All Articles


May
4
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you about the upcoming "Commemoration of the Battle of Puebla" mexican holiday schedule observed Friday, May 5, 2023.
U.S. Customs will be open for business in a normal weekday schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Our RL Jones offices will also be open in a normal business schedule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.

Sincerely,

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Apr
27
2023
San Diego/Otay, CA

Dear Customers,

 

In order to use the fast lanes, drivers in the conveyance must be in possession of a valid FAST Commercial Driver Card. The dedicated commuter lanes ( FAST LANES) clearance can only be used if:

 

  1. A FAST Approved driver carries only eligible goods of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.
  2. It is being transported by an approved C-TPAT carrier company
  3. It is being entered by an approved C-TPAT importer with a high security seal
  4. For the U.S./ Mexico border, the manufacturer must also be C-TPAT approved.

 

CBP officers will strictly enforce the law. Drivers entering the Unites Stated are subject to /compliance and enforcement checks. If a driver is found compromising any requirements of the FAST program, or violation of any law of the Unites States, officers may:

 

  • Revoke/ suspend their FAST Commercial Driver Card
  • Seize any undeclared goods and the vehicle you used to transport those goods
  • Issue penalties
  • Initiate administrative procedures; and,
  • Initiate criminal prosecution

 

Please contact us at the following email if you have any questions: Compliance@rljones.com

 

Sincerely,

R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers

Ph. 619 661-8182

www.rljones.com

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Apr
21
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you about the upcoming "Día del Trabajo" mexican holiday schedule observed Monday, May 1, 2023. U.S. Customs will be open for business and will follow the holidays schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 

Calexico-Mexicali:

 

 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Laden trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In bond shipments

 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Empty trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Vehicle exportation (self-propelled only)

 

Mexicali - Calexico:

 

 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All empty and laden trucks

 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bulk merchandise (non-Hazmat) and scrap material.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Primary gates will be closed; however, the cargo offices will remain open to finish processing entries and field inquires from trade.


As usual, please keep in mind that the below listed commodities will not be allowed entry on this day:
              - Textiles (Northbound/ MX-US)
              -Hazardous Materials
              - Commodities requiring visa or special permits
 

RL Jones Calexico Office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RL Jones Calexico Warehouse:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Servicios Jones Office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Freight Office:

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


For more details, please refer to the attached PIN from CBP.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.

Sincerely,

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Apr
19
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers:
 
As part of our Supply Chain Security Customer Education Program, attached please find our second quarterly C-TPAT notice for 2023. This edition relates to “Trade Based Money Laundering”.
 
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.
 
Sincerely,

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Apr
13
2023
San Diego/Otay, CA

We are proud to announce that we will be relocating our San Diego Corporate Headquarters from our current location on Siempre Viva Road to a new location at the Landmark at Otay business park. This new expansion into the Landmark at Otay business park will allow us to consolidate operations with our current warehouse at this same business park.

We are confident that the move into our new Corporate Headquarters will allow us to accommodate our client's needs based on the growth being projected as a result of recent changes in the global supply chain. With Near-Shoring, the boom in E-commerce, and organic growth amongst our clients, we are very excited that this expansion will allow us to grow with our industry while continuing to provide quality services to our clients.

The new building is currently under construction and our goal is to take occupancy on October 1st with a full 60 days to transition over clients by our December 1st go live date.

Rest assured that our transition teams will be in contact with you to assist in managing this change, and we are open to making any special accommodations needed to ensure the move will not impact your business.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation, and for the trust that you have always placed in us. We know at the end of this transition we will be better equipped to serve all of your needs now and into the future.

 

Sincerely,

Eduardo “Lalo” Acosta

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Apr
12
2023
Industry-Wide News

Determinación del Valor comercial aduanal para los Productos perecederos

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Apr
12
2023
Industry-Wide News

Determining Customs Value Of Fresh Produce . (An Informed Compliance Publication)

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Apr
12
2023
Industry-Wide News

 

SUBJECT: Port of Nogales Sunday Service for 2023

 

 

 

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Mar
28
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you about the upcoming Holy Week holiday schedule. U.S. Customs will be open for business and will observe the following hours of operation:

Thursday, April 6, 2023: 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 7, 2023: Closed

Hazmat Pre-File by Wednesday April 5, 2023 & Hazmat entries on Thursday, April 6, 2023.
 

