Challenges of CBP exclusions of imported merchandise should be heard by U.S. district courts, rather than the Court of International Trade, if the excluded merchandise is seized before the court challenge is filed, said CIT in dismissing PRP Trading’s objection to CBP’s exclusion of its merchandise. CBP originally excluded the merchandise because it suspected false country of origin markings. PRP Trading argued it could challenge the exclusion at CIT, but CIT said it had no jurisdiction because the merchandise was seized by CBP before PRP Trading filed suit, which means the correct forum for the case is a U.S. district court.
Brazil’s temporary tariff hike on 100 products took effect Oct. 1, after no MERCOSUR customs union members protested Brazil’s action during the allotted 15-day period, said Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, and International Trade. Affected products include tires, auto parts, kitchenware, footwear, and paper. The tariff increases of up to 25 percent will be in effect for a period of one year, after which they may be extended until Dec. 31, 2014. The list of products is available here. (See ITT’s Online Archives 12091321 for summary of announcement that Brazil would seek the tariff hikes.)
Five years after breaking ground, progress on the Panama Canal expansion is nearing the halfway point, according to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). ACP estimated that, as of Aug. 31, the expansion was 44.5 percent completed. "The Panama Canal Expansion Program is moving forward at a good pace," said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge Quijano.
The International Trade Commission launched an investigation into the competitiveness of the U.S. commercial olive oil industry in response to a request by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee. The final report, due by Aug. 12, 2013, will include:
The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel plans a webinar Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. ET on the use of the Foreign-Trade Zone program by textile and apparel importers. The webinar will cover the basics of operating an FTZ as an apparel distributor, cost-benefit analysis, the FTZ application process, activities allowed and prohibited in an FTZ, responsibilities of a zone operator, and considerations and requirements unique to textiles and apparel. The webinar will be presented by Lesley Couch, director of Sandler Travis’ duty deferral and FTZ practice. Registration, which is available here, closes at 1:30 p.m. ET.
The International Trade Commission is publishing notices in the Oct. 2 Federal Register on the following AD/CV injury, Section 337 patent, and other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will appear in another ITT article):
The International Trade Administration published notices in the Oct. 2 Federal Register on the following AD/CV proceedings (any notices that announce changes to AD/CV duty rates, scope, affected firms, or effective dates will be detailed in another ITT article):
On Oct. 1 the Food and Drug Administration posted new and revised versions of the following Import Alerts on the detention without physical examination of:
On Oct. 1 the Foreign Agricultural Service issued the following GAIN reports:
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails Oct. 1 announcing changes to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.