A & A - Monthly Newsletter - A & A Contract Customs Brokers Ltd

April 2008 A & A Newsletter

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0800

April 2008 A & A Newsletter

A & A in the Community
	A & A is not only a Canadian owned business, based in Surrey, British Columbia, but is also very much involved in the community and has contributed to various charities and fundraising events: Surrey Food Bank BC Children’s Hospital Canadian Cancer Society Heart & Stroke Foundation Big Brolly Gala ...

Minister Day informs Canadians of new U.S. document requirements for land and water entry taking effect June 1, 2009
	Ottawa, Ontario, March 28, 2008 — The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. government's announcement detailing the new document requirements for travel by land and water to the United States under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Source:

Border Patrol Recruiters Target New Englanders
	Houlton, Maine - The United States Border Patrol is increasing its recruiting efforts in New England to hire 6,000 additional Border Patrol agents by the end of 2008. This national recruiting effort is in direct response to President Bush's May 2006 announcement to enhance border security by increasing the size of the Border Patrol. Houlton ...

China-U.S. Join Forces on Trade Security Pilot Program
	Washington — Cooperation between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the General Administration of China Customs to enhance global supply chain security took a step forward last week with the start of a pilot validation program in China. The pilot involved three Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism importer partners whose supply chains pr...

March 2008 A & A Newsletter

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

March 2008 A & A Newsletter

Second Windsor/Detroit bridge gets a boost
	WINDSOR, Ont. -- A key part of the joint U.S./Canada effort to build a new bridge linking Ontario with Michigan across the Detroit River has been finished, and a positive report made public. It pushes the controversial prospect of a new span downriver from the existing Ambassador Bridge one step closer to reality. A final decision on whether to bui...

Costa Rica wins 7-month CAFTA deadline extension
	SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Costa Rica has won a seven-month extension from its U.S. and regional trading partners to pass laws required for its entry into the CAFTA free trade pact, President Oscar Arias said on Wednesday. See full article....

How do I setup an account with A & A?
	We require your full legal company name, identity, and information including all your owner and contact names within your company. To setup and clear shipments through the border, we require written authorization in a legal form with our "Power of Attorney Forms" which allows us to act on your behalf with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) (oft...

EU hopes to persuade US to relent on 100pc box scanning law
	EU OFFICIALS are drafting a document to persuade the United States to relent on its law that that all US-bound containers be scanned for radiation by 2012. See full article....

What are A & A 's office hours?
	We can arrange for clearances anywhere in Canada or the U.S. If shipments are expected to arrive out of the "core" hours, it is best to call us first. We may be reached anytime by calling our Head Office at Pacific Highway at 1-800-663-4270. Pacific Highway, Surrey, BC office is open 24 hours / 7 days a week.

What services does A & A offer?
	A & A Contract Customs Brokers offers Canadian & U.S. Brokerage, Freight Forwarding, Warehousing & Distribution Services, Customs Consulting, Compliance Reviews, Permits, and Barcode Services. Please visit our website, www.aacb.com, for more information....

February 2008 A & A Newsletter

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

February 2008 A & A Newsletter

WTO rules against China for first time
	GENEVA - The World Trade Organization on Wednesday issued its first official condemnation of Chinese commercial practices, siding with the United States, the European Union and Canada in a dispute over car parts. See full article....

The Government of Canada proposes amendments to the Customs Act to strengthen border security
	Ottawa, Ontario, February 15, 2008 - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today took another step to enhance Canada's border security and prosperity by introducing amendments to the Customs Act in the House of Commons.
WE CAN HELP YOU MOVE FORWARD!
	We appreciate the complexities involved in moving freight around the world and offer tailor-made solutions for any of your logistic requirements....

AIR FREIGHT SERVICES
	At A & A, we coordinate air shipments coming into or leaving North America and we understand the urgency of getting your goods to their destination on time. We monitor all shipments to ensure that they move along as scheduled, so that there is no need for you to have to trace them or have to wonder about their status. If there happens to be a pr...

