The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Dec. 28 - Jan. 3:
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for 2015 in case they were missed.
The International Trade Commission recently released the 2016 edition of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (here). The new HTS implements a recent presidential proclamation that terminated benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act for Burundi (see 1512220025). Other changes include the addition of several new schedule B numbers for heavy fuel oils, the addition of new tariff numbers for veal and vaping liquids, and a lower duty rate for some wood flooring panels. Most changes took effect Jan. 1.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 in case they were missed.
Some CBP ports are now processing importer-requested refunds for Generalized System of Preferences treatment collected during the program's lapse, said CBP in a CSMS message (here). The handling of the GSP refund requests from importers started at individual ports that completed the first two phases of retroactive duty refunds of duties on GSP-eligible merchandise. Other than resubmissions of claims, CBP will deny any refund requests submitted after Dec. 28, it said.
The U.S. Trade Representative announced it will begin a country practices review of worker rights in Thailand to determine whether to suspend or curtail the country’s Generalized System of Preferences benefits as part of USTR’s 2015 GSP Review, it said in a notice (here). USTR also said it recently ended a country practices review of Philippines, also for worker rights, with no change to its GSP benefits. USTR will hold a hearing Jan 14-15 on its GSP country practice review of Thailand, as well as ongoing country practice reviews on Fiji (worker rights), Ecuador (arbitral awards), Georgia (worker rights), Iraq (worker rights), Iraq (worker rights), Niger (worker rights and child labor), and Uzbekistan (worker rights). Pre-hearing briefs and requests to appear at the hearing are due Jan. 4, and post-hearing briefs are due Feb. 12.
Some 19 products look set to exceed competitive need limitations (CNLs) for calendar year 2015 and lose their eligibility for duty-free access under the Generalized System of Preferences, said the U.S. Trade Representative as it announced the availability of new import data on Nov. 16 (here). The agency’s notice (here) also extended until Dec. 4 the deadline for submission of petitions to waive CNLs and keep those goods GSP-eligible. The deadline was originally Nov. 23 (see 1508180027). Products that may exceed CNL waivers in 2015 include the following:
The U.S. and the other 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership parties as expected locked down several flexibilities to the yarn forward rule of origin in the final text of the pact, including an exemption for travel goods and an earned income allowance program for Vietnamese trouser trade. But the outcome on textiles and apparel reflects a genuine compromise between the interests of U.S. domestic producers and importers, and all sides have tentatively applauded the deal, according to interviews with a number of textile and apparel lobbyists.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative appointed Bill Jackson, the current deputy assistant USTR for the Generalized System of Preferences, as acting assistant USTR for textiles, the National Council of Textile Organizations said on Oct. 30. USTR didn't respond for comment. Jackson's appointment follows the departure of former assistant USTR for textiles, Gail Strickler, earlier in October (see 1510130013).
Customs Reauthorization negotiations would be one of the top priorities of the House Ways and Means under the leadership of Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi, R-Ohio, should lawmakers elect him as full committee chair, Tiberi told Ways and Means lawmakers in a letter released on Oct. 29. Tiberi is vying for the top committee spot alongside Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas (see 1510270004). The House Republican Steering Committee (here), which includes Tiberi and other heavy-weights in the Republican conference, elects the new chairman and the full conference then must give its ratification.