CBP Administrative Messages, Electronic Bulletin Board Notices, Etc

1. 1^st Global Specialty Sugar TRQ Oversubscribed at Opening Moment

2. November 4^th Opening of 180-Day Special Import Quota for Upland Cotton

CBP has posted to its Web site a notice announcing a "special import quota" of 26,726,064 kg for upland cotton purchased not later than February 1, 2005 and entered under HTS 9903.52.14. The quota period is November 4, 2004 through May 2, 2005; the opening date is November 4, 2004 at 12 noon, E.S.T., or its equivalent in other time zones.

According to CBP, the use of the "special import quota" is at the importer's option, and is not subject to the tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) in HTS Chapter 52 AUSNs 5 through 10. CBP has previously stated that these 180-day quotas are established pursuant to a 1991 Presidential Proclamation, are "triggered" by high C.I.F. Northern Europe cotton prices, and are provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter III, U.S. Note 6.

(See notice for special instructions concerning the requirement for an original foreign government certification and a certification by the importer.) (QBT-04-552, dated 10/29/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/QBT2004/2004_552.ctt/04_552.doc)

3. HS Update Reflects Upcoming AMS Mushroom Fee Increase, Etc.

CBP has issued an ABI administrative message announcing that its most recent Harmonized System (HS) update (No. 0407) contains:

Changes required by the verification of the 2004 and 2005 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). (CBP notes that it will continue to verify the 2004 and 2005 HTS for the remainder of the year);

An increase in the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS') mushroom fee, effective January 1, 2005.

Changes to the HTS mandated by the 484(f) Committee, effective January 1, 2005; and

Changes to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) other government agency (OGA) flags.

CBP states that updated records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR). (Adm: 04-2341, dated 11/01/04, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2004/2004-2341.ADM)

4. Master VOCCs and VOCCs that Have Become Sea AMS Operational

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the following master vessel operating common carriers (master VOCCs) and vessel operating common carriers (VOCCs) have become Sea AMS operational: