EMAIL REMINDER
Microsoft Outage: Please Resend Emails Sent November 12
A widespread Microsoft 365 outage on Thursday, November 12 disrupted Outlook and email service across many organizations, including ours. If you sent us an email on November 12 and have not received a reply, please resend your message so that nothing is missed. Thank you for your patience.
STRIKES AND LABOR ACTION
France: Dock Workers’ Strike Set for November 17
Dock workers have published that they will go on strike on Tuesday, November 17. As a result, all French port terminals are expected to be closed, with no gate-in or gate-out that day. Ocean carriers will need to issue revised instructions on any changes in vessel cut-off dates and times. Plan ahead for possible delays and cut-off changes on shipments moving through French ports. On a positive note, the French customs system outage was repaired on November 6, and flows are slowly returning to normal, though some backlog from the earlier port strikes remains.
U.S. West Coast: ILWU Local 26 Contract Extended to November 20
The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and ILWU Local 26 have agreed to a third extension of the labor contract, moving the deadline to November 20. The extension again prevents any strike action by the security watchmen, which could have spread to broader work stoppages at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Negotiations continue with the involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. We will continue to monitor and update.
Chile: New Truckers’ Strike Continues
The independent truckers’ strike in the San Antonio area ended after nine days. An agreement was reached, but about 2,500 container movements were affected, so yard congestion and a backlog of pickups will take time to clear. A new indefinite truckers’ strike then began on November 10 across several regions. The government announced that it will send a bill to Congress to reverse the fuel price increase that took effect November 12 and will freeze fuel prices until February 2027, but the transport associations called these measures insufficient, and additional groups, including truck owners’ associations from the Valparaíso Region and Puerto Montt, joined on November 12.
The main ports, including San Antonio and Valparaíso, remain operational, and vessel loading and discharge continue. The problems are inland, with restricted road movements in various areas limiting access to equipment depots and ports. Expect delays in container pickup and delivery, a risk of missed vessel cut-offs, and possible additional costs such as demurrage, detention, and storage. Our team is monitoring and will advise if any shipments are directly impacted.
PORT AND SHIPPING UPDATES
Hormuz: Attacks and Tensions Escalate
The security situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz worsened this week. Iran reported that four oil tankers were hit by explosions on November 12, and that an LNG carrier hit a mine on November 13 while using a route Iran has not authorized. A Saudi-flagged tanker was also reportedly attacked on November 11. Reports of renewed U.S. and Israeli strikes and Iranian threats of expanded retaliation have added to the tension. Brent crude rose more than $3 a barrel on Thursday. Sources differ on how open the strait is, but traffic remains far below normal. Expect continued upward pressure on fuel costs and war-risk insurance for Gulf-related routings.
TRADE, TARIFF, AND CBP UPDATES
Section 301 China Vessel Fees: Suspension Extended to January 9, 2027
USTR has finalized a two-month extension of the suspension of the Section 301 maritime fees on China-built or China-operated vessels. The suspension now runs through January 9, 2027. USTR has said it will keep monitoring China’s maritime and shipbuilding practices and decide whether to extend again or take other action before the suspension ends, so January 10 should be treated as a live deadline. Our joint industry letter, signed by 250 trade associations including WSSA, urges that the fees be permanently eliminated.
CBP Issues Interim Final Rule on Foreign Importers of Record
CBP published an interim final rule, “Heightened Requirements for Foreign Importers of Record,” in the Federal Register on November 6. Beginning January 5, 2027, a foreign importer of record (IOR) generally must either be CTPAT-validated or use a CTPAT-validated customs broker. CBP also added three new data fields to Forms 3461 and 7501 (see CSMS #70381183). If you have questions about your IOR status, import through a foreign IOR arrangement, or work with foreign suppliers that act as importer of record, please review the rules and reach out with questions. The comment period for CBP’s separate advance notice on supply chain disclosures closes December 1. WSSA will address these changes and more in our November 17 webinar.
WSSA Webinar: The New Era of Customs Enforcement – Tuesday, November 17
Join us on Tuesday at 3:00 pm ET (live on Zoom, 60 minutes with Q&A) to learn what Executive Order 14411 means for all importers. William Ferrara, Cofounder and President of Harbour Island Consulting and former Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, and Alison Leavitt, Managing Director of WSSA, will go through the key changes from the Executive Order, including new IOR requirements and why CBP can now void your IOR number, new rules for foreign importers of record, CBP’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking on supply chain disclosures, the benefits of CTPAT, what is driving the rise in customs exams, and how to manage CF29s and penalty notices. This event is free for WSSA members and $50 for non-members. To register, email info@wssa.com with your name, company, and email address, and include any questions you would like to see answered.
LCL Services from France, Italy, and Spain/Portugal
Space is available on upcoming sailings, so you can get your urgent holiday orders moving in time. Bi-monthly departures continue from each of these countries for your small shipments, with a per-case rate from the point of pickup to the Alba Wine and Spirits warehouse in Edison, New Jersey. U.S. customs clearance, cargo insurance, and delivery to any U.S. location can be added to the cost. All containers continue to run as operating reefers, so your cargo stays protected from temperature fluctuations. Shipments from other European countries can be added to the mix, with pickups offered in most European countries. Please let us know if you need more information!