The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America filed a petition for reconsideration with the Federal Communications Commission over recent agency rule changes involving radiofrequency device imports.

CBP issued a long awaited final rule to make various changes to the in-bond regulations. "The changes in this rule, including the automation of the in-bond process, will enhance CBP’s ability to regulate and track in-bond merchandise and ensure that in-bond merchandise is properly entered or exported," it said. The final rule includes several changes from the proposal, which CBP issued in 2012.

CBP will postpone until Dec. 9 the mandatory use date for e214 foreign-trade zones admissions in ACE, Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Government Affairs Conference on Sept. 11 in Washington. The delay of the deadline, previously set for Sept. 16, comes in response to concerns from industry, McAleenan said. CBP will make a formal announcement on Sept. 11, he said.

The trade community should plan for the Port of Houston and other ports affected by Hurricane Harvey to be closed for the “foreseeable future,” and start sending cargo to other ports until damage from the storm can be fully assessed, said Gary Schreffler, acting chief of CBP’s Cargo Control & Release Branch, during a call held Aug. 29. Recent guidance issued by CBP requesting diversion of cargo to other ports applies only for the short term, affecting shipments already on the water. Shipments leaving ports now should find other destinations, as affected ports could be closed for a month or more, he said.

The addition of seats to a cargo van and their removal immediately after importation constitutes “legitimate tariff engineering” to obtain a lower duty rate applicable to passenger vehicles, said the Court of International Trade in an Aug. 9 decision that was released the evening of Aug. 16. Tariff classification is determined based on an article’s condition at the time of importation, and the steps Ford took to manufacture its Ford Transit Connect vans after importation are irrelevant to the classification analysis, CIT said.

CBP released a revised schedule for deploying post-release capabilities in ACE in a July 27 CSMS message. The agency will separate out the collections functionalities and "deploy the other post release capabilities of ACE core using a phased approach," said CBP.

The U.S. Trade Representative is authorizing duty free treatment for certain travel goods of heading 4202 under the Generalized System of Preferences, it said in a list of the results of its 2016-2017 GSP Review (here). The list also includes USTR’s decisions to add other products to GSP, including certain rolled grains and essential oils of lemon, as well as USTR’s decisions on competitive need limitation and de minimis waivers. The changes take effect July 1.

CBP again postponed its last major ACE deployment for post-release capabilities that was scheduled for July 8, it said in a June 27 CSMS message (here). "We have been conducting ongoing, rigorous testing to ensure these capabilities will operate successfully," said CBP. "Our latest efforts have revealed areas specific to collections that are in need of further testing before these capabilities can be deployed. Consequently, we are postponing the July 8, 2017 deployment, and are in the process of replanning. We will communicate further information as soon as possible."

The World Customs Organization on June 14 released its latest tariff classification rulings, as well as changes to the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes and amendments to the WCO Compendium of Classification Opinions, from the 59th session of the Harmonized System Committee in March (here). Importers and exporters should verify implementation of these decisions in the relevant country before relying upon them, the WCO said.

First-time importers and importers delinquent on antidumping and countervailing duties may be subject to enhanced bonding and “other legal measures,” under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on March 31 (here).