The year 2022 has been yet another year of “interesting times” for our industry. As the first year of my two-year term comes to an end, I can say that never before has trade been more of a front-page issue in the media and never has it been more exciting to be at the forefront of what comes next. While 2020 saw panic and trade volumes initially plummet, and 2021 witnessed an absolute explosion in trade volumes, 2022 has been a year of finding a new equilibrium. Predictions for continued upward pressure on gas prices, contraction of growth on a global scale, and supply issues involving energy and grain will make for another interesting year in 2023.
Looking into the upcoming year, we see a continued focus on the Ocean Reform Shipping Act’s implementation. The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), a relatively small agency, has been given a heavy lift with this large piece of legislation. It will require the FMC to promulgate regulations that both achieve the congressional intent of the legislation and allow for a better trade balance and flow. NCBFAA considers the FMC to be one of our primary agencies for engagement, and we have been at the forefront of this regulatory agenda to ensure that our members receive clear and implementable “rules of the road.”
Speaking of rules, the long-awaited Customs and Border Protection (CBP) section 111 regulations, which govern the customs brokerage industry, were issued by the agency in late 2022 with a very short implementation window of 60 days. While Dec. 19 might be the official date for implementation, we know the ripple effect of these new regulations will be felt well into 2023. NCBFAA continues to seek clear and uniform written policies and procedures from CBP, so that our members under this new national permit system can best support their clients across the country.
Also in CBP, the 21st Century Customs Framework (21CCF) effort will most likely continue to dominate the customs landscape in 2023. NCBFAA has been at the forefront of this effort to find a balance between enforcement and facilitation, and is supportive of the trade efforts to cocreate with CBP a modernization package that we all can live with for the next 20 years. NCBFAA is especially grateful for the incredible amount of work that the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) — of which I am one of the 20 members — has dedicated to this significant effort since the start of this term.
Finally, we continue to look toward a future of one true USG and one face at the border, with one entry and one release being recognized by all of the Partner Government Agencies that touch trade. Through our NCBFAA Regulatory Agencies Committee, we have met with dozens of federal agencies, broadened their understanding of trade and the role our members play in it, and ultimately helped build a more seamless and functional trading system here in the US.
I look forward to a productive and prosperous 2023 for NCBFAA, our clients, and the entire global trade community.