Nationwide strike by U.S. freight railroad workers still looms (Kiplinger)
The threat of a nationwide strike by U.S. freight railroad workers still looms. The votes of the two largest rail workers’ unions will be known by mid-Nov. Two of these unions have rejected a proposed deal, while six have OK’d it. Others are still deciding. The earliest a rail strike could happen is late Nov. All 12 unions must approve the contracts with the railroads to prevent a strike. There is no immediate threat of a walkout because the unions agreed to return to talks through at least late Nov. to avoid an economically crippling strike. If the impasse persists, Congress may intervene and block a strike.
Ed. Note: We are hearing from other sources a strike is not likely until December.
Q4 capacity reductions from Asia to US
We are hearing from several sources that carriers are beginning to cut capacity from Asia to the US. This is caused by rapidly dropping rates and reduced shipments. The carriers are trying to artificially keep rates high, and we hear the reductions may continue in to Q1/23.
Downstream Products Added to List of Foreign Goods Cited for Forced or Child Labor ( From Sandler Travis & Rosenberg)
The Department of Labor has added 32 products to, and removed one from, its list of foreign-made goods it has reason to believe are produced by child and/or forced labor in violation of international standards. This list also identifies for the first time downstream goods produced with inputs made with forced or child labor. For more info, please go to
CBP to Increase Focus on Trade-Based Money Laundering (From Sandler Travis & Rosenberg)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to increase its efforts to combat trade-based money laundering in the year ahead, a senior CBP official said recently. Importers can expect greater CBP scrutiny of their trade documentation as part of this effort.
“Trade in goods provides a pretext to wire money to accomplices abroad to pay for goods received,” according to CBP. “Transnational criminal organizations and other bad actors disguise and move illicit profits through various forms of fraud, including importing and exporting goods at above or below market value, insurance fraud, and tax evasion.” Goods such as textiles, electronics, automobiles, and precious metals are commonly used in these schemes. For more information, please go to:
Reminder: Food Facility Registration Period Now Open (From Sandler, Travis, and Rosenberg)
The current renewal period opened Oct. 1 and will close Dec. 31. Renewals are mandatory regardless of when the initial registration occurred.
Ed. Note: We cannot be your U.S. agent. We will gladly provide you a list of reputable companies that provide this service for a fee.
For more information, please visit: