TIA Daily COVID-19 Update – March 20th (Afternoon Edition)

We understand that Pennsylvania has re-opened the turnpike rest areas. This is American business leading the way through this crisis!

As reported earlier today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defined 3PLs as an essential business service.

U.S. Customs stated on a call yesterday that all U.S. ports of entry, including the northern and southern borders, are open for cargo and running on pre-crisis hours. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is trying to limit border crossings for non-essential reasons, but Customs told their officers to be liberal in their interpretation. Customs gave the example of Canadians with U.S. mailboxes should be able to enter the U.S. to get their mail.

In order to keep the 3PL industry considered essential as tighter restrictions are promulgated out. We have begun a grassroots campaign for Members of TIA to write their Members of Congress about the importance of the 3PL industry during this tumultuous time. Take action now!

The Metals Service Center Institute is urging other National Association of Manufacturing members to contact the White House and Congress to be deemed essential businesses. As many of these companies are your customers, you may want to support their effort. Here is a copy of their letter.

On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin announced that the IRS and the Treasury would defer federal income tax payments up to $1 million for individuals and other unincorporated entities and up to $10 million for corporations from April 15 until July 15. Treasury is urging states to follow their lead. While the time for payments has been extended by 90-days, tax returns must be timely filed by midnight on April 15.

Not all the news during the COVID-19 crisis is bad. We heard from Kristy Knichel, President & CEO of Knichel Logistics, that since they’ve gone fully remote, the company is now providing employees with a $20/day stipend to buy their coffee or lunch from local small businesses.

Bob Biesterfeld, President & CEO of C. H. Robinson, reported that in addition to gifts they made to Give2Asia during the initial outbreak in Wuhan Province, they are contributing $250,000 to support those impacted by COVID-19.

Specifically, C.H. Robinson has donated to St. Christopher’s Truckers Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to truck drivers during these increased times of need; the World Food Programme, Feeding America, and Second Harvest Heartland to support hunger relief efforts; and they are supporting local non-profits.

TIA encourages all members to share with us the ways you and your business are positively impacting local communities as America’s Entrepreneurs lead us out of this crisis. Please send your stories, testimonials, or efforts to [email protected], and we’ll be sure to share them!

Here’s Benny Goodman’s Let’s Dance to Start Our First Official Weekend of Social Distancing.