WE MAKE OCEAN CONTAINER SHIPPING EASY
	We offer complete import and export ocean container shipping services, and we have built relationships with many overseas agents, enabling us to handle all types of ocean freight. We provide full container moves or partial shipments in and out of Canada. Also, if you need to move oversized or fragile goods, or goods that need to be temperature cont...

Border Security Overview
	U.S. Customs and Border Protection is America’s largest uniformed law enforcement organization and is dedicated to providing homeland security by securing our borders. Specifically, CBP prevents terrorists and their weapons from entering our shores while enforcing hundreds of U.S. trade and immigration laws.

January 2008 A & A Newsletter

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

January 2008 A & A Newsletter

Japan hits back at U.S. at WTO in anti-dumping case
	GENEVA - Japan is seeking permission from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to retaliate against the United States over a controversial U.S. method for dealing with unfairly priced imports, a WTO document showed on Friday. See full article....

WTO raps some U.S. anti-dumping measures
	GENEVA - A World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel ruled on Thursday against some U.S. anti-dumping measures to combat imports of Mexican stainless steel, in another rebuff for a controversial U.S. trade remedy. See full article....

A & A Appears on The New Driver's Seat TV Show
	The New Driver's Seat TV show is featuring Pat Marshall of A & A Contract Customs Brokers on Car Importation. Air times is as follows: CHUM A Channel BC - Sunday, January 27^th at 1:30 PM

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Minister Day welcomes decision to delay passport requirements for land and sea travel under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
	The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, issued the following statement in response to the decision by the United States to delay until June 1, 2009, at the earliest, implementation of passport requirements for travel by land and sea under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The 18-month delay of the passport requiremen...

December 2007 A & A Newsletter

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

December 2007 A & A Newsletter

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Analysis of Free Trade Agreements and Congressional and Private Sector Consultations under Trade Promotion Authority
	The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is known as "the investigative arm of Congress" and "the congressional watchdog." GAO supports the Congress in meeting its constitutional responsibilities and helps improve the performance and ensure the accountability of the federal government for the benefit of the American people. GAO's work includ...

High-Security Driver’s Licenses Allow Canadians Easy Access into the States
	At the beginning of 2008, high security driver’s licenses will be allowed as a form of identification that will allow Canadians easy access into the United States. This is seen by many as a way of balancing border security with convenience and cost. See f...

US, China say must work together
	BEIJING - The United States and China, with increasingly dependent economies, have to work together to fight protectionist sentiment in both countries, officials from the countries said Monday. See full article....

November 2007 A & A Newsletter

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800

November 2007 A & A Newsletter

Security and prosperity? No thanks, business tells U.S. Commerce Secretary
	WASHINGTON -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez seemed almost embarrassed as he paused during a speech last week to set the record straight about his country's Security and Prosperity Partnership with Canada and Mexico. See full article....

Cargo Scanning Program Sparks International Debate Over U.S. Homeland Security Policy
	The recent implementation of a long-awaited U.S. homeland security program has reinvigorated debate over the international consequences of controversial cargo security legislation passed earlier this summer. See full article....

Developing nations divided over next steps for WTO
	GENEVA (Reuters) - Developing countries are deeply divided about how to advance troubled talks over a new global trade deal, and few ministers will attend a meeting this week meant to show their unity, diplomats said on Monday. See full article....

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	WE ARE CURRENTLY UPDATING OUR SUBSCRIBERS LIST. PLEASE CLICK HERE IF YOU WISH TO CONTINUE RECEIVING OUR NEWSLETTER IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. ...

October 2007 A & A Newsletter

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0800

October 2007 A & A Newsletter

Canada-U.S. Trade Works
	October 4th marks an important date in Canada-U.S. trade relations. Twenty years ago, the two countries concluded the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Sixteen months of intense negotiations led to this ground-breaking trade deal, a milestone in Canada’s international relations. The historic agreement placed Canada at the forefront o...

Nations must move now to save WTO round: U.S.
	BRUSSELS - A long-delayed global free trade deal can still be done but countries such as Japan, Brazil and China must show flexibility or risk being blamed for failure, the top U.S. negotiator said on Thursday. "A successful agreement in the Doha round is within reach," Trade Representative Susan Schwab wrote in a comment piece published in the Fin...

