Reminder: FTZ Annual Reports 

are due on March 31, please contact WTDC if you require assistance filing 

C-TPAT Approved

Last week WTDC successfully passed its C-TPAT Validation. We are proud of the warehousing and transportation procedures that we have implemented as a company and look forward to working with our partners in providing a secure supply chain.

U.S.-Cuba Relations Update:

First legal import from Cuba in 50 years arrives at Port Everglades

It was a busy week in South Florida regarding shipments to and from Cuba. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the first legal shipment from Cuba in 50 years arrived in Port Everglades. The import was of artisanal charcoal made from Cuban Marabú, an invasive species to the island. The charcoal is produced by private farmers as part of a cooperative and falls under the legal parameters established by the Obama administration.

Miami Herald:  Charcoal — first legal cargo from Cuba in more than 50 years — arrives at Port Everglades

U.S.-Cuba Relations Update: Florida governor threatens to withhold state funding for ports that engage with Cuba

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, only a day after the first Cuban export hit Florida and the day before Port Everglades officials were scheduled to sign an MOU with Cuban port officials, Florida Governor Rick Scott expressed his displeasure with Florida ports engaging with Cuban officials. Gov. Scott threatened to withhold state funding to Florida ports that entered agreements with Cuba. As a result of Gov. Scott’s comments, both Port Everglades and Port of Palm Beach canceled plans on Thursday and Friday, respectively, to sign agreements with Cuban port officials that had traveled to ink the deals.

Miami CBS4: Port Everglades Calls Off Pact With Cuba After Governor’s Threat

Miami Herald: Cuban delegation arrives amid threats by Gov. Scott to cut funding to ports that sign pacts

Miami Herald: Gov. Scott doesn’t want Florida’s ports making deals with Cuba

Miami Dade College presents speaker panel ‘Realities of Doing Business in Cuba’

John Paul Brigneti attended and gave a brief introduction to his company’s recent approval by BIS to ship agricultural products to Cuba’s Port Mariel to service the cruise ship industry. You can read more about that project here. WTDC assisted Savino Del Bene-Miami with its recent approval to become a Foreign Trade Zone.

Dr. Sandra Torres, Assistant Professor, Miami-Dade College School of Business, was the moderator. Dr. Torres is the administrator of an MDC Internship Program. If your company is interested in having an Intern from Miami Dade College, please click here so we can make the connection. Ralph L. Gazitua, WTDC Chairman

-Alex Cuello, Probate Attorney,
-Dr. Sandra Torres, Assistant Professor, Miami-Dade College School of Business

-John Price, Managing Director of Americas Market Intelligence, LLC,
-Juan Flores, Chairperson MDC School of Business Hialeah
-Ralph L. Gazitua, Chairman, WTDC
-John Paul Brigneti, VP Global Logistics Cruise & Marine Solutions, Savino Del Bene – Miami

Miami International Boat Show returns to Miami Marine Stadium

The annual Miami International Boat Show kicks off Feb. 16 and continues to Feb. 20. WTDC handles container and flat-rack loading, export documents, warehousing, packing and crating, customs clearance, and more for boats and personal watercraft. Contact WTDC for your next export of boats or marine supplies.

WTDC loading a sailboat into a container for export.