International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for April 6-10 in case they were missed.
Notable CROSS rulings
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated March 31 (here) with 268 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 186,185. The most recent ruling is dated 03/31/15.
The European Union prefers mutual recognition for cross-sector regulations in a final Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, as opposed to harmonization of those regulations, said Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry John Cridland at the National Foreign Trade Council on March 24. Cridland hit back at concerns that big business wants to use the deal to lower standards.
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated March 13 (here) with 254 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 185,927. The most recent ruling is dated 03/11/15.
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Feb. 24 (here) with 91 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 185,681. The most recent ruling is dated 02/23/15.
President Barack Obama continued his offensive to secure Trade Promotion Authority in his weekly address on Feb. 22, saying U.S. trade pacts will build on rapid American job growth over recent months and years (here). Many observers expect lawmakers to introduce a TPA bill in the coming days, and Obama has lobbied repeatedly over recent weeks for that legislation (see 1502190016).
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Feb. 20 (here) with 275 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 185,593. The most recent ruling is dated 2/12/15.
Simplifying customs duty regimes for small business is one of the Computer & Communications Industry Association's five recommendations to improve Europe digital trade via the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. CCIA released a report with the recommendations in a news release (here). "Navigating the domestic Value Added Tax and customs duty regimes can be cost-prohibitive for small businesses that ship individual, low-value, goods," said the group (here). "Future trade agreements therefore need to ensure that customs processes are simple and efficient. Customs duty thresholds should support take-up of e-commerce opportunities. Regulatory regimes on parcel delivery should be fit for cross-border trade. Small businesses should also be able to benefit from the Authorized Economic Operator program, which helps streamline some transactions."
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Jan. 28 (here) with 107 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 185,321. The most recent ruling is dated 1/27/15.
The Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Jan. 23 (here) with 140 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 185,217. The most recent ruling is dated 1/21/15.