Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated on June 16 at 8 a.m. with 174 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 171708. The most recent ruling is dated June 15, 12:00 a.m.
CBP's interim rule on disclosure of information to intellectual property (IP) rights holders should give importers additional protections to deal with the realities of "the parallel import market," said the American Free Trade Association (AFTA) in comments to the CBP. CBP asked for comments on an interim rule for disclosing information appearing on merchandise to help CBP in determining whether the merchandise bears a counterfeit mark. "The need for balance is clear; where the goods prove to be genuine, the mark owners receiving the information who are not involved [in] the transaction may very well be competitors of those who are," said AFTA.
The U.S. Grains Council chose Thomas Sleight as president and CEO to replace the retiring Thomas Dorr, the council said June 25. Sleight previously worked as vice president of operations and membership at the council.
President Barack Obama designated Vice Chairman Irving Williamson as Chair of the United States International Trade Commission for the term expiring June 16, 2014. Williamson had previously served as Vice Chairman of the ITC. White house press release available (here). ITC press release available (here).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
CBP posted a June 25 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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of June 25.
CBP said in a June 26 CSMS message new total daily dollar-value limit for credit card transactions using a single credit card will be lowered to $49,999.99 from $99,999.99, effective June 30. The max amount for debit card transaction will also be eliminated, said CBP.
Broker Power is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 18-22 in case they were missed last week.
An informal group of eight countries is continuing discussions on proposed lists of products for tariff-free treatment in a revised Information Technology Agreement, sources said following a meeting Monday in Geneva. The EU, U.S., Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Australia and Malaysia have product list proposals, an official said.