CBP Modernizes Custom Broker Regulations

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WTDC Newsletter – November 2, 2022

      • CBP modernizes Custom Broker regulations
      • Virgin Voyages adds 2nd ship in Miami
      • Pajama Drive for His House Children’s Home,
      • FIU Religious Studies
      • Breast Cancer awareness
      • Halloween photos

President’s Corner
Can you believe it’s November already? Our employees are preparing for annual inventories and processing peak-season orders. Holiday gift baskets are ordered and our annual Pajama Drive and Thanksgiving Food Drive are in full swing. I welcome you to join us in our 8th Annual Pajama Drive for the children of His House. It is a great cause and the children are so appreciative of our annual donation. Additional details below.
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

CBP Publishes Modernized Customs Broker Regulations
On October 18, CBP announced changes in the CFR that will be effective December 19, 2022: “Modernization of the Customs Broker Regulations” and “Elimination of Customs Broker District Permit Fee.”

The Final Rules include the acceptance of electronic forms of payment as well as an increase to license application fees. The new national framework eliminates district permits and the associated fees. Licensed customs brokers will be transitioned into the new national framework by CBP if they were operating with only a district permit and those already with a national permit will not be affected.

CBP’s Office of Trade Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie R. Highsmith: “Customs brokers are an integral part of the U.S. and international trade communities. CBP collaborated with the trade community on key recommendations, including a single, national permit for brokers and enhanced electronic processing capabilities, which have been addressed in the modernized customs broker regulations,” Highsmith said. “The updated regulations highlight CBP’s efforts to provide customs brokers with the tools they need to effectively operate in the current business environment while preserving robust U.S. trade operations.”

Article: CBP Publishes Modernized Customs Broker Regulations

Pajama Drive for His House
Join WTDC in donating new pajamas for the children of His House Children’s Home in our 8th Annual Pajama Drive. Donations can be dropped off or addressed to WTDC. Thank you for your years of support!

FIU Religious Studies
On Thursday, October 27th, Sean Gazitua spoke to an FIU Religious Studies course about his responsibilities as President and CEO as well as measures WTDC has in place as an ethical and responsible employer. The course entitled “Thou Shalt Not Steal: Wage Theft and Moral Thought” is led by Professor Jeanette Smith. WTDC is working with the FIU Religious Studies program as an extension of its Spirituality in the Workplace committee.

Breast Cancer Awareness
WTDC staff wore pink on October 21st in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Educating women on the impact of breast cancer is a goal each October. Being proactive with exams and detection can save lives. We wish you and your families good health!

Meet our Interns for Fall 2022
Welcome to WTDC’s Interns for the Fall 2022 semester!

Fernando Menendez, pictured right, is currently a student at Florida International University and is an Intern for WTDC’s Operations and Customer Service department. He is pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Finance and is on pace to graduate by 2025.

Leilani Shirvis, pictured left, is a Florida International University student and is an Intern for WTDC’s Sales and Marketing department. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, double majoring in International Business and Marketing. She graduates December 2023.

Happy Halloween from WTDC
On Monday, October 31st, WTDC celebrated Halloween with a Wild Wild West theme. The annual tradition featured a lunch catered by Shorty’s BBQ and a costume contest. Congratulations to WTDC Transportation Manager Castell Chavez and her daughter Sofia for taking the award for best dressed as a ‘bank robber and bag of money’. The western theme was a big hit!

Virgin Voyages adds second ship to PortMiami fleet
Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady arrived at its new winter home in PortMiami at the end of October. This second ship from Virgin will sail regularly around the Caribbean this fall and winter before returning to the Mediterranean in spring.

Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, was present during the ships welcoming to PortMiami. Valiant Lady departed for Bimini on October 30th for it’s ‘Mermaiden Voyage’, where it will try to set a Guinness World Record for “most mermaids in one place”.

 

More cargo records set at PortMiami, Carnival breaks ground on new terminal

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WTDC Newsletter – February 2, 2021

  • President’s Corner – 7 Interns from 6 countries
  • PortMiami reports record cargo movement in November 2020
  • Carnival breaks ground on new PortMiami terminal
  • Solar industry responds to Biden environmental initiatives

President’s Corner  
What do FIU students from Bangladesh, Brazil, Honduras, India, Russia and the United States have in common? Besides their participation in FIU’s International Business Honors Society (IBHS) they now have Spring internships at WTDC.
Like many students in these unusual times, the majority of their classes are now online. We held interviews last fall via Zoom when their classes were fully remote and some students had moved back to their home countries. We didn’t foresee seven Interns working at WTDC this semester but we were so impressed during the interviews that we found projects for each of their talents.
As an FIU Alumni Association Board of Director member it’s inspiring to see the next generation of students overcome the unique obstacles posed by COVID-19. I couldn’t be more impressed with these student Interns and I look forward to sharing their projects with you! Wishing you continued health,
-Sean Gazitua, President & CEO  
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua  

