A machine used for mining cryptocurrency differs from computers and other electronics classified as automatic data processing machines, CBP said in an April 30 ruling. Coinmint, which imported a Bitmain Antminer S9 Bitcoin Miner in 2016, requested a CBP ruling after the agency liquidated the entry under subheading 8543.70.99, which provides for “Electrical machines and apparatus, having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof: Other machines and apparatus: Other: Other: Other.” The company said the mining machine should be classified as an ADP machine.
CBP should develop a new electronic platform incorporating its e-recordation system to improve intellectual property rights enforcement through better targeting and communication, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee said in recommendations adopted at the April 15 COAC meeting.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet April 15, remotely, beginning at 1 p.m., CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by April 14.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 2-6 in case they were missed.
CBP found “success and value” from its recent “proof of concept” that looked at the use of blockchain to track intellectual property license information, said Vincent Annunziato, director of CBP’s business transformation office, in an agency report on the test. This test, which was the second POC so far (see 1910080034), involved an increase in complexity over the previous POC, the report said. “The Business Transformation and Innovation Division (BTID) recommends moving forward with maturing these tests as we take on the mission of re-engineering the supply chain in a 21st century world,” he said.
CBP recently completed the blockchain proof of concept involving intellectual property rights, the agency said in a news release. “Supporting American innovation and ingenuity by upholding intellectual property rights has always been a critical part of the CBP mission,” said Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Trade. “This pilot represents great potential for marrying new technology with our traditional trade mission; to protect the US economy.” The test involved connecting the “data correctly to the product and to the license, resulting in fewer physical examinations,” CBP said. “This was accomplished via blockchain interoperability, which means that each organization participating in a transaction can communicate with others using their unique blockchain, regardless of different software used by each party, allowing companies the flexibility to select and customize technology that suits their unique needs.” This was the first test of “standards and specifications to facilitate blockchain interoperability using open, standardized approaches,” which will “help create a framework for rapid adoption and cost reduction,” it said. “These specifications were funded by the DHS Science & Technology Directorate and tested by CBP’s Office of Trade and contributed to the global standardization process at the World Wide Web Consortium.”
The Food and Drug Administration should harness blockchain, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to address food safety issues in quickly evolving supply chains, and customs brokers will play a central role in facilitating adoption and the correct use of these new technologies by smaller and medium-sized operations, the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in comments recently submitted to FDA.
Transmute Industries will develop a “proof-of-concept application” for CBP meant to help track imports of raw materials under a $198,642 award from the federal government, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) said in a Nov. 8 news release. S&T is looking at the possibility of using blockchain to “issue credentials digitally to enhance security, ensure interoperability and prevent forgery and counterfeiting,” it said. The award is the latest of several efforts by the government examining a role for blockchain within customs, including a collaboration with University of Houston and Texas A&M University (see 1910160023).
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m., in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Brokers may still have a role in a blockchain world, but the profession could be different, and brokers need a seat at the table if they’re going to successfully transition, said government and industry officials during a panel discussion at the Western Cargo Conference (Wesccon) on Oct. 11.