CBP posted a presentation it gave in February outlining various requirements for wood packaging material (WPM). The presentation reviews the possible results of using non-compliant WPM, such as pests. The presentation also goes over what does and doesn't constitute WPM. For instance, packaging made entirely of thin wood 6 mm or less and sawdust don't fall under WPM regulations, said CBP.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 18-22 in case they were missed.
CBP released its long-awaited proposal outlining testing methods used to determine the classification for footwear with textile soles in the March 27 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 47 No. 14). The proposed test method would be used to administer Additional Note 5 to HTS Chapter 64, which requires textile materials that don't include the characteristics usually required for normal use of an outer sole, including durability and strength, to be disregarded when determining the constituent material for classification purposes. This is meant to help CBP ensure that a textile outer sole on footwear is actually a textile outer sole, rather than a rubber outer sole with textile fabric.
The International Trade Administration rescinded the antidumping new shipper review of preserved mushrooms from China (A-570-851) for Shandong Yinfeng Rare Fungus Corp. As a result, their temporary AD duty bonding option is being discontinued. The ITA will direct CBP to continue to suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits for merchandise produced and/or exported by Yinfeng until CBP receives instructions on ongoing administrative review of preserved mushrooms from China for the period Feb. 1, 2011 through Jan. 31, 2012.
The International Trade Administration rescinded the antidumping new shipper review of fresh garlic from China (A-570-831) for Foshan Fuyi Food Co. and Qingdao May Carrier Import & Export Co. As a result, their temporary AD duty bonding option is being discontinued. The ITA will direct CBP to continue to suspend liquidation and collect cash deposits for entries subject to the ongoing administrative review of fresh garlic from China from 2010-2011. Upon completion of the administrative review, the ITA will instruct CBP to assess antidumping duties on entries for Fuyi and Maycarrier at the China-wide rate pursuant to the final results of the 2010-2011 administrative review.
The Food and Drug Administration amended a final rule to show a change of address for the Center for Devices and Radiological Health effective March 26. The new address is 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002. Designation of agent by manufacturers of electronic products for importation into the U.S. must be addressed to the Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Document Mail Center. The change isn't substantive, said the FDA.
The International Trade Administration updated information ahead of its June 2013 trade mission to Russia for exporters of healthcare products, revising the application deadline from March 15 to March 29 due to the Easter holiday season. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential partners, market briefings, and networking events, it said (see 12122822). Up to 20 companies will be selected to participate.
The International Trade Administration said it will lead a May 2014 trade mission to Turkey for exporters of healthcare products. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential partners, market briefings, and networking events, it said. Up to 22 companies will be selected to participate. applications received after Dec. 16 will only be considered if space permits, the ITA said.
CBP said the port of New River Valley, Va. (Port Code 1412) won't be staffed as of March 29. Importers should clear merchandise at the first port of arrival or face potential delays at New River Valley, said CBP. For inspections, merchandise at New River Valley must remain intact until arrangements are made to send a CBP officer to examine the goods and the agency can't "guarantee a response time frame," it said.
CBP released spreadsheets showing active AD/CVD cases and the associated case numbers, ISO country codes, tariff numbers, and short descriptions of each case as of Oct. 1 . This information alone should not be relied upon in determining whether an AD/CVD case is currently active, or whether merchandise falls under the scope of AD/CVD order, said CBP. For current AD/CVD information, consult ACE, Department of Commerce Federal Register Notices, and ADDCVD Search on CBP.gov, said CBP. Active anti-dumping cases are (here). Active countervailing cases are (here).