[GTEC Conference] Decoding the Biggest Transnational Crimes: Lacey Act & Its Role in Trade Compliance - Conversation with USDA and Census Bureau

The most recent episode of the Simply Trade Podcast provided listeners with priceless insights into the world of trade. The conversation was held live from GTEC Conference in Oklahoma City, an event in the trade industry. The hosts, Lalo and Andy, interviewed key representatives from the Census Bureau and the USDA, among others. In an exciting recap of the conference, the hosts pinpointed the significance of the sessions, speakers, and exhibitors - who stood out for their ability to educate attendees and present solutions to industry challenges. Key Conversations Census Bureau: Gerard Horner delved into the inner workings of the Census Bureau, stating its role in accurately logging the import and export of commodities, which form a crucial part of trade figures. He emphasized the need for exporters and importers to provide comprehensive data. USDA: Erin Otto, who's been with the USDA for 18 years, detailed the Lacey Act. She mentioned that the act states that any imported or exported item must be legally harvested worldwide. The discussion centered on the upcoming Phase Seven, focusing on non-composite plant materials. Otto clarified the difference between composite and non-composite materials, with the former involving plant materials that have been torn apart and reconstructed using chemical or mechanical binding. Phase seven will include household items like kitchenware, furniture, and bulk cork, along with more essential oils, among others. A noteworthy point in the discussion was Otto's mention about the Lacey Act being enforced as a deterrent for unlawful logging and deforestation, which are among the top transnational crimes in the world, below counterfeit goods and drugs. She also advised staying vigilant about the Federal Register Updates for the publication of HTS codes flagged for Lacey Act regulations. The hosts stressed the significance of getting things right initially in compliance tasks despite possibly consuming more time. Any errors can lead to severe impacts, such as a risky compliance record and even the seizure and detention of shipments. Whether you're a seasoned trader or starting in the industry, this episode brims with invaluable insights that you wouldn't want to miss. You'll get an understanding of how federal agencies, specifically the Census Bureau and the USDA, impact the trading industry. Listen to the full episode for an enlightening discussion, and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review for the Simply Trade Podcast. They continue to deliver educational conversations from the heart of the industry. Enjoy the show! Host: Andy Shiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyshiles/  Host/Producer: Lalo Solorzano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/  Guest Host: Annik Sobing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annik-sobing-mba-b226251a2/  Co-Producer: Mara Marquez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-marquez-a00a111a8/ Show references: Global Training Center - www.GlobalTrainingCenter.com Simply Trade Podcast - twitter.com/SimplyTradePod  Gerard Horner - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-horner-073508237/ Census Bureau - www.Census.gov  Erin Otto - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-otto-274833271/  USDA - www.aphis.usda.gov  Contact [email protected] or message @SimplyTradePod for: Advertising and sponsoring on Simply Trade Requests to be on the show as guest Suggest any topics you would like to hear about Simply Trade is not a law firm or an advisor. The topics and discussions conducted by Simply Trade hosts and guests should not be considered and is not intended to substitute legal advice. You should seek appropriate counsel for your own situation. These conversations and information are directed towards listeners in the United States for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be In substitute for legal advice. No listener or viewer of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal advice from counsel. Information on this podcast may not be up to date depending on the time of publishing and the time of viewership. The content of this posting is provided as is, no representations are made that the content is error free. The views expressed in or through this podcast are those are the individual speakers not those of their respective employers or Global Training Center as a whole. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this podcast are hereby expressly disclaimed.