CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. CBP Updates ACE - Now Includes Direct Link to ITC for HTS

2. 2010 Preliminary TRQ on Tuna and Skipjack Opens January 4th

CBP has issued a memorandum announcing that the 2010 preliminary low-duty TRQ limit for tuna and skipjack, in airtight containers, not in oil, in containers, weighing with their contents not over 7 kg each, is 18,026,536 kg. This low-duty TRQ will open Monday, January 4, 2010, under opening moment procedures, with the high-duty tariff numbers and rates in effect for all entry/entry summaries.

The final low-duty TRQ limit will be provided to CBP by the National Marine Fisheries Service in March 2010. CBP will then issue proration and liquidation instructions to the field and trade. (See CBP's notice for applicable high-duty HTS numbers, instructions regarding withholding of liquidation and use of Holding Code 109, etc.) (QBT-09-615, dated 12/22/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2009/qbt_09_615.ctt/qbt_09_615.pdf)

3. CBP Says to Continue Use of "GSP SPI" if Programs Terminate Before Extension Enacted

CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that GSP, with special program indicators "A" and "A", ATPA, SPI "J," and the associated ATPDEA, SPI "J," are all due to expire for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse after midnight, December 31, 2009 if the bill extending them is not enacted before the deadline.

(Both the House and Senate have passed a GSP and ATPA/ATPDEA extension bill (H.R. 4284), clearing the measure for the President. The Obama Administration has already voiced support for an extension.)

Importers may continue to apply the GSP SPI on eligible goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse subsequent to midnight, December 31, 2009, but must pay the applicable normal trade relations (or column 1) rate of duty. This will enable CBP, in the event that GSP is reauthorized with retroactivity, to liquidate all such preference claims with a refund. (CSMS 09-000378, dated 12/23/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17775&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)

4. Client Representative Telephone Changes and Restoration

CBP has issued a CSMS messages stating that the Client Representative Outreach line and the Client Representative Team phone line have been restored to service. However, both numbers have been changed to reflect a transition from analog to digital phone lines. The Client Representative Outreach line has changed from 703-650-3500 to 571-468-5500, while the Client Representative Team phone line in Virginia has changed from 703-650-3560 to 571-468-5560.

Both of these phone changes are permanent. Callers will automatically be transferred to the new phone numbers for a period of 30 days. After that 30 day period, callers using the old phone numbers may not be able to contact CBP. Information located on CBP.gov will be updated to reflect these changes shortly. (CSMS 09-000381, dated 12/23/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17778&page=&srch_argv=09-000381&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)

5. Dulles Airport Granted Snow Day for December 21st

CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that due to the snow storm which impacted the D.C. area and the closure of the Dulles Cargo Branch on Monday, December 21, 2009, a snow day has been granted to all filers in the port of Washington D.C. (Dulles). CBP is extending an additional day without penalty for the filing and payment of entry summaries due on December 21, 2009 in the port of Washington D.C. (CSMS 09-000380, dated 12/23/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17777&page=&srch_argv=09-000380&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)

6. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List

CBP has posted an updated version of its TRQ/TPL "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor TRQs and TPLs that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low) rate. The list is divided into two sections - those that are at least 85% filled and those that are closed. (List, updated 12/23/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

7. CAMIR-Intermodal Amendment 21

CBP posted Amendment 21 to the Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements (CAMIR)-Intermodal. (Amendment, posted 12/23/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/automated_systems/ams/camir_intermodal/changes/change_21.ctt/change_21.doc)

8. Updated Air AMS Communication & Data Processing Services

CBP has posted an updated list of companies/persons offering air AMS data processing services to the trade community. (List, posted 12/23/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/automated_systems/ams/air_ams_data.ctt/air_ams_data.doc)

9. Updated Sea AMS Data Processing Service Providers List

CBP has posted an updated list of companies/persons offering Sea AMS data processing services to the trade community. (List, posted 12/23/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/automated_systems/ams/sea_processing_services.ctt/sea_vendor.doc)

10. CBP News Releases

CBP has issued the following news releases:

CBP Seizes $3.2 Million Worth of Belts with Counterfeit Design

CBP Agriculture Specialists Intercept Shipment of Spanish Olives Stuffed with Serrano Ham