The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice requesting public comments by September 15, 2004 regarding a "commercial availability" petition it received under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) from Textiles Erre Emme Ltda of Bogota, Colombia:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site its "critical list" of textiles and apparel subject to import quotas with entered quantities 85% or more filled as of August 31, 2004. CBP states that this "critical list" may be used by CBP as a reference for releasing quota merchandise "off line" when the Automated Commercial System (ACS) is down for longer than four hours. CBP notes that textile and apparel merchandise for Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) countries cannot be released "off line" until it is processed through quota. CBP further notes that if the system is down for more than 24 hours, Headquarters Quota Branch should be contacted for further instructions. CBP also states that merchandise subject to tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), which are filled, may be released if entered under the "over quota" (high) rate of duty. (CBP's critical list, dated 08/31/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/textile_critical_list/)
In the August 25, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 35), CBP issued notices: (a) revoking a classification ruling on a miniature gardening tool set, (b) revoking a classification ruling on certain gas barbecue grills, and (c) revoking treatment regarding Durapore filtering material on rolls. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has issued a notice requesting public comments by September 15, 2004 regarding two "commercial availability" petitions it received under the U.S.-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) on behalf of Fishman & Tobin:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an updated (August 26, 2004) Industry Guidance which lists, and provides a written description for, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are flagged in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) entry system with imported food Prior Notice FD3 or FD4 indicators.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has issued an amending supplement (No. 5 dated February 2004) to the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes (ENs). (Although not binding on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the ENs are followed by CBP whenever possible.)
In the August 25, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 35), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke two classification rulings on certain massaging slippers, and (b) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on orthodontic cervical neck pads. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.
CBP Issues Proposed Interpretive Rule on Classification of Baseball-Style Caps with Ornamental Braid
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a proposed interpretive rule regarding the classification of baseball-style caps with ornamental braid. Comments on this proposed interpretive rule are due by October 26, 2004.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice stating that the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Implementation Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) is requesting written public comments by noon on September 17, 2004 for the annual review of the eligibility of sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries to receive the benefits of the AGOA.
August 18, 2004 CBP Bulletin Notices on Portable Locking Gun Cases and a Security Indicator Assembly
In the August 18, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 34), CBP issued notices: (a) revoking a classification ruling on portable locking gun cases, and (b) modifying a classification ruling on a security indicator assembly. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.