National Export Initiative? May Create New Compliance Challenges

Although most U.S. exporters may not need specific licenses to take part in the President’s? National Export Initiative (NEI), determining if that is the case can be very expensive.

“But it’s worth the diligence if you are not certain,” said Dan Gardner, chief executive officer of Ocean World Lines?(OWL), a global, single-source NVOCC (non-vessel operating common?carrier) and subsidiary of Pacer International.

In an interview with SCMR, he said that a few new “bombshells” may be introduced by regulatory agencies before the initiative gets fully underway.

“This is a particular concern for shippers of ‘dual use’ products,” he said. “A technical piece of equipment might have both a industrial and military application. If that’s the case, it’s important that the shipper knows how to properly apply for a license.”

OWL announced that?it will host a Global Trade Symposium in Miami, Jan. 18-20, to?discuss the prospects for U.S. import/export trade in 2012.

The? Symposium also will encourage goals of the NEI, a program launched in January of 2010 by President Obama, to?double exports by the end of 2014 as a means of boosting sales for? American companies and creating new jobs.??

The Symposium will feature a variety of presentations and panel?discussions by a distinguished group of senior logistics?professionals, including ocean carrier executives from Maersk Lines,?Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen; large exporters; government officials;?journalists; and academics.

Topics will include outlooks for specific?trade lanes, import/export case studies, technology applications and?other issues of concern to importers and exporters of all sizes.??

?“We believe deeply that exporting can create jobs and stimulate the?economy, and we want to make a contribution,” Gardner said.?“A lot of work has been done by the Small Business Administration,?Department of Commerce, and Ex-Im Bank, but the government cannot go?it alone. Helping to grow international trade is the right thing to ?do and it offers an exit from the financial crisis, which is why we?are organizing this event.”??

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