Attention Importers:

As the new year is rapidly approaching, we would like to inform you that the Certificate of Origin for all of your active exporters must be renewed. This certificate is used to determine if goods imported into the country receive reduced or eliminated duties as specified by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).The Customs law requires that an importer claiming preferential tariff treatment for imported goods have a valid certificate of origin in their possession at the time the declaration is made.

Be advised the importer is ultimately responsible for having a fully completed and valid NAFTA certificate on file for any goods claiming the duty free rate. Exporters, producers or manufacturers are responsible for determining qualification under NAFTA and completing an accurate certificate.

Below we have provided a link to a blank copy of the Certificate of Origin for your completion.

Thank you,

CBP Link:  https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2016-Nov/CBP%20Form%20434.pdf

NOGALES PORT OF ENTRY:
12/24/16 (Christmas Eve)- Northbound truck gate will be open from 8am – 3pm
12/25/16 (Christmas Day)- CLOSED
12/31/16 (New Years Eve)- Northbound truck gate will be open from 8am -3pm
01/01/17 (New Years Day)- CLOSED

SAN DIEGO PORT OF ENTRY:
12/24/16 (Christmas Eve)- Normal business hours of operation
12/25/16 (Christmas Day)- CLOSED
12/26/16 -Fast Lane & perishable commodities only 8am – 2pm
12/31/16 (New Years Eve)-  Normal business hours of operation
01/01/17 (New Years Day)- CLOSED

MCALLEN PORT OF ENTRY:
12/24/16 (Christmas Eve)- Normal business hours of operation
12/25/16 (Christmas Day)- CLOSED
12/31/16 (New Years Eve)- Normal business hours of operation
01/01/17 (New Years Day)- CLOSED

Dear Clients & Friends,

Please note that K&K International’s offices will be CLOSED on Sunday December 25th, 2016 in observance of Christmas and January 1st, 2017 for New Years.

Thank you and kindest regards,

Estimados Clientes y Amigos,

Favor de tomar nota que la oficinas de K&K International estarán CERRADAS el Domingo, 25 de Diciembre 2016 para Navidad y el dia 1ro de Enero 2017 para Año Nuevo.

Gracias y saludos

nogales-hours

otay-hours

Dear Clients and Friends,   As you are aware certain commodities imported into the United States must meet USDA Section 8e Import Requirements. Please review the following link which provides all necessary information along with a list of ALL commodities that must meet USDA 8e regulations (Tomatoes, Avocados, Dates, Hazelnuts, Grapefruit, Table Grapes, Kiwifruit, Olives, Onions, Oranges, Potatoes, Pistachios, Raisins & Walnuts):

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/section8e

As a friendly reminder, please note the Importer of Record is ultimately responsible to ensure that an inspection is conducted on all products that require one. The product must pass inspection and receive a certificate from UDSA confirming the matter before releasing the product into commerce.

Thank you and Kindest regards,

Estimados clientes y amigos,

Para hacer de su conocimiento sobre todo los productos Importados a Estados Unidos, es necesario que estén en cumplimiento con reglamentos de USDA.  El enlace abajo muestra informe detallado de TODOS los productos que deben estar de acuerdo al Reglamento de Importación de USDA (Sección 8ª).  Son los siguientes  (Tomate, Aguacate, Dátil, Avellana, Toronja, Uva de Mesa, Kiwi, Aceituna, Cebolla, Naranja, Papa, Pistacho, Pasa & Nuez):

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/section8e

Como recordatorio, el Importador de Récord es el responsable de coordinar con USDA para que se lleven a cabo dichas inspecciones sobre todo el producto que requiere inspeccion.  El producto debe pasar inspeccion y en cambio recibir un certificado por parte de USDA comprobando calificación de calidad, antes de distribuir producto al comercio.

Gracias y saludos,

***USDA Implements Import Certificate Requirement for Organic Products from Mexico***

***Dept. de Agricultura (USDA) Implementa la Solicitude de Presentar  Certificado para Productos Organicos de Mexico***

Dear Clients & Friends,

Please review below (in yellow) for your information.

