CBP said it created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1507 on Oct. 7, containing 1,101 ABI records and 224 harmonized tariff records. The update includes the addition of Partner Government Agency indicators for future Lacey Act submissions, said CBP (here). Other changes are related to a recent presidential proclamation on Generalized System of Preferences product eligibility (see 1510010030). Adjustments required for the verification of the 2015 Harmonized Tariff Schedule are also included, CBP said in a CSMS message. The modified records can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Sept. 28 - Oct. 2 in case they were missed.
The Obama administration announced the results of its 2014 Generalized System of Preferences review on Sept. 30, making a number of changes, effective Oct. 1, to product eligibility in the program. President Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation (here) to implement those changes. The proclamation wraps up the shortened 2014 GSP review (see 1507060025).
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Sept. 21-27:
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Sept. 7-13:
The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety has inspected more than 75 percent of factories used by members over the past two years since U.S. companies formed the alliance, alongside other efforts to “create a safer environment for garment workers,” said the National Retail Federation, an alliance member, in an Sept. 8 statement (here). The alliance plans to deliver two “major” inspections to all 662 factories, NRF said. Member companies released a detailed progress report on Sept. 8 (here). Only six factories have passed final inspection, but factories have “completed between 20 and 80 percent of repairs,” said NRF. The Obama administration removed Bangladesh from the Generalized System of Preferences in September 2013 after a string of factory disasters in the country (see 13070202). The administration, at the outset of 2015, said Bangladesh continues to fall short of the progress needed for restoration of its GSP status (see 1501160042). Lawmakers enacted GSP renewal in June, and the legislation contained specific language to bar retroactivity for Bangladesh and Russia (see 1504200052).
The International Trade Commission on Aug. 31 released the public version of its report to the U.S. Trade Representative on potential changes to the Generalized System of Preferences program for 2014, it said in a press release (here). The report (here) includes data related to potential competitive need limitation (CNL) waivers for two products from Thailand under subheadings 2008.19.15 (coconuts, otherwise prepared or preserved, nesoi) and 7408.29.10 (copper alloys (o/than brass, cupro-nickel or nickel-silver), wire, coated or plated with metal), as well as on certain articles of cotton under headings 5201 and 5202 that may gain GSP eligibility. The report will inform USTR’s 2014 GSP Review (see 1507060025). The advice contained in the report is confidential.
The 2015 review of the Generalized System of Preferences gives stakeholders the opportunity to petition for inclusion of previously-banned travel goods in the GSP program, said the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) on Aug. 25 (here). The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently launched that process through a request for petitions and competitive need limitation waivers (see 1508180027).
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Aug. 17-21 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission is readying to release a public report in late August on the effects of waivers on competitive need limitations for two Thai products in the Generalized System of Preferences, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said. USTR is giving stakeholders seven calendar days after the release of the ITC report to comment on its contents, said the USTR notice (here).