GOVERNMENT AGENCIES UNSYMPATHETIC TO BROKERS’ COMPLAINTS AGAINST OSRA

   If the industry wants to change the rules for posting freight charges on
imported goods, don’t expect government agencies to do the work.
   That’s what government officials told the industry when the issue was
raised over the weekend at the Western Cargo Conference in San Diego, Calif.
   Brokers say that since the Ocean Shipping Reform Act’s went into effect in May, some importers and carriers believe that confidential contracting takes brokers out of the loop on freight cost data.
   Officials from the Federal Maritime Commission, Customs and the Census Bureau say that’s a misinterpretation of OSRA. Current law still requires the Commerce Department to compile and publish data on import charges. Brokers are obligated to collect and file this information.
   Census is not sympathetic to broker and importer complaints about the
regulation. "We had neither input nor were asked to give our input into
OSRA," a census official said.
   The FMC said it would be willing to receive comments from the industry, but the industry will have to go to Congress to change the rules.