CBP authorized the release of most types of merchandise on or after Dec. 16 through Dec. 31 under Immediate Delivery (ID) procedures, it said in a CSMS message. Many entry filers make regular use of ID procedures for fresh fruits and vegetables and other merchandise from Mexico and Canada, etc.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
The National Marine Fisheries Service is working with CBP and the government of New Zealand to deploy a sudden ban on imports of certain fish from the country in response to an order from the Court of International Trade (see 2211280053), it said in a notice released Dec. 16 outlining the new restrictions.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is extending tariff exclusions for 352 products from China that had been scheduled to expire on Dec. 31. Those exclusions will now last until Sept. 30 next year.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the weeks of Nov. 21-27 and Nov. 28 - Dec. 4:
Aluminum pair ramps imported by Central Purchasing, LLC (dba Harbor Freight Tools), are not covered by the scope of the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on aluminum extrusions from China (A-570-967/C-570-968), the Commerce Department said in a scope ruling dated Oct. 31. The ruling followed a February 2021 request from Harbor Freight to determine whether three models of aluminum pair ramps were covered by the orders.
CBP is imposing “immediate import restrictions on fish and fish products from the New Zealand inshore set net and trawl fisheries deployed in the range of the Maui dolphin” to implement a Court of International Trade injunction issued Nov. 28 (see 2211280053), the agency said in a CSMS message. “To effectuate the court order, snapper, tarakihi, spotted dogfish, trevally, warehou, hoki, barracouta, mullet, and gurnard fish and fish products imported into the United States” under a set of Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings listed in the CSMS message and “caught with a set net or trawl within the Maui dolphin range, are prohibited from entry into the United States,” CBP said. The National Marine Fisheries Service “is working with Government of New Zealand to establish Certificate of Admissibility procedures and additional details will be published when available,” the message said.
Colorado-based Ellab Inc. and its Danish parent company, Ellab A/S, paid the U.S. over $700,000 to settle charges that it failed to pay customs duties on imports of thermal validation equipment, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announced Dec. 1. The U.S. alleged Ellab failed to classify its imports and properly declare their value, neglecting to pay the full amount of the duties owed on the goods.
Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced a bill that would refund tariffs on imports that were hit with 25% tariffs during the Airbus-Boeing dispute, and also would prevent tariffs from being applied to goods on the water in the future.
CBP announced it will formally begin its long-planned pilot program to test use of global business identifiers to replace the manufacturer identification code (MID) on entry documentation. The Global Business Identifier Evaluative Proof of Concept (GBI EPoC) will begin Dec. 19, and CBP will begin accepting requests from customs brokers and importers to participate in the pilot on Dec. 2, the agency said in a notice.
CBP reminded importers that the second phase of the pocket bag fabric rule for apparel will take effect under USMCA on Jan. 1, extending the rule to apparel made from blue denim, in a CSMS message. “This provision applies to woven apparel goods of [Harmonized Tariff Schedule] Chapter 62 that are made of blue denim fabric of HTS subheadings 5209.42, 5211.42, 5212.24 and/or 5514.30, which contain a pocket or pockets,” CBP said. “If applicable, the pocket bag fabric must be formed and finished in the territory of one or more of the USMCA countries,” from yarn that “was wholly formed and finished in the territory of one or more of the USMCA countries.” The first phase of the rule -- which applies to apparel goods under chapters 61 and 62 of the tariff schedule that contain a pocket, but not to apparel of blue denim -- has been in effect since Jan. 1, 2022.