International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for June 2-6 in case they were missed.
The Port of San Francisco is taking some additional steps to protect antidumping duty collections for fresh garlic as a result of past entry document issues and the increased financial risk involved, the port said in an information notice. As a means to deal with that risk, the port will now require an "entry summary document at time of entry" and additional information for fresh garlic imported from the People's Republic of China (PRC), it said. The garlic, classifiable under headings 0703.20.0005, 0703.20.0015, 0703.20.0020 and 0703.20.0090, is subject to antidumping duties up to $4.71 per kilogram, the notice said.
The American Apparel and Footwear Association named Juanita Duggan, previously policy director at Brownstein Hyatt, as its new CEO and president, the association said in a press release. Duggan, who worked as CEO of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America prior to joining Brownstein Hyatt, replaces Kevin Burke, who joined the Airports Council International-North America. (see 13121702).
The American Association of Exporters and Importers is rebranding and updating its website, the trade group said on its homepage. "As we turn the page of yet another chapter in our long history we felt the need to evolve our brand as well," it said. "Yes we are pleased to announce the bold new look of AAEI." The updated site will allow for better mobile access and more effective communication with AAEI members, it said.
The Food and Drug and Administration will use CMCI, a company that specializes in federal information technology, to integrate the agency with the International Trade Data System (ITDS), the company said in a press release. The company said it has worked closely with CBP on ITDS for years, it said. The effort to deploy ITDS recently gained momentum with the release of an Executive Order establishing a deadline for the completion of the long-awaited system (see 14021928), which is hoped to make it easier for importers to deal with multiple government agencies.
CBP shot down a protest of three denied drawback claims filed by a petroleum refiner and marketer due to the company's substitution of a finished product. CBP's March 6 ruling, HQ H024887, reviewed drawback claims filed by the refiner, Tesoro, in 2007. The drawback claims were on crude oil imported into the company's Washington facility because of exports of jet fuel refined from different crude oil at the company's Alaska refinery. CBP also looked at whether two separately incorporated refineries owned by Tesoro, should be considered as a single legal entity.
In the June 4 issue of the CBP Customs Bulletin (Vol. 48, No. 22), CBP published a notice that proposes to modify rulings and similar treatment for the tariff classification of "mi Jam" electronic drumsticks.
The Federal Maritime Commission should take a number of steps to help alleviate port congestion issues related to "unusual occurrences such as major force majeure events or labor-related difficulties," said the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America in a letter to agency Chairman Mario Cordero. As the possibility of strikes at the west coast ports increases, the FMC should consider putting in place procedures to help during port disruptions, said the NCBFAA. The group previously suggested the FMC take action on this but "we have not heard anything further concerning this and accordingly do not know whether the Commission has taken any steps to address this issue," the letter said.
Barnes & Thornburg added former Squire Sanders lawyer David Spooner as partner, said Barnes & Thornburg. Spooner, who is Washington counsel for the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, also previously worked as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration.
New lobbyist registrations on trade-related issues include: