CBP has issued a CSMS message reminding the trade that the closing of the CBP Drawback Center located at the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach becomes effective June 4, 2010. Any drawback claim filed on or after June 4, 2010 must be filed at one of the remaining four CBP Drawback Centers. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/05/10 news, 10050519, for BP summary announcing the closure.) (CSMS #10-000134)
On May 20, 2010, the House Ways and Means Committee’s Trade Subcommittee held a hearing on Customs Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement. The Customs Commissioner and other government witnesses presented testimony and answered questions. Highlights of what was covered include:
Minutes from the March 9, 2010 through April 20, 2010 meetings of the COAC Trade Facilitation Subcommittee have recently been posted to CBP’s Web site. During these meetings, the Subcommittee addressed a number of trade facilitation issues, highlights of which include:
Brazil has announced various measures to increase the competitiveness of its exports, including creation of a national export-import bank, expediting the return of export credits against PIS and COFINS taxes, broadening incentives on drawback exports, etc. (Press release, in Portuguese, dated 05/05/10, available at http://www.mdic.gov.br/sitio/interna/noticia.php?area=5¬icia=9798)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a final rule that will amend its regulations, effective June 4, 2010, to reflect the closure of the Port of Los Angeles-Long Beach Drawback Center.
The Treasury Department has published its spring 2010 semi-annual regulatory agenda for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Department of Homeland Security has published its spring 2010 semi-annual regulatory agenda for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
On April 8, 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection held a webinar that provided an update on Automated Commercial Environment and the International Trade Data System “Concept of Operations”.
Legislation to reauthorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expected to be a priority for the Senate Finance Committees in summer 2010.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2009 which includes information on CBP's material weaknesses and instances of nonconformance, its progress in achieving its strategic goals, certain budget information, etc.