Silver Spring, MD, Sept. 22, 2023 – Taking no chances with what appears to be a likely federal government shutdown starting Oct. 1, National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) is leading an effort among 40 other trade associations to develop a comprehensive strategy with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) to ensure that legitimate trade is permitted to efficiently enter and exit our nation’s ports during a shutdown.  Specifically, the trade community requests:   Private sector access to the CBP “War Room.” PGA Presence in the CBP “War Room.” CBP HQ, Ports,…

An agreement anticipated to bring stability to supply chains through West Coast ports for the foreseeable future was tentatively reached last week.  The agreement results in a sizeable pay increase and bonus structure for port workers on the West Coast.  The agreement results in an estimated increase in Dockworker pay of approx. 32% through 2028 and an estimated one-time bonus of approx. $70 million dollars in recognition of efforts and sacrifices made during the pandemic which is referred to as a “hero” bonus. While the six-year agreement must be ratified by employers and dockworkers, includes improvements in benefits and other…

Mardi Gras Holiday  Schedules & Office Closures  J. W. Allen & Company Office Schedule  Monday, February 20 (Lundi Gras) - Office Closing at 1:00 p.m.  Tuesday, February 21 (Mardi Gras Day) - Office Closed  Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday February 22 at 8:30 a.m.  If you require immediate assistance during our absence, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here. Ports America Terminal Schedule  Monday, February 20 - 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon)  Tuesday, February 21 - Gate & Terminal Closed  Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday morning February 22 at 8:30…

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) which was signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2021, officially takes effect today June 21, 2022.    The Act establishes a rebuttable presumption that the importation of any goods, wares, articles, and merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China, or produced by certain entities, is prohibited by Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and that such goods, wares, articles, and merchandise are not entitled to entry to the United States. The presumption applies unless…

Schedules & Office Closures J. W. Allen & Company Office Schedule Monday, February 28 (Lundi Gras) - Office Closing at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 01 (Mardi Gras Day) - Office Closed Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday morning, March 02 at 8:30 a.m. If you require immediate assistance during our absence, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here. Ports America Terminal Schedule Monday, February 28 - 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Tuesday, March 01 - Gate & Terminal Closed Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday, March 02 New Orleans Terminal Schedule Monday,…

November 26 - Thanksgiving Holiday (Office Closed) November 27 - Black Friday (Shopping Holiday ~ Office Closed) If you require immediate assistance during our absence, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here.. With sincere appreciation we would like to take the opportunity to say "Thank You for your support, trust and the faith you have placed in us." From our families to yours, Happy Thanksgiving and Best Wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season The J.W. Allen Family

J.W. Allen & Company Operations Update Hurricane Zeta The state of Louisiana and the New Orleans metro area is anticipating adverse impacts from Hurricane Zeta starting Wednesday October 28th, continuing through the evening hours based on Zeta’s current projected track. Hurricane Zeta has grown in strength overnight and is now a Category 1 hurricane with additional strengthening expected to a Category 2 storm prior to landfall anticipated. Zeta is a fast moving storm and is expected to be out of the area Wednesday evening / early Thursday morning. Landfall is expected on Wednesday afternoon at about 1:00 pm central time…

On August 8th, 88 years ago in 1932, J.W. Allen & Company was established in New Orleans, Louisiana with the purpose to serve and assist the growing needs of the transportation industry. "No shipment too big. No shipment too small. The customer is always right!" was the mantra of our founder, Joseph Webster Allen, then, and the spoken values remain true today. We would like to use this opportunity to say a big “thank you!” to all of our valued clients, vendors, and employees for your trust and contributions that have ultimately paved a successful path for our company over…

Our office will be closed on Monday May 25th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Our office will reopen Tuesday morning May 26th at 8:30 a.m. If you require urgent assistance during our absence please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here. To our fallen soldiers, may their bravery, selflessness, and heroism be fondly remembered and honored forever. The J.W. Allen Family "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and…

Our office will be closed on Friday April 10 (Good Friday) in observance of the Easter holiday. Our office will re-open on Monday morning April 13 at 8:30 a.m. central time resuming normal business operations. If you require assistance during our closure, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here.

FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from emerging infectious diseases, such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. FDA is committed to providing timely guidance to support continuity and response efforts to this pandemic. As part of these efforts, FDA published three guidance’s to help meet the increased demand for hand sanitizers during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, entities that are not currently registered drug manufacturers can register as over-the-counter (OTC) drug manufacturers and make alcohol-based hand sanitizers, pharmacies and registered outsourcing facilities can compound certain alcohol-based…

Scheduled to be published in the April 10, 2020 edition of the Federal Register, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced they will be issuing a temporary rule to allocate certain scarce or threatened materials for domestic use, so that these materials may not be exported from the United States without explicit approval by FEMA. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and FEMA issued a joint statement today discussing the need to block certain items from export. "On Friday, April 3, President Trump issued a "Memorandum on Allocating Certain Scarce or Threatened Health and Medical Resources to Domestic Use" directing…

With the impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak being felt globally, we wanted to update you on the actions JW Allen & Co., Inc is taking to ensure business continuity.  We are committed to the health and safety of our employees while continuing to offer the highest level of service to our customers.  Helping our customers maintain a minimally disrupted supply chain through this dynamic global situation is our highest priority.   J.W. Allen & Co., Inc. continues to closely monitor and adhere to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as federal, state and local health authorities.  We encourage  all our…