Imagine Business Without Borders
	Shipping or Exporting to the United States? A & A Contract Customs Brokers USA Inc. has developed solutions to allow U.S. Importers and Canadian Exporters to effectively manage and grow their cross-border business. Let us tell you how! U.S. Customs Brokerage - As a licensed, full service U.S. Customs Broker, we can cle...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative Milestone with 58 Operational Ports
	Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that it has reached its fiscal year 2007 goal of initiating Container Security Initiative operations at 58 oversees ports to target and pre-screen maritime cargo containers destined for U.S. ports. CSI addresses the threat to border security and global trade posed by the potential ...

September 2007 A & A Newsletter

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0800

September 2007 A & A Newsletter

A & A Celebrated National Driver Appreciation Week
	From September 9 – September 15, 2007, A & A Contract Customs Brokers was excited to support Canada’s National Trucking Week. National Trucking week is an annual time set aside by the Canadian Trucking Alliance in conjunction with the provincial trucking associations. The week long annual event spotlighted the truck transportation sector and the ...

Canada preparing ports for NAFTA Superhighway
	Building 'free trade gateway' between Asia, North America Canada is developing Pacific ports to compete with the U.S. ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as with the Mexican ports of Manzanillo and Lazaro Cardenas, in an attempt to draw a substantial market share of the millions of containers expected to flow into North Amer...

U.S. to Rethink Dropping Plans to Pre-Clear Cargo at Border
	A top U.S. executive who met Tuesday with North American leaders says the Homeland Security Department will rethink its rejection of a measure to pre-clear cargo at the border. Ron Covais, U.S. co-chairman of a tri-lateral advisory group, said officials committed to have another look at the decision to drop plans to put U.S. custom...

Dealing With China Sourcing on a Global Level
	While global sourcing has been a more and more popular way of cutting costs in International Trade, some corporations aren’t that successful simply because they have no idea how to deal with individuals from other countries. Westerners could sometimes face difficulties and they don’t seem to realize that business is not carried out the same way in ...

August 2007 A & A Newsletter

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0800

August 2007 A & A Newsletter

Canada’s Top Exports & Imports, Most Popular Products in Trade Between Canada & America
	Sugar, zinc & precious metals are fastest growing Canadian exports to the U.S. while copper, gold & nuclear fuels are fast-growing imports into Canada from America. Canada exported US$303.4 billion worth of merchandise to the United States in 2006, up 4.5% from 2005 and up 45% in just 4 years. Canadian imports fr...

Trade Enforcement Act of 2007 Introduced in Congress
	Earlier this week Senators Max Baucus (D-MT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Trade Enforcement Act of 2007, legislation intended to "significantly bolster the U.S. government’s trade enforcement abilities." While the full text of the legislation has not been released, the
Freight Forwarding Services
	WANT ADVANTAGES? Did you know there’s a huge advantage to having A & A manage your company’s freight transportation as well as your customs brokerage? The biggest advantage is communication! By using one company instead of two it can cut the process in half and make it fast and efficient. Whether you are shipping an...

World Shipping Council details problems with 100% screening
	The world’s major ocean carriers issued a statement Monday detailing problems presented by H.R.1, the bill requiring 100 percent screening of container cargo. The bill, which President Bush has indicated he will sign into law, was "opposed by virtually all elements of the global trading system," said the World Shipping Council, whose member liner s...

July 2007 A & A Newsletter

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0800

July 2007 A & A Newsletter

Vehicle Importation
	THE SECRET IS OUT! And Canadians across the country are learning that they can possibly save thousands of dollars on their next vehicle purchase if they purchase it from the U.S. and import it to Canada. New, or used, just find the car of your dreams and have A & A get the car across the border and delivered right to your front door.

Useful Sites
	Please note: Certain vehicles may not be allowed into Canada. Ensure you review the list of permitted vehicles before you purchase. Registrar of Imported Vehicles www.riv.ca. eBay Motors ebaym...

