Accumulation of production costs from non-originating intermediate goods is allowed under USMCA for regional value content calculations, just like it was under NAFTA, CBP said. In a recently released ruling requested by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA), CBP found the commercial vehicle manufacturer can add a tier two supplier’s costs of processing within USMCA territory to the USMCA costs of its tier one water pump supplier, even though the tier two costs were not sufficient to result in an originating material.
The FDA looks set to deprioritize its sampling and inspection activities for imported foods covered by systems recognition arrangements (SRA) between the FDA and foreign food safety authorities, according to a draft guidance document released by the agency July 9. Foreign food facilities would see fewer establishment inspections, and the FDA would adjust its screening and targeting criteria, import sampling and Foreign Supplier Verification Program inspections to account for SRAs, it said.
The International Trade Commission posted Revision 5 to the 2021 Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The semiannual update to the HTS removes General Note 12 for NAFTA from the tariff schedule, and adds new tariff numbers for a variety of products, including frozen warmwater shrimp, tomatoes, organic berries and high-strength steel. All changes take effect July 1, unless otherwise specified.
The International Trade Commission posted Revision 5 to the 2021 Harmonized Tariff Schedule late on July 2, following resolution of technical issues that had delayed its publication. The semiannual update to the HTS removes General Note 12 for NAFTA from the tariff schedule, and adds new tariff numbers for a variety of products, including frozen warmwater shrimp, tomatoes, organic berries and high-strength steel. All changes take effect July 1, unless otherwise specified.
The recent surge in forced labor enforcement by CBP has been accompanied by a lack of transparency and a “broad and vague” interpretation of the withhold release orders the agency uses to block suspect goods, customs lawyer Robert Stang of Husch Blackwell said during a recent webinar.
The next phase of Lacey Act implementation by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will begin Oct. 1, APHIS said in a notice released July 1. Phase VI subjects 27 new tariff lines to Lacey Act declaration requirements. The agency had originally planned the new requirements for October 2020 before delaying due to the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2008190010).
CBP should incorporate several types of bonds not currently included into the agency’s electronic eBond system, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee said in recommendations adopted at the COAC’s June 23 meeting. These bond types include Department of Transportation (DOT) bonds, International Trade Commission (ITC) bonds and intellectual property rights (IPR) bonds, the COAC said.
CBP will exempt some filers from the requirement to file a 10-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading on low value shipments that do not have PGA requirements once it finalizes new data elements for Section 321 shipments, Brandon Lord, acting CBP executive director-trade policy and programs, said at the June 23 meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee.
CBP will “soon” provide more information on who is participating in a task force of industry representatives and government officials developing a new customs legislative framework as part of CBP’s 21st Century Customs Framework, said Garrett Wright, who leads the effort as director of trade modernization at CBP’s Office of Trade.
AnnMarie Highsmith is the new executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade, the agency said in a June 21 press release. Highsmith had previously been CBP deputy chief counsel since 2013, the release said. John Leonard, who had been acting executive assistant commissioner and was executive director of the CBP Office of Trade's Trade Policy and Programs operations, will take over as deputy executive assistant commissioner, CBP said.