The following presentations are available for informational purposes only related to COVID-19.  Please be advised that the material provided is not legal binding and should not be considered legal advice.

The following client advisories have been issued by JAS USA Compliance regarding the impact of COVID-19.

JAS USA Compliance is receiving questions regarding the importing materials related to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The below information is intended to be a guide and serve as a resource for informational purposes.​

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IMPORTING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

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When an inquiry is submitted to JAS USA Compliance regarding the importation of personal protective equipment (PPE), please provide answers to the following questions when submitting your inquiry:

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Face Mask/Respirators

• What is the intended purposes?  Medical or non-medical?  Surgical mask that provide a liquid barrier protection?
• Who is the manufacturer?
• What is the type?  N95, KN95, KN100, etc?
• Are they NIOSH Approved or Non-NIOSH approved? The approved list of NIOSH respirators can be found HERE.

Hand Sanitizer/Antibacterial Soaps

• Is it alcohol based? What is the content of the alcohol?
• Who is the manufacturer? Is the manufacturer registered with FDA?

Surface Disinfectors

• Is it the cleaner considered to be a pesticide?

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COVID-19 Test Kits

• Who is the manufacturer?

Thermometers

• Are the thermometers liquid filled or non-liquid filled?

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Surface Disinfectors

• Is it the cleaner considered to be a pesticide?

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If the inquiry is regarding any other emergency items not listed, please provide as much information about the product as possible including the manufacturer information and a complete description.

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Any further questions regarding importing COVID-19 materials can be sent to compliance@jas.com.

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RESOURCES AND FREQUENTLY REQUESTED INFORMATION

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FDA’s Subject Matter Experts

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Due to the large number of inquiries that FDA and CBP have been receiving on importing medical products under one of the guidance documents or an Emergency Use Authorization, we have set up the following email addresses for importers, manufacturers, or brokers to get direct answers.

• Diagnostic tests: COVID19DX@FDA.HHS.GOV
• Ventilators: CDRH-COVID19-Ventilators@fda.hhs.gov
• Surgical masks: CDRH-COVID19-SurgicalMasks@fda.hhs.gov
• Other personal protective equipment (PPE): CDRH-COVID19-PPE@fda.hhs.gov​
• Hand sanitizers: COVID-19-Hand-Sanitizers@fda.hhs.gov
• General import inquiries: COVID19FDAIMPORTINQUIRIES@fda.hhs.gov

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For more information, please visit the following links to FDA's COVID-19 website

• FDA COVID-19 Homepage
• Q&A for Consumers: Hand Sanitizers and COVID-19
• Animal Health & Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Industry FAQs: Animal Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19

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CSMS # 42448725 - Information for Filing Personal Protective Equipment & Medical Devices During Covid-19

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GTEC 2020 – SAVE THE DATE!

​Date:  August 3-4th, 2020

Location:  Chicago IL

The NCBFAA Educational Institute invites all global logistics professionals to its 6th Annual Global Trade Educational Conference (G·TEC). This two-day event that will give customs brokers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, OTI, service providers, importers, exporters and all global logistics professionals an opportunity to update themselves on industry developments and connect with colleagues new and old.

Register Here

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POSTPONED:  17th Annual International Trade Symposium

Updated Date:  September 22-24, 2020

Location:  Norfolk, VA

VMA’s 17th Annual International Trade Symposium is the East Coast’s premier conference addressing the topics most affecting port operations and cargo logistics, drawing-in attendees from around the globe.

Register Here

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NCSD April 2020 Webinars

Date:  April - July 2020

The National Commodity Specialist Division, Office of Trade, is excited to present the next round of commodity-specific, educational webinars to support your business in these difficult times.  Beginning April through July, 2020, the webinars will begin at 1:30 PM EST and run an hour, unless specified otherwise.  The full schedule will be forthcoming, however due to COVID-19, we will evaluate how the webinars, scheduled below for April, work while hosting from a remote location, before we proceed with monthly registration for the remaining webinars.  Please sign on to all webinars using the link below:  Thank you for your participation!

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Webinar Link

Phone number and passcode:

1877-873-8017

4252731

​The April schedule is as follow:

21-Apr

1:30-2:30pm EST

Plastic Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip

23-Apr

1:30-2:30pm EST

Untangling Bedding of 9404

29-Apr

1:30-2:30pm EST

Women’s Knit Jumpsuits and Bodysuits of Heading 6114

30-Apr

1:30-2:30pm EST

Sleepwear to Beachwear

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Are you aware of these basic protective measures that could help to protect you and your family against the coronavirus (COVID-19).  The World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that each of us practice these basic preventive measures as often as possible to help take care of your health and protect others.

1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
2. Maintain at least a 3 to 6 feet distance between yourself and anyone else.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
4. Practice respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow if you cough or sneeze.
5. If you have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing stay home and contact medical care early if necessary.

Stay healthy and safe!

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With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, some importers have begun to ask questions regarding requirements for importing face masks and respirators. JAS Compliance issued an advisory that intends to be a resource in providing helpful information regarding this topic.

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The Office of US Trade Representative has issued several lists of exclusions and are continuing to update the lists.  Have you checked to see if your products apply?  JAS Compliance can help you get a refund if your product qualifies, which may be important during this time.  Contact your local JAS Representative for more information!

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the implementation of phase six of the Lacey Act enforcement schedule, which will go into effect on October 1, 2020.   In this phase, 29 new tariff lines will be enforced and includes commodities such as essential oils, wood and articles of wood, musical instruments, trunks, cases, suitcases, and more.  Aphis is inviting public comments on the products covered under the implementation of this phase until June 1.

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A petition filed March 9 could impact common aluminum sheet from Bahrain, Brazil, Croatia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Oman, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey with antidumping duties countervailing subsidies on merchandise from Bahrain, Brazil, India, and Turkey  The average dumping margins range from 15.90 to 151.00 percent. The Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission is currently investigating and will next determine whether to launch AD and/or CV duty on this product.

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Originally CBP announced in CSMS message # 42097586 on March 20th that resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic CBP would review requests on a case by case basis if additional days for payment of estimated duties, taxes and fees were needed.  Then on March 26th, they notified the trade community that they are no longer accepting requests for additional days for duty payments. Single payments, daily and periodic monthly statement payments of estimated duties, taxes and fees that should have been tendered from 3/20/2020 through 3/26/2020, must be initiated by 3/27/2020.   This announcement was published in CSMS #42161666.

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The Office of US Trade Representative has modified Section 301 investigation of China acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation by removing additional duties from medical-care products needed to address the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering ongoing developments, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative is requesting public comments on possible further modifications to remove duties from additional medical-care products.

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