Schedules & Office Closures J. W. Allen & Company Office Schedule Monday, February 24 (Lundi Gras) - Office Closing at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 25 (Mardi Gras Day) - Office Closed Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday morning, February 26th. If you require immediate assistance during our absence, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here. Ports America Terminal Schedule Monday, February 24 - 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Tuesday, February 25 - Gate & Terminal Closed Normal Hours of Operation will resume on Wednesday, February 26th New Orleans Terminal Schedule Monday, February 24…

To Our Valued Clients, Vendors and Friends,   Thank You for your business and your continued working relationship with J.W. Allen & Company.  We truly value and appreciate your support.  We wouldn’t be here without you!   We would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a change in our business address.  That’s right folks,   J.W. Allen & Company is Moving!   Effective Thursday, November 21, 2019, our new location will be as follows:   J.W. Allen & Company, Inc. 1000 Riverbend Drive, Suite L St. Rose, LA 70087   Please update your records with our new…

President Trump has announced that beginning Sept. 1 he will impose a 10 percent additional tariff on virtually all of the remaining $300 billion worth of goods imported from China that are not already subject to Section 301 tariffs (List 4 goods). Initial indications are that the 10 percent tariff, which would be in addition to any other applicable tariffs, will be applied on the entire list of 3,805 full and partial subheadings announced in May. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said at that time that this list covers all apparel, footwear, and manufactured textile products, among others,…

It’s looking like we’re going to be expecting a monsoon on Friday July 12th due to Tropical Storm Barry; as a result, the J.W. Allen & Company office will be closed. All shipments have been processed as far forward as possible in the clearance process, and our staff will be working remotely monitoring communications to ensure all service needs are met! For assistance during our office closure, please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking Here. We appreciate your support and cooperation as we take these steps to ensure the safety of the J.W. Allen & Company family.…

Proclamation to Modify the List of Beneficiary Developing Countries Under the Trade Act of 1974 Issued on: May 31, 2019 1. In Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, the President designated India as a beneficiary developing country for purposes of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.). 2. Pursuant to section 502(d)(1) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the "1974 Act") (19 U.S.C. 2462(d)(1)), the President may withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of the duty-free treatment accorded under the GSP with respect to any beneficiary developing country. In taking any action under…

As we recognize the Memorial Day holiday, we do so with in remembrance of the brave men and women whose sacrifices fuel our freedom. Our office will be closed on Monday May 27th in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Our office will reopen Tuesday morning May 28th at 8:30 a.m. If you require urgent assistance during our absence please visit our website for emergency contact information by clicking here .   "Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem." – Ronald Reagan…

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a modification to the current Section 301 investigation that looks to add additional 25 percent tariff duties to approximately $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. According to the proposed modification, this new list comprises 3,805 full and partial tariff subheadings and "covers essentially all products not currently covered by action in this investigation." The proposed product list excludes pharmaceuticals, certain pharmaceutical inputs, select medical goods, rare earth materials, and critical minerals. USTR will convene a public hearing on June 17 to discuss this proposed modification. All written comments and…

UPDATE: CHINA 301 LIST 3 TARIFF INCREASE TIED TO DATE OF EXPORT; EXCLUSION PROCESS TO BE ISSUED On May 8, 2019, the U.S. Trade Representative ("USTR") issued a Notice confirming that Chinese-origin merchandise listed on Section 301, Tranche 3, will be subject to an increased additional tariff rate of 25% ad valorem. Importantly, the change will take effect with respect to goods:   entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time on May 10, 2019, and exported to the U.S. on or after May 10, 2019. Those goods have been subject…

In the face of massive uncertainty on the status of the US/China trade negotiations, importers should be aware that the duty rate for List 3 products could go from 10% to 25%, as early as 12:01 AM Friday. Also, a "List 4" may be announced covering the remaining products from China not yet addressed in Lists 1 – 3. A "List 4" process would be similar to the notice and comment process for Lists 1-3. The options available to minimize the List 3 impact would be: 1) pre-clear inbound goods that will arrive by Thursday night (goods must be within…

NCBFAA Centurion's (L to R): Mr. Billy App, Ms. Mary Ann Comstock - 2015 Recipient, & Mr. Harold Brauner - 2011 Recipient During its April Conference in San Antonio, Texas, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc., (NCBFAA) honored former NCBFAA Officer and longtime Association supporter, William 'Billy' App, with the NCBFAA Centurion Award. This award recognizes the recipient's outstanding vision, leadership and dedication demonstrated during their affiliation with the NCBFAA on behalf of the international transportation logistics community. Mr. App epitomizes the very spirit of this award, which NCBFAA Past President and Senior Counselor Federico Zuniga…

As a result of dry conditions affecting the projected levels of Gatun Lake, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has announced that, effective April 30, 2019, the Maximum Authorized Draft for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks will be 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW). This is the fifth time this year the canal's administrators have had to impose ever stricter draft limits amid an unprecedented drought. Depending on the actual levels of Gatun Lake at the time, vessels arriving after April 30 with drafts over 13.41 meters (44.0 feet) TFW may be allowed to transit or may be required…

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, included as Title I of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021) providing for investment in harbor, waterway, flood protection and other water infrastructure improvements throughout the country, was signed into law Tuesday October 23, 2018. The President’s signature ensures a wide variety of port, harbor and waterway projects critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and U.S. global competitiveness will move forward. WRDA 2018 authorizes at least $9 billion for Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and Environmental Protection Agency drinking-water and sewer-overflow control programs. The bipartisan leaders of the Transportation…