CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. FDA's OASIS System Went Down for Several Hours on November 17th

CBP provided an update announcing that OASIS started returning information to CBP at 4:17 p.m.; however, FDA reported that there may still be some problems with the system and advises the trade to continue to monitor CSMS messages in case further messages need to be sent. On November 18th, CBP issued a CSMS message stating that the OASIS problem has been resolved and entries began processing normally at 5:00 p.m. on November 17th. (CSMS messages, hyperlinked, dated 11/17/08, 08-000304, 08-000305, and 08-000306)

2. CIT Issues Temporary Restraining Order Preventing CBP from Timely Distributing FY 2008 Warmwater Shrimp CDSOA Funds

CBP has issued a notice announcing that on November 13, 2008, at the request of the Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) and eleven other named individual plaintiffs in case number 08-00394, the Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a temporary restraining order preventing CBP from making timely distributions of Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA, aka "Byrd Amendment") funds available in fiscal year 2008 for certain frozen warmwater shrimp and prawns from Ecuador, Brazil, India, Thailand, Vietnam and China (case numbers A-331-802, A-351-838, A-533-840, A-549-822, A-552-802, and A-570-893). The order will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on November 23, 2008 or until the CIT dissolves the order or otherwise rules on plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, whichever happens first. (CBP notice available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/priority_trade/add_cvd/cont_dump/warm_water_shrimp.xml)

3. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List

CBP has posted an updated version of its TRQ/TPL "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor tariff rate quotas and tariff preference levels that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low duty) rate. The list is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, posted 11/13/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

4. CBP to Expand Port of Wild Horse's Operating Hours in 2009

CBP has issued a news release announcing that the summer operating hours at the Port of Wild Horse (Montana) will now take place from March 1, 2009 through October 31, 2009. The increase in hours will allow CBP to determine if there is a significant increase in commercial traffic that would enhance trade and benefit the local community. (News release, dated 11/06/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11062008_5.xml)

5. CSMS Message on New FDA Import Alert on Melamine/Melamine Analogs

CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that the Food and Drug Administration issued Import Alert 99-30, "Detention Without Physical Examination of all Milk Products, Milk Derived Ingredients and Finished Food Products Containing Milk from China due to the Presence of Melamine and/or Melamine Analogs." (See ITT's Online Archives 11/14/08 news, 08111405, for BP summary of IA 99-30.) (CSMS 08-000303, dated 11/14/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17329&page=&srch_argv=08-000303&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)

6. Other CBP Postings and Messages

List of USC enforced by CBP. CBP has posted a United States Code list for the laws enforced by CBP. (List, dated 11/14/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/legal/summary_laws_enforced/us_code.xml)

Counterfeit, infringing toys seized. CBP has issued a news release announcing that CBP officers, import specialists and other employees at the ports of entry in Arizona have seized more than 125,000 toys worth approximately $800,000 that are either counterfeit or suspected of trademark infringement in a five-week period beginning October 1, 2008. (News release, dated 11/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11122008_5.xml)

Counterfeit computer parts seized. CBP has issued a news release announcing that officers and import specialists at the Savannah port of entry have seized approximately a half million dollars in counterfeit computer keyboards and mouse products for bearing the "Microsoft flag" logo and "LG & design" trademarks. A total of 400 keyboard/mouse combo sets, 960 single keyboards, and 13,920 single mouse products were seized. (News release, dated 11/14/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11142008.xml)

Agriculture fact sheet. CBP has posted an agriculture fact sheet which provides information on protecting U.S. agricultural resources. According to the fact sheet, in FY 2008 there were: 25,194,334 agriculture inspections; 1,505,691 agriculture interceptions; and 53,950 total violations. (Fact sheet, dated 10/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/printer_fact_sheets/agriculture.ctt/agriculture.pdf)

Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP has posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for November 6 - 12, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 11/13/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/1106_1112.xml)

7. Miscellaneous CBP Messages on AD and CV Duty Actions

The antidumping and countervailing messages CBP issues on behalf of the International Trade Administration are now only available on CBP's Web site at http://addcvd.cbp.gov. AD and CV ABI administrative messages are no longer issued.

An overview of a number of recent AD/CV messages posted to CBP's Web site, along with the case number(s), period covered, and CBP message number, are provided below. (Note that the complete message is only available at http://addcvd.cbp.gov.)