The U.S. will continue to look for and create international mutual recognition arrangements for trusted trader programs, said CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske while speaking at the World Customs Organization Global Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) conference in Madrid, Spain. "Economic prosperity depends on a consistent, stable and predictable environment for commerce,” said Kerlikowske. “And security plays a critical role in creating and protecting those stable and predictable conditions."
CBP issued its May 7 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 48, No. 18), which contains the following ruling actions:
Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated May 5 with 82 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 181,901. The most recent ruling is dated 05/02/14.
CBP stopped more than 180 counterfeit guitars that would be worth more than $1 million at retail if they were real, the agency said. The guitars were found at the International and Bulk Mail Center in Jersey City, New Jersey while CBP officers were examining oversized packages, it said. The guitars included trademarks for Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith, Martin, Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, and Ernie Ball and all were being shipped through the same facility. "Officers discovered business cards within the packaging, all referring to the same website," said CBP. "The website indicated these guitars could be purchased from China for about $200 to $500; but the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for authentic guitars range anywhere from $2,000 for basic models to $54,000 for signature models. The guitars were seized by officers and are scheduled for destruction."
In the April issue of the CBP Customs Bulletin (Vol. 48, No. 17), CBP published two notices that propose to revoke rulings and similar treatment for the tariff classification of Botox and Amevive, a drug used to treat psoriasis.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 28-May 2 in case they were missed.
CBP will allow the 17/21 Group, an apparel importer, to revise a cost submission for reconciliation purposes in order to fall within Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the agency said in a Feb. 19 ruling. The ruling, HQ H242984, was in response to an internal advice request from the Port of Phoenix. The company sought advice from the Port of Phoenix on its ability to address cost irregularities it found related to the operations of a maquiladora it owns in Mexico. The importer is in CBP's reconciliation program and planned to submit final values for the year in question following the CBP decision, the ruling said.
The U.S. Council for International Business hired Ariel Meyerstein, as vice president for labor affairs, corporate responsibility and governance, the group said in a press release. Meyerstein previously was an associate at the law firm Chadboure & Park.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
CBP posted a May 2 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.