
Cross-border e-commerce companies, cross-border e-commerce platform companies, logistics companies and other domestic companies that participate in cross-border e-commerce B2B export business should register with the local customs in accordance with the relevant provisions on the filing of customs declaration units.
The announcement will come into effect on July 1, 2021.
2 The General Administration of Customs adjusts the catalog of import and export commodities subject to inspection
Recently, the General Administration of Customs announced the “About Adjustments to the Import and Export Commodities Subject to Inspection” “Announcement on the Catalog” (hereinafter referred to as the “Announcement”) will be implemented from June 10, 2021.
It is learned from the “Announcement” that in accordance with the “Import and Export Commodity Inspection Law of the People’s Republic of China” and its implementation regulations, the General Administration of Customs has decided to adjust the catalog of import and export commodities that must be inspected. For exports:
Customs supervision condition “B” has been added to the 24 10-digit customs commodity numbers involving exports of steel billets and pig iron, and the customs will implement export commodity inspections on relevant commodities.
3 New EU VAT regulations are implemented
From July 1, 2021, the EU’s new e-commerce VAT regulations will come into effect. The goods are levied upon arrival in the country or region of destination where the recipient is located, and after the regulations take effect, only VAT must be reported through a single window, which can avoid the cost of registering, collecting and paying VAT at different rates in several EU countries or regions. Goods imported from non-EU countries with a value below €22 will no longer be exempt from VAT.
The EU’s new e-commerce VAT regulations aim to simplify the VAT compliance burden of cross-border e-commerce B2C sales, ensure that VAT collection follows the destination principle, and enable cross-border e-commerce and EU entities Fair competition for sellers.
4 The agent system for EU CE marked products will be implemented in accordance with the requirements of the new EU commodity safety regulations “Market Supervision Regulation (EU) 2019/1020”, starting from July 16, 2021 ( local time), most products with CE marks in the EU (except the UK) require the EU responsible person to be their product compliance contact.
In this regard, the EU has issued 25 technical directives (each directive targets a specific product category). Except for medical devices, civilian explosives and certain lifts and ropeway devices, all EU products carry CE Products marked with the mark are subject to this regulation. Such as toys, electronics, personal protective equipment, machinery, construction goods, gas equipment, recreational and personal watercraft, pressure vessels, and measuring equipment.
For most products with CE marks entering the EU from July 16, 2021, the product packaging must be labeled with relevant information of the EU person in charge. Otherwise, it may be detained by customs or returned. Please export. Enterprises pay attention. If the export company’s products do not have a manufacturer or importer established in the EU, it is recommended that the export company find a suitable authorized representative (European representative) in the market.
5The GCC imposes anti-dumping duties on aluminum alloy products
On June 15, the GCC Technical Secretariat for Anti-Injury in International Trade imposed anti-dumping duties on aluminum alloy products (Plates, Sheets, and Strip, of aluminum alloys, of a thickness not exceeding 8 mm but greaterthan 0.2mm, except those polished, coated, heat treatable, and aluminum canstock used for beverage cans and its lids.) The final ruling on the anti-dumping case will be made as of July 22, 2021 The tax will be levied on the date of application, with a tax rate of 33% and a period of 5 years.
The GCC member states include the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
6 India reduces the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on epidemic prevention-related products
On June 14, the Department of Revenue of the Indian Ministry of Finance Announcement No. 05/2021-Integrated Tax (Rate) was issued to cancel/reduce the goods and services tax (GST) on 18 items of anti-epidemic supplies for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) until September 31, 2021.
In addition, vaccine imports are still subject to a 5% GST tax. The Ministry of Finance stated that 75% of the vaccines are given to the public free of charge, without tax; 25% of the vaccines are administered at one’s own expense, and a 5% GST tax is required. %GST.
7 Brazil lowered import tariffs on 23 products. The Executive Management Committee (Gecex) of the Foreign Trade Commission (Camex) of the Brazilian Ministry of Economy issued Announcement No. 197 on June 7, lowering import tariffs. Import tariffs on 23 products to ensure normal supply of goods.
The list includes agricultural raw materials, chemicals, printing inks and contact lenses. The above-mentioned products will be subject to tariff quotas and import duties and tariffs will be reduced to 0 or 2% for up to 365 days.
8 Canada will enforce new regulations in July
According to Canadian Customs notification, starting from January 4, 2021, except for FROB and In-transit types In addition to the original ACI declaration, all goods imported into or transiting Canada must submit an E-Manifest declaration 24 hours before shipment. Canada Customs has given the new regulations a six-month transition period, and enforcement will begin on July 4.
For cargo owners who fail to declare correctly in a timely manner, no fine will be imposed (0 fine will be imposed) in the first 6 months of the official implementation of this regulation, but customs clearance must be completed only after the declaration is completed correctly. After the 6-month grace period, cargo owners who fail to declare correctly in a timely manner will be fined. </p
