CBP released its July 10 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 47, No. 29). While the Bulletin does not contain any ruling articles, it does include recent general notices and Court of International Trade decisions.
In the July 3 issue of the CBP Customs Bulletin (Vol. 47, No. 28), CBP published two notices that propose to revoke or modify rulings and similar treatment regarding the tariff classification of muscle stimulation machines and plastic watch boxes.
Improved transparency is needed in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), advocates told negotiators during the first round of negotiations this week in Washington. Civil liberties advocates also discussed the importance of ensuring user privacy as data travels across the Atlantic.
Steptoe & Johnson hired Robert Rogers, previously an administrative law judge with the International Trade Commission, as senior counsel in the law firm's intellectual property department.
CBP posted a July 8 version of its CF 1400 (Record of Vessel in Foreign Trade Entrances) electronic query report of the Vessel Management System (VMS), in accordance with 19 CFR 4.95, organized by entrances. CBP also posted a version of its CF 1401 (Record of Vessel in Foreign Trade Clearances) electronic query report of the VMS, in accordance with 19 CFR 4.95, organized by clearances.
CBP's Seattle Field Office issued a notice reminding importers of how to use CBP Form 7523 when importing vehicles. That form, which is for duty-free vehicle imports for personal use, is commonly used under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings 9805.00.50 (Government), 9801.00.10 (Products of the U.S.), 9804.00.35 (Non-resident), and 9804.00.20 (Immigrant). An imported vehicle isn't eligible for duty-free entry if a non-resident importer is planning to drive the vehicle through the U.S. and make entry into Canada or Mexico, the notice said.
CBP will allow any commercial vessel entering U.S. water to participate in the electronic Form I-418 Crew and Passenger Manifest Permanent Program in order to allow for a smooth transition to use of the electronic form, said CBP's Seattle Field Office in a trade information notice. Those interested must provide a CBP invitation letter to the area port director and make a verbal or written request to participate, after which CBP can grant the request verbally or on paper, the notice said. Once a vessel is approved, it is no longer required to submit paper arrival and departure Form I-418 and the electronic version must be submitted to the National Vessel Movement Center over Internet or email, said CBP.
CBP will expand its Document Image System (DIS) pilot in the Automated Commercial Environment to add additional partner government agency forms and reduce metadata submission requirements, said CBP in a notice. A Federal Register notice on the expansion will be published shortly, said CBP. DIS allows for electronic submission of documents during the import process required by multiple agencies. CBP began testing the program last year (see 12040548).
A group of eight Canadian and U.S. meat trade associations sued the U.S. government over new requirements for the labeling of meat products. The suit, filed July 8 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, said the new country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements that are being implemented by the Agriculture Department's Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) are unduly burdensome and violate First Amendment protections by compelling speech. The suit was prompted after AMS issued a final rule on regulations in May (see 13052317). The suit calls for preliminary injunctive relieve to stop implementation and enforcement of COOL regulations.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues: