CRCBFA
Welcome to the Columbia River Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association. The CRCBFA is organized to protect and further the business and interests of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders in the Columbia River Region, to promote the exchange of common ideas and problems, and to develop a cordial relationship among its members. Click HERE to view the current CRCBFA By-Laws.
Visit the CRCBFA Blog to get to know us! Or follow/like the CRCBFA on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. We look forward to getting to know you. Please feel free to email admin@crcbfa.org with questions or comments.
- The CRCBFA
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendars!
Recent News & Website Updates
Recent News & Website Updates
Antitrust Disclosure
The CRCBFA reminds all event participants that various state and federal laws prohibit the exchange of information among competitors regarding matters pertaining to price, refusals to deal, market division, tying relationships and other topics which may infringe upon antitrust regulations. No such exchange or discussion will be tolerated during CRCBFA events or meetings. These guidelines apply not only to the formal event or meeting sessions, but to informal discussions during breaks, meals or social gatherings. Thank you for your cooperation.
List 4A tariff rate will be reduced from 15% to 7.5%
The USTR website posted a FRN that will be issued in the coming days stating that the List 4A tariff rate will be reduced from 15% to 7.5% on February 14.
Mission Trip To D.C.
CRCBFA 2019 Annual Holiday
Meeting & Luncheon
Guest Speaker: Alex Strogen
Chief Commercial Officer from The Port of Vancouver USA
Thank you to Avalon for sponsoring
Hot Cocoa & Cider Bar
Raffle Gift Table
Thank you to all who attended & participated. Happy Holidays!
Would you like to receive event invites from the CRCBFA?
CRCBFA Membership Meeting and Luncheon
January 30,2020
Peter Friedmann
Known as “Our man in DC”, is coming to Portland for his annual address to CRCBFA.
Peter is counsel for the CRCBFA and the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Forwarders, and has direct knowledge of the issues that impact us, & our clients. As we all know there have been many changes and challenges that 2019 had in store for the industry and our clients. You won't want to miss what Peter has to share with us and what is in store for our industry for 2020. Peter will be covering the below questions pertaining to the current US-China Tariff War.
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What will be the real impacts to the PNW Maritime and Port world?
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Is it really about tariffs?
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How did it happen, and where is it going?
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Could it be permanent?
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Why does Congress support it (or at least not oppose it)?
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How are industry and agriculture adapting, and what does it mean for air and ocean shipping?
No topic is off limits. Peter loves to answer our questions make sure to come prepared and ready for an engaging conversation.
Menu
Entree: Smoked Salmon with roasted garlic vinaigrette or Citrus herb chicken
Chefs seasonal vegetable selection
Chefs seasonal starch selection
Fresh baked rolls & butter
Desert: Cupcakes by Seraphina’s Bakery. Thank you to Peter Friedmann!
Venue Date Sheraton Airport Hotel Thursday January 30, 2020
8235 NE Airport Way Time
Portland, OR 97220 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
*Parking is Free*
Print your parking ticket at the gate and make sure to bring your parking ticket in with you and we will provide a parking validation sticker at the check in table.
* Please Note*
Those reserving space without attending will be billed, reservations may be Transferred. No cancellations accepted the day of event. Look forward to seeing you there.
The CRCBFA is pleased welcome back Heather Litman to discuss the key enforcement topics and issues for the New Year.
Seminar Overview
CPB targets and methods for enforcement focus in 2020 and best practices for importers to remain compliant while adapting to the ever-changing trade landscape.
Heather Litman is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP, one of the nation’s largest law firms devoted exclusively to international trade and customs matters. Her practice is focused on helping domestic and foreign-based companies maximize trade benefits, while maintaining compliant international trade programs. She represents clients before U.S. Customs and Border Protection in a full range of traditional customs matters involving tariff classification, valuation, origin, labeling, intellectual property rights, broker compliance, and other government agency regulatory requirements. Heather also represents companies in administrative enforcement actions. When matters cannot be acceptably resolved at the administrative level, she litigates before the US Court of International Trade and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Heather began her legal career in 1991 and previously served as law clerk to the Hon. Harvey Schneider and the Hon. Stephen O’Neil of the Los Angeles Superior Court. She is a licensed customs broker and for many years served as an instructor for the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association’s Customs Broker preparatory class. Heather is a frequent speaker on global customs and international trade issues.
