CBP posted a new Informed Compliance Publication (ICP) meant to provide guidance for the Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification of tires for import purposes. The publication includes information on tire terminology, tire types, sidewall markings and discussions of tires under HTS headings 4011 and 4012. The ICP also addresses President Barack Obama's 2009 proclamation that imposed additional duties on rubber tires from China classified in subheadings 4011.10.10, 4011.10.50, 4011.20.10 and 4011.20.50.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America raised and donated more money for political donations through its Political Action Committee than ever before, said the group's in its 2013 report. While expectations remain low for legislative progress on issues of interest to the association, "there are signs that -- gradually -- change is on its way," it said. The group added 92 new members in 2013, up to a total of 896 members, said the NCBFAA.
Cortney O'Toole Morgan, previously a lawyer at Barnes Richardson, is now senior counsel at Husch Blackwell, according to the firm's website.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
CBP issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of April 28. This report (here) includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, and tobacco; and certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, OFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs, etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, OFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying textile articles and/or other articles; the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc.
Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated April 28 with 85 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 181,824. The most recent ruling is dated 04/25/14.
CBP will begin to allow importers to certify Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Cargo Release pilot data elements through the transmission of the ACE Entry Summary, the agency said in a notice. The agency also added three new data elements that will be required in order to certify from ACE Entry Summary.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) released instructions regarding CBP's Partner Government Agency (PGA) message set, which began April 27. For FSIS, the pilot will mean the Public Health Information System will get more import inspection application data from CBP, it said. The two-year pilot, which also includes the Environmental Protection Agency, is hoped to begin the process to eventually allow importers to submit all required information to all necessary agencies at once through the International Trade Data System (see 13121219).
The Food and Drug Administration's Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) will be unable to upload documents from 12:01 - 6 a.m. on May 3, said CBP in a CSMS message. Users should plan to submit documents either before or after this maintenance period, said CBP.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske and 26 customs directors general adopted a resolution for a "Regional Risk Management Strategy to identify pressing risks in the Western Hemisphere and establish common risk-management principles" during a regional customs directors conference in Lima, Peru, said CBP in a press release. The April 23-24 event also included discussions of border management and the Authorized Economic Operator Regional Strategy, said CBP. “This has been a particularly excellent opportunity for me, as a new official, to participate in the regional dialogue,” said Kerlikowske.