Calexico-Mexicali:

 

 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Laden trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In bond shipments

 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Empty trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Vehicle exportation (self-propelled only)

 

Mexicali - Calexico:

 

 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Hazmat laden trucks

 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Empty and laden trucks (non-hazmat)

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Primary gates will be closed; however, the cargo offices will remain open to finish processing entries and field inquires from trade.


As usual, please keep in mind that the below listed commodities will not be allowed entry on this day:
              - Textiles (Northbound/ MX-US)
              - Commodities requiring visa or special permits
 

RL Jones Calexico Office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed

RL Jones Calexico Warehouse:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed

Servicios Jones Office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Freight Office:

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed


For more details, please refer to the attached PIN from CBP.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.

Sincerely,

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Mar
14
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you that the Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule that, effective May 5, will require persons who intend to manufacture (including import) or process any of 29 chemical substances for an activity designated as a significant new use by this rule to notify the EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. The substances at issue are used as or in anti-corrosive primers, coatings, polymers, gas scrubbing, plastics and resins, dishwashing cleaners, 3-D printing, fragrances, rubber products, carpet treatments, and herbicides.

Persons may not commence importation, manufacture, or processing for the significant new use until the EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination, and taken such actions as are required with that determination.

Importers must certify that shipments of these substances comply with all applicable rules and orders under the Toxic Substances Control Act, including any SNUR requirements. In addition, any persons who export or intend to export any of these substances are subject to the export notification provisions of 15 USC 2611(b) and must comply with the export notification requirements in 40 CFR part 707, subpart D.

For more details, please refer to Imports of 29 Chemical Substances to Require Advance Notice Final Rule.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the following email: compliance.clx@rljones.com.

Sincerely,

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Mar
13
2023
San Diego/Otay, CA

Good morning and happy Monday to everyone 

 

We will be observing  “Benito Juarez Birthday, Monday March 20 , 2023  with the following hours of operation: 

 

Sincerely,

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Mar
8
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you that on February 24, 2023, the President issued Proclamation 10522 on Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States, announcing that aluminum articles that are the product of Russia, and derivative aluminum articles that are the product of Russia shall be subject to a 200 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on March 10, 2023. See 88 FR 13267 issued on March 2, 2023.

 Also, imports of aluminum or derivative aluminum articles where any amount of primary aluminum used in the manufacture of the articles is smelted in Russia, or the articles are cast in Russia, will be subject to a 200 percent ad valorem rate of duty with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 10, 2023.

 The functionality for the acceptance of the 232 additional duties on aluminum articles that are the products of Russia will be available in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) as of 7 am eastern standard time, March 9, 2023.  CBP will issue a CSMS to announce when the functionality for the April 10, 2023 effective date will be available in ACE.

For more details, please refer to CSMS #55407022- (UPDATED) Section 232 Additional Duties on Russian Aluminum.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the following email: compliance.clx@rljones.com.

Sincerely,

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Mar
6
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you about the upcoming President´s Day holiday schedule observed Monday, February 20, 2023. U.S. Customs will be open for business and will follow the holidays schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 

Calexico-Mexicali:

 

 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Laden trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In bond shipments

 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Empty trucks

 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Vehicle exportation (self-propelled only)

 

Mexicali - Calexico:

 

 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All empty and laden trucks

 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bulk merchandise (non-Hazmat) and scrap material.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Primary gates will be closed; however, the cargo offices will remain open to finish processing entries and field inquires from trade.


As usual, please keep in mind that the below listed commodities will not be allowed entry on this day:
              - Textiles (Northbound/ MX-US)
              -Hazardous Materials
              - Commodities requiring visa or special permits
 

RL Jones Calexico Office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

RL Jones Calexico Warehouse:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Servicios Jones office:

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Freight Office:

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


For more details, please refer to the attached PIN from CBP.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.

Sincerely,
 

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Feb
20
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,
 
We are proud to announce that we will participate again at this year’s AGROBAJA Expo. This agriculture exhibit will be held March 2 - 4, 2022 at the Campo Experimental INIFAP (Km 7.5 Mexicali – San Felipe Highway). Our booth will be located on the main expo area (booth number 321).
 
