CBP CROSS Rulings

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called for a "legislative fix" to the de minimis exception "and the exploitation of that exception," the first time the administration has clearly said it hopes Congress will restrict the program that allows purchasers to import up to $800 worth of goods per day without paying tariffs.

Public comments are due by Aug. 8 on a USDA proposed rule that could raise the Agricultural Marketing Service’s research and promotion program import fees for certain watermelon imports. People and companies that import 150,000 pounds or more annually of watermelons would be required to pay “nine cents per hundredweight” of watermelons, USDA said, up from the current "six cents per hundredweight." The agency said those fees are usually paid to CBP upon entry.

Even though two jacket styles produced by manufacturer and supplier Youngone El Salvador met the tariff shift requirement of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), the jackets still aren't eligible for preferential tariff treatment because the visible lining was formed and finished in a country outside of member countries with the CAFTA-DR, CBP ruled recently.

Shipping, trucking and freight forwarding associations urged the Federal Maritime Commission to reject a request from a group of major ocean carriers seeking to push back the effective date of the FMC’s new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2402230049), saying in public comments to the commission that the delay would cause widespread confusion within the shipping industry. But two of those groups said the FMC should at least consider giving the industry more time to adapt to the rules before punishing violators with fines.

One of the biggest issues that EPA inspectors face when overseeing vehicles and motorized engine imports is coming across vehicles that are not compliant with emissions standards and may have emissions controls missing, an EPA enforcement inspector said during a presentation last week held jointly by EPA and NCBFAA.

In the July 3 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 58, No. 26), CBP published a proposal to revoke or modify eight ruling letters, all of which concern the tariff classification of composite goods with the essential character of permanent magnets under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

CBP has released its July 3 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 58, No. 26). It contains two notices of final determinations, one on UPanelS LED display panels and another on thermal printers. There also is a proposed modification of four ruling letters relating to the tariff classification of certain composite goods with the essential character of permanent magnets.

CBP rejected children’s product manufacturer Summer Infant’s claims that its Learn-to-Sit booster seats should be classified as traditional booster seats. As a result, the Learn-to-Sit booster seats are subject to Section 301 duties, according to a recent ruling released by CBP June 14.

International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.

Changes to the USMCA rules of origin (ROOs) have "had a positive economic impact on the U.S. and North American auto industry, although with some challenges in implementation and new challenges emerging," according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The USTR report to Congress, mandated by Congress when NAFTA was rewritten, noted that carmakers "are still adjusting to the full scope of USMCA’s autos rules," with 13 entities given extended time to meet the stricter rules, at least for some models.