CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 2406 on June 12, containing 7 Automated Broker Interface (ABI) records and 2 Harmonized Tariff Schedule records. The update includes an update to the Partner Government Agency (PGA) flag indicator (FD3) for FDA in support of the PGA message set, and it includes new Section 301 exclusions under subheading 9903.88.69 for articles of China that were extended from June 15, 2024, through May 31, 2025.
CBP unveiled a fact sheet on June 12 describing its activities and milestones that the agency reached in FY 2023. It said the U.S. processed over 1 billion de minimis shipments worth over $50 billion through postal, express, and non-express facilities. Within the de minimis program, CBP facilitated over 785 million transactions in Section 321 Data Pilot and Entry Type 86 Test, the fact sheet said.
The Court of International Trade on June 12 rejected customs broker Seko Customs Brokerage's motion for an expedited briefing schedule on its motion for an injunction in its suit against CBP's suspension of the company from participation in the Entry Type 86 and Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism programs (Seko Customs Brokerage v. U.S., CIT # 24-00097).
The Federal Maritime Commission recently sent the shipping and freight forwarding industry guidance about the FMC’s February final rule that set new demurrage and detention billing requirements (see 2402230049). The six-page document, provided to us by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, includes 19 frequently asked questions and answers related to the rule, covering questions including timelines for disputing detention and demurrage invoices issued by ocean carriers and terminal operators, extended dwell fees assessed by U.S. ports and the definition of “billed party.”
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.
The trade is watching whether more than 9,000 Canada Border Service Agency workers will go on strike on Wednesday should the impasse on labor contract negotiations continue.
Customs broker Seko Logistics asked the Court of International Trade on June 7 for expedited briefing in its suit against CBP's suspension of the company from Type 86 filing and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. Seko said greater delay in the case "deprives the requested relief of much of its value" and sets "extraordinary hardship" on the broker (Seko Customs Brokerage v. U.S., CIT # 24-00097).
A bipartisan pair in the Senate is in the early stages of writing a trade facilitation bill, which is intended to build on CBP's 21st Century Customs Framework -- an approach that trade professionals felt was too focused on enforcement, and neglected trade facilitation.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet June 26 remotely and in person in Long Beach, California, CBP said in a notice. Comments are due by June 21.
False consignee addresses and vague descriptions of products are beginning to be flagged by CBP, as the agency tries to wrap its arms around the flood de minimis packages -- and CBP's insistence on better labeling is spreading to other modes of entry as well, Flexport customs experts said.