If you are attending AGROBAJA, please make sure to stop by our booth, we would be more than happy to greet you.
 
Sincerely,

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Feb
17
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

We would like to inform you that the Biden administration is being urged to consider reimposing Section 232 tariffs on steel from Mexico in response to a surge in imports. Since the U.S. lifted its 25 percent section 232 tariffs on steel products from Mexico in May 2019 but warned that these tariffs could be reimposed if imports surged in the future.

Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to the Department of Commerce and the USTR to take action against the unsustainable surge of Mexican steel imports.

Moreover, the letter said the wave of Mexican steel imports has already contributed to the loss of over 200 steel jobs in California and led to the closing of one of less than a dozen American factories that produce steel conduit. Many steel producers are concerned that additional production cuts, layoffs, and plant closures are imminent. 

Please see attachment from the Senator’s letter.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at the following email: compliance.clx@rljones.com
Sincerely,

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Feb
16
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

We would like to inform you about the changes being implemented by CBP regarding Forced Labor trade measures. You must be aware that as of March 18th, 2023, the UFLPA Region Alert will add three new validations as follows:

  • Postal codes will be a mandatory field for all manufacturers of Chinese origin
  • Postal codes, as well as the addresses of the Chinese originating manufacturers, will have to be verified as valid
  • For manufacturers in the province of XUAR, CBP will issue a warning letting you know that this zip code has been identified and is not valid for importations

The specific applications impacted will be:

  • Cargo Release (SE): Only for the manufacturer party and only when the country is reported as The People´s Republic of China in the SE36 and/or SE56 record. Please note that the Border Cargo/Manifest must be accepted by the CBP system before crossing.
  • Manufacturer Identification Code (MID): When creating or updating a MID with a city located in The People´s Republic of China
  • This enhancement will provide the ability to update an existing MID with a postal code

For more details, please refer to UFLPA ACE Enhancement Region Alert Information Notice for Trade
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the following email: compliance.clx@rljones.com

Sincerely,

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Feb
10
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you about the upcoming President´s Day holiday schedule observed Monday, February 20, 2023. U.S. Customs will be open for business and will follow the holidays schedule from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Calexico-Mexicali:  
 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Laden trucks
 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In bond shipments
 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Empty trucks
 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Vehicle exportation (self-propelled only)

 

Mexicali - Calexico:  
 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All empty and laden trucks
 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bulk merchandise (non-Hazmat) and scrap material.
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Primary gates will be closed; however, the cargo offices will remain open to finish processing entries and field inquires from trade.


As usual, please keep in mind that the below listed commodities will not be allowed entry on this day:
              - Textiles (Northbound/ MX-US)
              -Hazardous Materials
              - Commodities requiring visa or special permits

RL Jones Calexico Office: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
RL Jones Calexico Warehouse: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Servicios Jones office: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Freight Office: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


For more details, please refer to the attached PIN from CBP.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.

Sincerely,

Read More

Feb
8
2023
Calexico, CA

Dear friends and customers,

The following is to inform you that the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule amending its regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products beginning March 19, 2024.
 
An AMS press release states that this rule “protects organic integrity and bolsters farmer and consumer confidence in the USDA organic seal by supporting strong organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, increasing import oversight authority, and providing robust enforcement of the organic regulations.” Key updates include the following.

- Expanding the requirement for National Organic Program import certificates to all organic products imported into the U.S.
- Clarifying conditions for establishing, evaluating, and terminating equivalence determinations with foreign government organic programs to ensure the compliance of organic products imported from countries that have organic trade arrangements or agreements with the U.S.
- Clarifying the method of calculating the percentage of organic ingredients in a multi-ingredient product.
- Requiring non-retail containers used to ship or store organic products to be labeled with organic identity and be traceable to audit trail documentation.

For more information, please visit the following link from the Federal Register:
National Organic Program (NOP); Strengthening Organic Enforcement and USDA Publishes Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices.
Sincerely,

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Locations

R.L. Jones has offices across all major U.S Southern ports on both sides of the border. Select a location to view more details