Trade Deals May Become Socially Responsible
	The government has polled the business community on including corporate social responsibility in free trade talks, but one expert says there are better ways to ensure accountability. As the government prepares to launch free trade talks with a host of developing countries, it is quietly weighing private sector attitudes on i...

Trade Winds Forum Explores Export Opportunities in Africa, Europe, and India
	Representatives from nearly 300 U.S. companies learned about some of the latest trade opportunities in Africa, Europe, and India at a conference organized by the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS). Called the Trade Winds Forum, the conference was held in Crystal City, Virginia, on May 16–17, 2007. The event was one of the largest USFCS tra...

APEC trade ministers support WTO talks but eye regional fallback
	APEC trade ministers pledged strong support for global trade talks but revealed they were also examining the possibility of an Asia-Pacific free trade area, in a communique issued Friday. Trade ministers from 21 APEC economies, collectively representing almost 50 percent of world trade, said there was an urgent need to advance the World Trade O...

June 2007 A & A Newsletter

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0800

June 2007 A & A Newsletter

eBay Motors
	In just a few years, online auction company eBay went from a little dot.com company to one of the biggest business stories in America. In September of 1998, 8 percent of the items on eBay were Beanie Babies. Within two years, the number of eBay users would more than double to more than 125 ...

Thinking of Buying a Car on eBay?
	Before you import your car from the United States, our ebaymotors.aacb.com website will show you the steps involved. The guidelines on our website will help you through the process of admissibility check, cost estimate, and getting started.
Lamy asks G8 for “added political effort” to spur Doha agreement
	Director-General Pascal Lamy, in a speech to the G8 Summit at Heiligendamm, Germany on 8 June 2007, said an interim Doha agreement is now “within reach”, and urged the G8 leaders “not to let this opportunity slip through your fingers”. He said “what better way to fulfil the numerous commitments that the G8 has made in favour of t...

U.S. Proposes Strengthened Subsidy Rules to World Trade Organization
	WASHINGTON DC- The United States today submitted a paper to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiating Group on Rules proposing that certain particularly trade-distorting subsidies be prohibited. These negotiations are occurring within the framework of the Doha Development Agenda. “It’s time to...

Post 9-11 Border Security Has Little Impact on Trade, but Costs More
	Canadian companies are bearing the brunt of stricter border security measures that have been put in place following 9-11, a new study shows. The Conference Board of Canada found that surprisingly, the new security policies have not decreased trade volumes between Canada and the United States despi...

May 2007 A & A Newsletter - May 2007

Tue, 15 May 2007 00:00:00 -0800

May 2007 A & A Newsletter - May 2007

A & A Customer Care
	Searching for the trade information you require can sometimes be challenging. A & A Contract Customs Brokers Ltd. has implemented a great resource knowledgebase to help you find your answers quickly. You can search previously submitted questions, ask your own questions and maintain a database of your personal questions and answers so you always hav...

Review of the 15-Year Exclusion for Imported Vehicles
	Considerations Prompting the Review of the Age Threshold for Exclusion from CMVSS. The Provincial and Territorial authorities requested, via the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) that Transport Canada review the age limit exclusion on the prescribed classes of vehicles that could be imported without complying wit...

Census to put pressure on exporters for accurate SEDs
	The U.S. Census Bureau is designing an informed compliance audit program to help educate shippers on how to accurately file electronic export documents, but is prepared to point out gross violators to Customs and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security so they can act as surrogate enforcement agencies. Operating under ...

Let Us Know How We Are Doing!!
	Let us know how A & A assists you and your business. We want to hear how you or your company uses the services of A & A or how A & A assists you in your business. All submissions will receive a small gift as our thanks for taking the time to let us hear about you. Submit your response to: ...

G8 to address piracy and Customs
	Next month's G8 summit meeting in Heiligendamm, Germany will discuss new measures to tackle counterfeiting, and in particular how to strengthen border control. "It's a huge priority for us. There's a great benefit in strengthening these efforts," Chris Israel, coordinator for international IP enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce, told the...