PortMiami reports record cargo movement in November  
On January 26, PortMiami reported via Twitter that November 2020 was the busiest in the Port’s history with more than 100,000 container moves.   PortMiami Twitter  
Carnival breaks ground on new PortMiami terminal
On January 29, Carnival Cruise Line and PortMiami held a ground breaking for the expansion of Terminal F, the 417,000 square foot future home of the Carnival Celebration. Construction recently began on the Celebration which will be the largest cruise ship in Carnival’s fleet when it launches in 2022. “I’m grateful to Carnival Cruise Line and Lemartec for their partnership with Miami-Dade County,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Despite the global pandemic, today’s groundbreaking is another example of the growth happening at PortMiami – the cruise capital of the world – and how together, we can and we will continue to thrive.”

Cruise and Ferry: PortMiami and Carnival Cruise Line break ground on terminal

WTDC provides warehousing and transportation in Miami, Florida, for the cruise ship industry. Read more here

Solar industry responds to Biden environmental initiatives
 
On January 27, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) released an article responding to President Biden’s busy first week in office where he addressed a number of environmental issues.
“The president has outlined a clear and carefully thought-out vision for addressing the range of climate challenges we face, and I commend and thank him for taking swift action on many of those challenges during the first week of this administration,” said Abigail Ross Harper, President and CEO of SEIA.
“President Biden’s order addresses several solar industry priorities, including a boost to federal procurement of clean energy, and investments in manufacturing, transmission, and siting and permitting.
 
SEIA: Solar Industry Commends Biden’s Climate Executive Actions

WTDC is a logistics provider for the Renewable Energy and solar energy industries. Our dedicated staff can assist with international transportation, domestic transportation, transloads, and prepositioning inventory warehousing for just-in-time renewable energy project management. Read more here

WTDC News – July 2, 2020: USMCA, Caribbean reopens

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New WTDC website launch  
This week WTDC relaunched our website wtdc.com. We welcome you to visit! This faster platform will allow WTDC to publish informative content for new and future customers.   Visit the new WTDC.com  

  President Trump, Canadian President Trudeau, and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto sign the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement during a ceremony in Buenos Aires, on the margins of the G-20 Leaders' Summit on November 30, 2018. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha / Public Domain]

USMCA trade deal now in effect  
On July 1, 2020, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) went into effect. The deal was signed during the G-20 Leaders Summit in 2018 and replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement established in 1994. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, “The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will support mutually beneficial trade leading to freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America.” Key elements include: Intellectual Property Digital Trade De minimis Financial Services Environment Click the stories below for additional information.
USTR: USMCA Fact Sheet    

WTDC Internship Program  
Last week Andre Malha, a student at Palmer Trinity School, completed his summer internship at WTDC. The majority of Mr. Malha’s internship was completed remotely to comply with social distancing guidelines. We wish Mr. Malha continued success in his studies and on the soccer pitch!  
WTDC Internship Program  

 


Combating COVID-19  
Stay tuned to our social media next week as Sergio’s Restaurants announces their private-public partnership to distribute masks for Miami-Dade County hotels and restaurants. WTDC is donating warehousing and fulfillment services at no-cost for this initiative. Pictured above: Carlos Gazitua, CEO of Sergio’s Restaurants, and Sean P. Gazitua, President & CEO of WTDC.  
WTDC – Logistics for Medical Equipment & Supplies
Sergio’s Restaurants – Now delivering Cuban food nationwide      



Caribbean reopens for tourist travel – with restrictions  
Economies in the Caribbean are opening to tourist travel again and many destinations require COVID-19 testing prior to entry. Increased travel to the Caribbean will bring more passengers through South Florida airports leading to more traffic in the duty free stores, welcomed traffic for many of WTDC’s customers. As South Florida is a major hub for cargo and supplies to the Caribbean, more travelers should also have a positive impact on the cargo levels at South Florida ports. In the Bahamas, a negative COVID-19 test taken within 10 days of entry is required of all tourists or they can take one upon arrival. Aruba also requires testing and opened to Canadian, European, and Caribbean tourists on July 1 – but Americans will have to wait until July 10.
Below is a look at some of some of the tourism reopening dates:
o   USVI June 1
o   Antigua June 1
o   St. Lucia June 1
o   Jamaica June 15
o   Mexico Cancun area on June 15 o   Bahamas July 1
o   Aruba July 1
o   Dominican Republic July 1
o   Puerto Rico July 15    
NYT: 5 Caribbean Vacation Destinations Reopening this Summer