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According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection media releaes, CBP will open the USMCA Center prior to the start of the USMCA on July 1st. The USMCA Center will be the main communication hub for CBP and will include experts in operations, legal, audit and also virtual representatives from Canadian and Mexican customs authorities. The Center is there to ensure an efficient transition from NAFTA to USMCA.

Part of the center will also help the trade community with a focus on outreach, training and developing new regulations and procedures.

As you are aware, the USMCA replaces NAFTA and has been modernized to reflect technological changes in the past 25 years. The changes cover rules of origin, market to agricultural goods, digital trade, changes to labor rights of workers, and the protection of intellectual property rights.

The media release does want to remind members in the trade community the NAFTA rules will apply until July 1st. If you have any questions how the new USMCA will impact you, please contact David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.com.