The Port of San Francisco, grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #3, will hold a half-day seminar for parties interested in learning about the benefits of the Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) program on Thursday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Port’s office at Pier 1 in San Francisco.
By Patrick Burnson
Published: June, 2012
The Port of San Francisco, grantee of Foreign Trade Zone #3, will hold a half-day seminar for parties interested in learning about the benefits of the Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) program on Thursday, June 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Port’s office at Pier 1 in San Francisco.
The seminar will provide attendees with a good understanding of the FTZ program and how it can help businesses better compete in global markets. Topics to be discussed include an overview of the FTZ program, types of companies that can benefit, financial savings opportunities, the application process and compliance issues.
The Foreign Trade Zones Program was established by Congress in 1934. Goods coming into the zones are considered to be outside of U.S. commerce even though they have physically entered through a Customs Port of Entry. Duties are paid only when the finished product exits the zone and enters U.S. commerce. FTZs provide the opportunity to defer, reduce and even eliminate duties on imported and re-exported products.
Facilitating the seminar will be Scott Taylor of Miller & Co., a law firm serving a diverse clientele in international trade, customs and FTZ law. Organizations that may find the seminar beneficial include importing and exporting companies, freight forwarders, custom brokers, distributors, third-party logistics companies, manufacturers, refineries, city economic development officials and members of economic forums and associations.
"This is an excellent opportunity for local businesses and community leaders to learn how Foreign Trade Zones can help reduce logistics costs and add to a company’s bottom line," said Peter Dailey, Port of San Francisco deputy director. "We are bringing in a top expert in the industry to present valuable information and answer questions about the program."
Bar Pilots Retreat From Plan for Higher Pay
The Port of Oakland—which has been besieged by anarchists, heavily taxed by city government and held hostage by dockside labor during wildcat strikes—has dodged a challenge of a different kind. The San Francisco Bar Pilots Association announced in late May that it has backed off a plan—advanced by Assemblyman Sandre Swanson—that would have increased compensation to the group of high-earning mariners.
Criticism of higher pay for the bar pilots came from several sources, including the ocean cargo carriers who paid nearly $12,000 per round trip on average to the bar pilots. Meanwhile, state regulators have initiated investigations of the pilots’ pricing policies in the Bay and other Northern California waterways.
Industry Event Covers Panama Canal Project
The Pacific Transportation Association’s Annual Ports and Terminals Event for 2012 will take place June 14 in Oakland. The guest speaker will be Rodolfo Sabonge, vice president of Market Research and Analysis, Panama Canal Authority (ACP). Sabonge will provide an update on the construction of the third set of locks, scheduled for completion in 2014, the 100th anniversary of the canal’s opening.
Organizers promise an informative and interesting program. The dinner event takes place Thursday, June 14, at Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar in Jack London Square. There will be a no-host bar commencing 5 p.m. with dinner and speaker presentation from 6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