Thank you,

Estimados Clientes y Amigos,

Favor de revisar abajo (en amarillo) para su informacion.

Gracias y saludos,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Mexico’s National Service for Animal and Plant Health, Food Safety and Quality (SENASICA) are committed to increasing transparency and strengthening monitoring and enforcement controls for organic products traded between the two countries. One important mechanism for achieving this goal is the use of import certificates. In October 2016, USDA and SENASICA established an agreement to require import certificates for all organic products traded between the United States and Mexico. On Jan. 16, 2017, the new requirement will become effective for all products entering the United States from Mexico, and these products must be accompanied by a National Organic Program (NOP) import certificate. Mexico will implement its own requirement for organic products entering Mexico from the United States in early 2017. The NOP is part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and enforces the organic regulations for domestic and imported agricultural products. NOP import certificates are used to verify that products shipped to the United States comply with the USDA organic regulations and must be issued by an accredited certifying agent for products they certify. USDA currently requires an import certificate for organic imports coming from European Union member states, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland. USDA will work with stakeholders in the United States and Mexico to begin using the NOP import certificate. The NOP will host webinars for certifying agents and importers in early January 2017 to help them understand the requirement and prepare for its implementation. The certifier webinar will focus on helping participants understand how to implement the requirement, and will provide an opportunity for them to ask questions. The webinar for importers will help this group understand their role in implementing the use of import certificates, including the need to request import certificates for each shipment of organic products from Mexico that they receive in the United States. Implementing the use of import certificates for organic products shipped to the United States from Mexico will improve consumer confidence in imported organic products and protect the integrity of the organic trade. For details on how to participate in the upcoming webinars, visit:

• Certifier Webinar
• Importer Webinar

NOP Staff Main Office 202-720-3252   IMPORTER WEBINAR INFO:   Event Date:  Tuesday, January 10, 2017 – 2:00pm to 2:30pm Join the Agricultural Marketing Service’s National Organic Program (NOP) for a webinar about the upcoming import certificate requirement for organic products shipped to the U.S. from Mexico. Beginning January 16, 2017, all organic products entering the U.S. from Mexico must be accompanied by an NOP import certificate.  NOP import certificates are used to verify that products shipped to the U.S. comply with the USDA organic regulations and must be issued by an accredited certifying agent for products they certify. This webinar will help participants understand their role in implementing the use of import certificates, including the need to request import certificates for each shipment of organic products from Mexico that they receive in the U.S. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Pre-registration is not required for this webinar session.   To participate: Step 1:  Dial In by Phone Toll-Free (U.S. & Canada):  866.740.1260 Access Code:  7202000 Step 2:  Also Access the Web Meeting URL:  http://www.readytalk.com On the left side of the screen, enter Participant Access Code: 7202000

NOGALES PORT OF ENTRY:
01/16/2017 – Normal business hours of operation

SAN DIEGO PORT OF ENTRY:
01/16/2017 – 8am – 3:30pm

MCALLEN PORT OF ENTRY:
01/16/2017 – Normal business hours of operation

Dear Clients & Friends,

Please note the Otay Mesa Port of Entry (San Diego) will have short business hours of operation in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Attached please find the official notice from CBP for your review.

Thank you and kindest regards,

Estimados Clientes y Amigos,

Favor de tomar nota que el Puerto de Otay Mesa (San Diego) estara operando con horas reducidas por motivo del dia festivo Martin Luther King. Anexamos copia del oficio proporcionado por CBP confirmando el horario.

Gracias y saludos

Dear Clients & Friends,

On January 10, 2017, the National Organic Program (NOP) hosted a webinar for certifying agents and importers to help them understand the requirement and prepare for its implementation. The webinar helped participants understand each parties’ role in implementing the requirement – providing details of how to request, complete and issue an import certificate. 

If you were unable to review the webinar, below please find the link that provides the complete presentation that was conducted on the 10th for your review.

Please note the original implementation date of January 16th, 2017 was postponed in order to help the industry better understand the process. Within the next several months the NOP will be providing an update regarding the implementation date. We will keep you informed as soon as we receive additional information.

Thank you and kindest regards,

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/WebinarMexicoImportCertificates.pdf