Customs reauthorization legislation introduced in the Senate March 22 is already garnering support from some in the industry, who say the bipartisan bill, combined with progress on the two House customs bills introduced last term, proves Congress is committed to CBP reauthorization this year. Sponsored by Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, the Senate bill “contains several measures that will build on recent progress in improving CBP’s approach to trade facilitation and bringing a better balance to the agency by widening their focus beyond a narrow approach to security,” said Mike Mullen, executive director of the Express Association of America. Mullen praised the bill’s inclusion of trusted trader programs -- which he said will forge a more secure trading environment -- the planned strengthening of the trade advocate position, and the proposed $800 de minimis level. (See 13032610 and 13032701 for more on the Senate bill).
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the countervailing duty administrative review of corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from South Korea (A-580-818). All three reviewed companies received de minimis CV rates, so entries of subject merchandise produced and exported by these companies will be liquidated without regard to CV duties. Also, because the ITA recently revoked the CV duty order on corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea effective Feb. 14, 2012 (see 13031815), CV duty cash deposits will not be required on entries of subject merchandise.
The CBP reauthorization legislation introduced March 22 by Senate Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, largely follows the path laid by previous CBP bills introduced in the House and Senate, including provisions to reorganize the agency and solidify trade as a key part of its mission. The new legislation is similar to last year’s House bills, Republicans’ HR-6642 and Democrats’ HR-6656, and the 2009 CBP reauthorization bill introduced by Baucus and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, which never made it out of committee (here).
Senate Finance Committee leaders introduced legislation to reauthorize CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement March 22. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2013 establishes and fully authorizes CBP and ICE, and makes “trade facilitation and trade enforcement a top priority for each agency,” according to a summary of the bill from the Committee.
The International Trade Administration posted to its website the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review and new shipper reviews of frozen fish fillets from Vietnam (A-552-801). The new shipper reviews covered three companies: An Phu Seafood, Docifish, and An Phat Import-Export Seafood / Godaco Seafood. Two companies requested company-specific revocation -- Vinh Hoan and QVD Food Company -- but the ITA declined to revoke because neither company received three consecutive zero or de minimis AD rates. The effective date of the AD cash deposit rates calculated in these final results will be the date of publication in the Federal Register, which is as yet unknown.
CBP posted a document to its website that provides side-by-side comparisons of 20 U.S. free trade agreements and preferential trade programs. This updated version adds information from the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (PATPA), which was implemented in October (see 12103121).
The U.S. Trade Representative is seeking comments on potential changes to competitive need limitations under the Generalized System of Preferences program. Comments can be submitted on:
The International Trade Administration issued the final results of the antidumping duty administrative review of corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from South Korea (A-580-816), making changes to its preliminary calculations that resulted in above-de minimis AD rates for six companies. HYSCO retained its zero rate from the preliminary results, and its entries will not be subject to assessment of AD duties or AD cash deposits The new rate is effective March 14, and will be implemented by CBP soon.
The International Trade Administration made a preliminary affirmative determination that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of hardwood and decorative plywood from China (C-570-987). The ITA found preliminary CV rates of de minimis to 27.16 percent. Effective March 14, CBP will suspend liquidation of entries of subject merchandise and collect CV duty cash deposits, with the exception of entries of merchandise produced and exported by three companies -- Dongfang, San Fortune, and Shanghai Senda -- that received preliminary de minimis rates.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for March 4-8 in case they were missed.