The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General's Office released an audit report recommending improved security verification procedures for truckers approved within the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. CBP said it concurred with the report and is working on the issues.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection released its June 13 Customs Bulletin. While the Bulletin does not contain any ruling articles, it does list recent general notices and Court of International Trade decisions.
A group of lawmakers unveiled legislation that would establish permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment "to enable American businesses to pursue new job-creating export opportunities in Russia when it joins the World Trade Organization (WTO) this summer," said a Senate Finance Committee press release. The legislation was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), International Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member John Thune (R-S.D.), Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John McCain (R-Ariz.). Text of the bill is (here).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a June 13 CSMS message importers of solar panels without Chinese solar cells are required to certify that the panels don't contain Chinese solar cells. CBP said antidumping and countervailing duties are required on imports of solar cells and panels from China, including solar panels produced in a third-country from Chinese solar cells.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a June 11 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 11.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted an updated version of its spreadsheet of ACE ESAR A2.2 (Initial Entry Types) programming issues.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said June 11 it resolved some issues with Importer Security Filing (ISF) filings and the backlog is being processed. CBP received some reports from ABI filers that they are not getting ISF responses and, in some cases, cargo selectivity responses. CBP also got reports that cargo that usually receives a "paperless" release is now received "docs required" message.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted documents on changes to the Customs and Trade Interface Requirements (CATAIR) Appendix G, which lists common errors. Changes include the addition of a new code list for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and removed code related to ‘Importation & Transportation of Controlled Material & Organisms and Vectors Restriction and Precaution statement (VS16-6)’, etc. CBP also recently posted the change record for the CATAIR chapter on the PGA Message Set.