National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of Ameri
As the Voice of the Transportation Logistics Industry, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. NCBFAA represents the interests of nearly 900 member companies with 100,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters.
The NCBFAA traces its roots back to 1897 when the Customs Clerks Association of the Port of New York was incorporated. Customs brokers and clerks in the U.S. Customs Service of the Port of New York were eligible for membership. In 1922, the New York Customs Brokers Association succeeded the previous organization and a decade later it was incorporated. In 1945, New York Customs Brokers Association, Inc. amended its bylaws to include all licensed Customs brokers in the United States.
Throughout the 1940s, the value of freight forwarding emerged as transporting products to their ultimate destination became as important as getting those products cleared through Customs.
On January 2, 1948, the Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc., (CBMA) was incorporated to succeed the previous New York Customs Brokers Association. Changes in the bylaws made forwarders eligible as regular members on a national basis, and as associate members on an international basis.
Through the 1950s the organization’s vision evolved into a national one and, on June 6, 1962, the Association became the NCBFAA to better reflect a new and wider scope. Restructured dues funded a national staff: Border areas and region designations with appropriate representation found new members to shoulder the industry’s increasing business concerns. Membership was open to international air cargo agents in the United States (CNS/IATA) and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs).
With its expanded base, the NCBFAA has work diligently over the years on behalf of the transportation logistics community. This is but a short list of some of the many ongoing actions and campaigns the Association has undertaken to ensure that our businesses continue to profit.
•Engages in efforts to mitigate the impact of the Lacey Act Amendments to protect old growth forests by requiring a new paper import declaration containing precise sourcing information, and updates members on developments.
•Modernized and updated our Terms and Conditions of Service to prepare for the AES and 10+2 regulations.
•Represents the trade at the annual Customs and Trade Symposium along with the CBP Assistant Commissioners and Representatives.
•Successfully opposed DHS’ Global Trade Exchange (GTX) to warehouse trade data for public and private uses at the expense of your proprietary data.
•Persuaded the FDA not to close seven of its 13 labs to consolidate efforts and improve efficiency following NCBFAA Congressional lobbying.
•Actively involved in ongoing conversations regarding the Customs Reauthorization Bill before Congress, which includes drawback provisions, triennial fee changes and controversial 1641 amendments.
•Has substantially influenced discussions regarding the need and form of any amendment to 1641 related to customs broker license suspension or revocation.
•Participates in ongoing discussions and strategy sessions regarding the development and implementation of ACE and other CBP automation issues.
•Provides members with legal opinions on, among other topics, powers of attorney, terms & conditions, first sale reporting and other national or common industry issues as well as regulatory agency rule changes.
•Regularly meets with CBP Headquarters regarding guidelines and standards for a broker self-assessment program to recognize, formalize and reward customs broker efforts to achieve and maintain high levels of compliance.
•Conducts NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI) programs geared to enhancing the professionalism of participants in both import and export through credentialing and continuing education offerings.
•Engages as an ongoing liaison between TSA and our IAC members in regards to the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CSSP).
•Worked to insure the renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
•Initiated efforts that eviscerated a CPSC legislative provision that would have stripped customs brokers of their licenses for importations that violate CPSC rules.
•Testifies to Congress on topics such as, air cargo security, export compliance, anti-trust immunity, rate tariff exemption, etc.
•Sought exemption for NVOCCs from publishing rate tariffs, filed petitions, helped members draft comments, met with other interest groups, and lobbied for Congressional support.
•Works through its Joint Ocean Carriers Best Practices Committee’s to improve efforts at meeting the challenges faced by importers, customs brokers and carriers.
•Operates an Affiliated Presidents’ Network that facilitates the sharing of information, communication and common issues among local associations of customs brokers and OTIs, many of whom are also NCBFAA members.
· Convenes an Annual Conference open to all members and certain non-members that provides educational sessions geared to regulation, business practices, and legislative initiatives, among other issues.
· Conducts an annual Government Affairs Conference that puts advocacy of industry issues center stage in Washington, D.C.
This brief listing only touches on the many things done in service to the NCBFAA membership and, by extension, the logistics community; the Association’s activities involve every aspect of international trade whether it involves exporting or importing by air, sea or rail.
The NCBFAA will continue to monitor federal market interventions, protect against legislative overreach, provide a legal bulwark to business encroachments, offer insightful criticism of governmental action, and enhance business practices, among other things.
The Association invites those with an interest in advancing our industry to visit us at www.ncbfaa.org and consider involvement in the mission of the organization by becoming a member
