Washington Trade Daily reports that the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee has said that in June 2004 he hopes to move on legislation (S. 1900) to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade preferences program. According to the article, both the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee are committed to moving AGOA legislation; however, they have not yet decided how to handle extension of the special third-country fabric provision. (WTD dated 05/05/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
CBP CROSS Rulings
CBP issues binding advance rulings in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States. They issue the rulings to give the trade community transparency of how CBP will treat a prospective import or carrier transaction. Common rulings include the tariff classification, country of origin, or free trade agreement applicability of merchandise, among other things. These rulings are available in CBP's Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) database.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing that it has issued the second edition of its Questions and Answers (Q&A) on the prior notice requirement for imported food. This revised guidance is entitled "Questions and Answers Regarding the Interim Final Rule on Prior Notice of Imported Food (Edition 2)" and is dated May 2004.
The Journal of Commerce reports that the U.S. may have to drop 27% duties on Canadian lumber shipments after a NAFTA binational panel ruled that the U.S. International Trade Commission's finding that tariffs are needed because Canadian imports push down prices "is not supported by substantial evidence." According to the article, the U.S. has 21 days to redo its figures or end the duties. (JoC dated 04/30/04, www.joc.com.)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule which would institute new requirements for persons who use sampling services and private laboratories in connection with imported food subject to an FDA enforcement action, such as refusal of imports, product seizure, or issuance of an injunction.
The ITA states that it will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assess AD duties, in line with the 2.57% corrected AD rate, on all appropriate entries.
In the April 21, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 17), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify a ruling regarding the country of origin marking for Italian-origin jewelry chains and clasps assembled in the U.S. CBP states that it is also proposing to modify any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in this notice.
In the April 21, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 17), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying or revoking four classification rulings on glass-beaded artificial fruit and foliage, and (b) modifying a classification ruling on ink jet printer cartridges. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.
On April 1, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a first set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding the mandatory advance electronic information requirements for inbound air cargo.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site an April 16, 2004 revised set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses regarding the implementation of its final rule on the presentation of cargo manifests to CBP 24 hours prior to ocean vessel lading at foreign ports (24-Hour Rule).
On April 1, 2004, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a first set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding the mandatory advance electronic information requirements for inbound air cargo.