James J. Boyle & Co. Operations Update

20Mar

James J. Boyle & Co. Operations Update

Dear Valued Customer,

During this difficult time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are thinking of the effects it may be having on your company, as well as you, your family and your employees. Over the last fifty (50) plus years of serving the international trade community, James J Boyle & Co has always provided the necessary services and guidance to confront a multitude of challenges to global trade.

This is no exception. Rest assured, JJB remains fully operational and prepared to provide the trusted, quality services you have come to expect during the most challenging of times.

We have executed our business continuity plan, enabling some of our Customs brokerage and import/export freight forwarding professionals to serve you remotely as needed, while protecting the health and safety of our professionals and support staff. You can still contact us via the same company email addresses and phone numbers. If your account handler is working remotely, they may inform you of an alternate means of contacting them directly.

While we understand that in-person meetings sometimes are preferred, for health reasons, we will leverage voice and/or video conferencing for the time being. We will continue to inform and advise you on critical developments that are impactful and relevant to your company to maximize the flow of your goods and protect your financial posture.

Here are various updates related to the COVID-19 impact on trade and business:

The Presidential Proclamation restricting travel from certain countries pertains specifically to travelers and not to cargo. Crew members are excluded from entry suspensions but may be subject to screening.
Coast Guard: Seaports can receive ships and exchange cargo, even if they are from countries more affected by COVID-19. Steps have been put in place to protect the health of all involved – crew, longshore, security, port pilots, and all others.
Seaports: Marine terminals can receive vessel calls and workers can transfer cargo off and on ships under the health-protective directives established early in the crisis by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection, with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There could be local port exceptions – please contact the local port authorities for specific local port information.
Some Local Ports Scheduled Closures and Updates:
- March 19, 2020 HOUSTON – Customs & Border Protection has announced that the Port of Houston Authority (POHA) has suspended operations at Bayport and Barbours Cut Shipping Terminals temporarily due to a COVID-19 issue. CBP will work with POHA to ensure orderly business resumption once a decision is made to reopen the terminals. In the meantime, interested trade community members with specific questions regarding cargo matters may contact the Houston Seaport Cargo Resolution team at (713) 454-8049 or the 24/7 help desk at (713) 454-8002.
  - UPDATE: As of the afternoon of March 19, the Port of Houston has announced that it will re-open the terminals late on March 19, 2020.
- March 19, 2020 – MIAMI:
  - According to the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC), POMTOC will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, 3/23/2020 and 3/24/2020 due to extremely low import volumes caused by “blanked vessel sailings”.
  - Port Everglades will be closed 3/19/2020.
- March 13, 2020 – Long Beach, CA (updated March 15) – The Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA) provided the following Port of Long Beach Updates:
  - Terminals Open and Operating; Port Working Closely with Health Agencies to Monitor Crisis
  - Port of Long Beach marine terminals are open and operating amid the unfolding health crisis, with regular vessel calls and scheduled work shifts continuing at the nation’s second-busiest seaport.
  - Meanwhile, the Port is monitoring developments of the COVID-19 outbreak and working closely with health agencies including the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services to optimize safety and communication.
  - The Port’s marine terminals can receive vessel calls and workers can transfer cargo off and on ships under the health-protective directives established early in the crisis by the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection, with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  - The Coast Guard has directed that seaports can receive ships and exchange cargo, even if they are from countries more affected by COVID-19. Steps have been put in place to protect the health of all involved – crew, longshore, security, port pilots, and all others.
  - Thanks to those measures, the nation’s maritime commerce can continue even during the crisis, helping to sustain the economy. The Port of Long Beach is a major economic engine and thus works diligently to plan for business continuity in situations like this, to ensure that our vital link in the supply chain is fully functioning.
  - The Port is also working very closely with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, supporting communications and planning efforts. Local health officials are leading highly effective efforts to communicate with the public and to ensure continued vigilance. Up-to-date information is available on the City of Long Beach’s website here.
  - While the Port’s primary focus is to protect the well-being of the Port and industry workforce, all stakeholders are working diligently to ensure that cargo operations continue. The Port is actively partnering with all stakeholders to keep our link in the supply chain moving forward.
- March 13, 2020 – National Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) COVID-19 Update:
  - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hosted a conference call with the Trade this afternoon to discuss the current status of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak and its effect on Cargo and Port Operations.
  - CBP reiterated that the Presidential Proclamation issued on March 11 pertains specifically to travelers and not cargo. The medical community does not view cargo as a transmission vector for the virus at this time, but if CBP receives different guidance, they will relay that information immediately. The Presidential Proclamation also excludes crewmen from entry suspension. To that point, the Coast Guard issued guidance in February stating that as long as a crew member is not displaying symptoms of COVID-19, they can arrive and proceed as normal. The crew, however, may be subject to additional health screenings when they arrive. As for aircrew, if there is a cargo flight with crew only, they may continue on as usual. If not, foreign nationals and U.S. citizens will be funneled to one of the 13 screening airports.
  - As for the amount of cargo being processed, CBP states that there has been an immediate decline in express cargo, as well as a decline in other areas. There has been a slow-down in growth in air cargo, but the agency will continue to monitor the situation. China has seen an overall decline in vessels leaving the country, but vessels are still allowed to arrive at U.S. ports.
  - To date, CBP staffing has not been negatively impacted. However, with the widespread closure of schools, the agency believes they will see more of an impact next week. CBP says that all telework enabled staff will be teleworking starting next week and they will assess telework on a weekly basis and expand if necessary. Some Officers with suspected exposure are in a 14-day quarantine, but numbers are relatively low at this point. The agency is prepared with contingency plans to prioritize critical functions if more staff become unavailable for work.
  - The Office of Trade stated they remain focused on the USMCA implementation. They are looking into converting planned in-person meetings to webinars and conference calls.
  - At this time, COVID-19 has not impacted the Entry Type 86 and Data Pilots. CBP is monitoring the situation and will prioritize if/when the time comes.
  - To help combat the virus, CBP says they are “very quickly” granting exclusions for items that can help. HTS exclusions are in the works and CSMS messages are being issued.
  - The NCBFAA plans to participate in ongoing CBP held Trade calls and will relay all relevant information to our members as it comes to light.

OTHER COVID-19-RELATED UPDATES:

The President directed the SBA to provide low-interest loans to small businesses (3.75%) and asked Congress to increase SBA funding by $50 billion.
The SBA has issued a “Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)” which states that the SBA is working directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low interest loans to nonprofits and small businesses
In California, in his Emergency Order the Governor delayed the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19.
In San Francisco, the City is taking measures including deferring business taxes and licensing fees and launching a relief fund for impacted businesses. (As of yesterday)
In Sacramento, there is a plan to help businesses and residents handle insurance claims and would create a $1 million economic relief package for local businesses.

We will endeavor to keep you posted with significant updates. Please visit our homepage at www.jjboyle.com for additional updates as they become known.

Please contact your JJB representative with any questions, concerns or suggestions. The JJB team stands ready to support you.

The information accompanying this newsletter contains confidential information belonging to the sender which is legally privileged. The information is intended only for the use of customers of James J. Boyle & Co. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the content of this information is strictly prohibited. James J. Boyle & Co. will also not be held accountable for any discrepant information. The service we provide is based on our "Terms and Conditions of Service", which is available upon request.