FCBF looking at future of OTIs

FCBF looking at future of OTIs At the upcoming general membership meeting on November 15, the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association (FCBF) will take a look at the future of Ocean Transportation Intermediaries as the Federal Maritime Commission considers the structure of relationships between OTIs and their non-licensed representatives.
   Andrew Margolis, one of the FMC's South Florida area representatives, will be one of the featured speakers at the luncheon meeting at the Intercontinental West Hotel on N.W. 87th Avenue in Doral.
   The FMC officially solicited comments in August to get industry views on whether Ocean Transportation Intermediaries performing as non-vessel-operating common carriers can lawfully use agents to represent them around the country, or whether they need to have actual branch offices wherever they are doing business.
   In addition, the FCBF will focus on the balance between security and commercial interests for customs brokers in a presentation by Lenny Feldman of law firm Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg. His presentation is entitled 'Commercial Compliance and Security Can Coexist.'
   The cost of the luncheon is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Registration is available online at www.fcbf.com.