CBP plans two Informed Compliance Seminars in Boston July 31, said CBP in a public information notice. Information on the classification of building stone and household glassware, under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, will be presented by Jacob Bunin, CBP’s National Import Specialist for these products. The presentation will be at the Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Conference Room 176B Boston, MA 02222. The presentation on building stone will go from 9 -11 a.m. and the presentation on household glassware will go from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendance is free but advance registration is requested by July 24 and is limited to the first 60 registrants for each session.
In the July 5, 2012 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (Vol. 46, No.28), CBP published two notices of its revocation of its rulings and treatment regarding the tariff classification of children's vests and rooftop air conditioners.
CBP said it is working on a deployment plan for allowing initial filings of Simplified Entry to include (i) bringing on all pilot participants, (ii) expansion to other ports, (iii) inclusion of additional functionality such as the PGA Message Set and DIS (Document Image System) capabilities, and (iv) expansion to other modes of transportation. CBP and the pilot participants will do an evaluation after 60-90 days to assess the pilot, it said in a June update on Simplified Entry.
The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) asked its members to take part in an industry survey to help CBP prepare for a Center of Excellence & Expertise for Textile, Wearing Apparel & Footwear companies. USA-ITA is part of the Industry Working Group, along with other textile, apparel, footwear, and retail industry associations, to develop the objectives for the CEE, said USA-ITA. CBP is seeking industry feedback on the CEEs this summer. A survey for USA-ITA members is (here).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
CBP is requesting comments by Sept. 10 for an existing information collection concerning the Crew Member's Declaration. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection with no change to the burden hours or to the information collected. The notice ran in the Federal Register July 11.
CBP posted a July 9 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 issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of July 9.
CBP released more details on the trade fair in Seattle scheduled for July 19. CBP has invited government agencies that regulate trade to participate, it said. There's no registration necessary, though IDs will be required.
CBP canceled it's July 12 Webinar on the "Role of the Broker," CBP said in a July 9 email. The subject of the Webinar was "Continuing Education." The Webinar was one of several CBP is hosting as part of a review and update of 19 CFR Parts 111 rules. CBP didn't say if it would be rescheduling the Webinar. A schedule of the Webinars, which as of press time didn't reflect the July 12 Webinar cancellation, is (here).