WTDC Newsletter: January 4, 2021

President’s Corner
We kick off the first Monday in 2021 with a bit of good news: today marks 6000 days at WTDC without a safety incident. We began tracking our safety record in 2004 when I was working in WTDC Operations, learning our business from the ground up. We are extremely proud of our safety record and regularly implement best practices to ensure it continues. I will skip the 2020 recap and jump right into my outlook for 2021. I feel that our company is ready for nearly any opportunity that 2021 may present. I am optimistic about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines and the return of cruising and airline passenger traffic. WTDC is committed to our Duty Free and Travel Retail clients as we await renewed consumer confidence in the travel sector. We’ve pivoted to be ready for new business from the renewable energy and medical equipment sectors. We are excited to grow WTDC Chile (more on that to come) as we build our transportation and customer service footprint with our Chilean logistics partner Empresas Perrot. WTDC Transportation and Customs Brokerage departments continue to grow alongside our FTZ inventory control clients. And our employees have bought in to our vision for navigating this new normal in 2021. We are grateful for their commitment. As always, I remain at your service. Wishing you health and prosperity in 2021. -Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Send an email to WTDC President & CEO Sean Gazitua
 
UK & EU reach Brexit trade deal
On December 30, United Kingdom lawmakers signed off on the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. The deal comes four years after the UK voted to leave the EU and retains the tariff free and quota free access to the EU that the UK was in jeopardy of losing if a deal was not in place on December 31, 2020. The trade deal will allow the UK to set its own labor and environmental standards with arbitration not based in the EU courts. The deal also reestablishes the UK’s rights over its fishing waters, raising its share from around half to two-thirds with the ability to establish annual negotiations with the EU and other countries. Bilateral trade between the UK and EU is worth more than 650 billion annually. Click the articles below for a in-depth review of industry sectors including automotive, chemicals, pharmaceutical, professional services, and trucking.
Financial Times: Brexit trade deal explained: the key parts of the landmark agreement
Bloomberg: Brexit Is a New World Businesses Still Need to Figure Out
PortMiami waives harbor and cruise berthing fees
“Miami-Dade County will continue to support our cruise line partners through these unprecedented times,” Ms. Levine Cava said in a statement. “As we await the safe return of cruising, we will maintain our commitment to our stakeholders who have shown great resilience during this crisis.” Miami-Dade County extended the PortMiami harbor and cruise berthing fee waivers until January 31, 2021, an extension of the waivers in place since March 13, 2020.
Miami Today: County extends fee waivers for PortMiami cruise ships
 
Miami International Airport extends relief for tenants
Miami-Dade Commissioners extended Miami International Airport’s tenant waiver for monthly rent and guaranteed payments until April 21, 2021. Since March 2020, MIA has waived over $8 million per month for the duty free shops, restaurants, car rental companies, and service businesses in the airport.
Miami Today: Miami International Airport may forgive tenants $107 million
 
WTDC donated over 120 pajamas to the children of His House
Thank you to our clients, tenants, and employees who helped us exceed our goal! Each year WTDC collects new pajamas for the children of His House Children’s Home, a non-profit faith-based organization committed to restoring the lives of children from newborn to 18 years of age.
WTDC Pajama drive for His House
 
TTB to allow 700 ml bottles
On December 29, the US Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published new standards for allowable sizes of wines and spirits containers. Among the sizes to be allowed for the first time is the 700 ml bottle, the EU standard for three decades. The closest US equivalent is the 750 ml bottle. The new TTB standards aim to “eliminate restrictions on competition and the movement of goods in domestic and international commerce.” In addition to 700 ml imports, the rule also allows US distillers to bottle at 700 ml for international and domestic sale.
TTB: Addition of New Standards of Fill for Wine and Distilled Spirits
Whisky Cast: U.S. To Allow 700ml Whisky Bottles For First Time