Drawback filers should not file any USMCA drawback claims at this time, CBP said in a CSMS message. Some technical changes to ACE need to be made before CBP can accept USMCA claims, and the agency will send out another CSMS message when they have been deployed. “Please continue to file NAFTA drawback claims, if applicable, under the NAFTA requirements,” CBP said. Filers will not be allowed to commingle NAFTA and USMCA imports on the same drawback claim. “The date of entry determines which agreement controls, not the date of claim,” it said.
CBP issued an updated ACE deployment schedule that includes several additions related to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. A USMCA tariff schedule database and other updates will be deployed July 1, the date the deal enters into force, CBP said in the change log. In August, CBP will deploy reconciliation changes to prevent merchandise processing fee refunds. That deployment is likely necessary because the USMCA legislation didn't specifically allow for MPF refunds. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is working with Congress for a legislative fix, though CBP recommends delaying reconciliation filings if possible until the MPF issue is figured out (see 2006160046).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP released its long-awaited proposal to update customs broker regulations. Among other changes, CBP proposes to “update the responsible supervision and control oversight framework, ensure that customs business is conducted within the United States, and require that the customs broker have direct communication with the importer.” The regulatory changes were under government review for years (see 1804110024) following lengthy discussions about the updates (see 1510210017).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The government is considering how quickly it can get through a legislative fix to U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement implementation provisions that allow for duty refunds on post-importation preference claims, but not a refund of merchandise processing fees, said Maya Kumar, director of textiles and trade agreements at CBP. She said on May 22 that CBP officials “do not think that was the intent of the law.” Kumar, who was speaking at the National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones virtual conference, said that if it's at all possible, CBP would like to see that fixed by Congress before USMCA's entry into force July 1. “We’re trying to work with [the office of the U.S. Trade Representative] as well as Congress and see how quickly they can do that,” she said.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP will begin processing refunds for some substitution drawback claims involving internal revenue taxes, after the Court of International Trade on May 15 denied the government’s motion to stay its recent decision invalidating portions of CBP’s drawback regulations, pending an appeal to the Federal Circuit.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 27 - May 1 in case they were missed.