Seminar Details
Thursday, January 30, 2020
Seminar: 0930 -11:00 am
Lunch: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Venue
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel
235 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97220
$75.00 – seminar only
$100.00 – seminar and lunch featuring the one and only Peter Friedmann
Contact:
admin@crcbfa.org with any questions
CRCBFA Presents
Enforcement 2020 Seminar
28th Annual PCC Mission to DC!
Saturday February 22, 2020 through Tuesday February 25, 2020
For any freight forwarder or customs broker member of one of the 5 local associations of the
PCC - Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders
“Attendees must be a CRCBFA Regular Member to attend”
If there was ever a time for brokers and forwarders to come to DC, it's this spring!
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China tariffs – on again – off again
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Impeachment Frenzy
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e-commerce - Section 321, role of the broker
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USMCA – Next steps
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Export documentation penalties – change is coming
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Meet the FMC Commissioners
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Action on Demurrage - Detention
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US-EU tariff tussle
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CBP leadership
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A Day on The Hill
What the Mission does for you. The PCC Mission means customs brokers and freight forwarders on the Pacific Coast can interact directly with government officials and Congress to hear first-hand what is really going on in DC, without the filter of cable news ‘talking heads’. Many brokers and forwarders say that the PCC Mission are three of the most worthwhile and memorable days of the year. (Plus, the Mission is worth NCBFFA credits).
Click Here to Register for the Mission!
Intercontinental Washington DC located at The Wharf –the hottest new area in town. An excellent PCC rate of $259 per night ($30/night less than last year!).
Click here to make your hotel reservation. Or, book by phone at 833-249-1029 and ask for Pacific Coast Councilrate with group code PCC.
Program Overview
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Saturday night. Welcome to DC! Dangerously Delicious Pies and libations, at Friedmann’s brand new rooftop overlooking Pennsylvania Ave. and the US Capitol
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Sunday morning PCC Board Meeting (all Missionaries are strongly encouraged to attend)
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Mission Briefing, Sunday lunch and afternoon.
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Annual Mission Opening Dinner
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Monday Briefing with CBP - all CBP issues and programs impacting brokers and forwarders.
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Federal Maritime Commission, FDA, leaders of major DC trade associations
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Off-the-Record Dinner with senior government officials -- always a special event.
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Tuesday breakfast at Capitol Hill Club. Key trade policy maker.
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PCC Missionaries fan out over Capitol Hill to take our messages to the staff and Members of the California, Oregon and Washington Congressional Delegations.
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Mission Wrap Up – Tuesday 5:30 PM, we review what we learned and the challenges ahead
Flying to DC. Fly into Reagan National (DCA) – huge savings in time/money once you are on the ground. From Reagan, you are ten minutes and a $13 cab ride from The Wharf. (Dulles and BWI are $75 to $90 taxi.) Alaska Airlines flies non-stop to Reagan from LAX, PDX, SFO and SEA. United and American also fly non-stop to DCA.
Information? PCC Counsel, Peter Friedmann, . For hotel and registration matters: Stephen Hudson 202-783-3333.
2019 CRCBFA Annual Food and Funds Drive
Benefiting the Oregon Food Bank
The CRCBFA would like to thank you for your participation and
donations for another successful CRCBFA annual food & funds drive.
The food & funds donations were dropped of at the Oregon Food Bank this week. Please stay tuned as we are expecting to have final numbers for the donations soon. If you still wish to donate it's no too late! Please click on the CRCBFA online giving page link below.
* 10 lbs of donated food is equivalent of 8 meals *
* $10 donations supports our community with as many as 30 meals *
Please Email: if you have any questions.
THE
CRCBFA Ill-logistics
COMIC SERIES!
As illustrated by Dark Hammer Productions.
THE PREMIER ANNUAL GATHERING OF FREIGHT FORWARDERS, NVOCC'S AND CUSTOMS BROKERS
Why Go To WESCCON?
LEARN: Improve your business and your career with workshops, panels, roundtable discussions and town hall meetings on timely topics. Stay informed about the latest industry issues and trends.
PARTICIPATE & COMMUNICATE: Support your industry and let your voice be heard by US regulators and legislators on issues that affect your business. Volunteer for a PCC or WESCCON committee. Find out how you can make a difference.
NETWORK: WESCCON offers the best opportunity to meet people in the global logistics industry. Whether by attending or exhibiting, by finding contacts in the Directory of Registrants, or promoting your name as a sponsor, participation in WESCCON gives you the contacts you need. As we often hear from our WESCCON participants, there is no other conference in this industry that offers the educational, networking and social programs for such a reasonable registration fee.