Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated May 6. The corresponding downloadable rulings are now available.
CBP plans to hold another Webinar focused on developing continuing education requirements for customs brokers on June 6, the agency said in a CSMS message. CBP will answer questions and give further clarifications on the initiative. CBP recently outlined plans for customs broker continuing education rules that would require brokers to complete 40 hours of education every three years to maintain an active license (see [Ref:13050222).
CBP released a Final Record of Decision (ROD) and some technical corrections to its Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for its Northern Border Activities. The ROD and corrections complete CBP's assessment potential environmental and socioeconomic effects associated with its ongoing and potential future activities along the border between the U.S. and Canada, covering about 4,000 miles from Maine to Washington and 100 miles south of the U.S.-Canada Border. The final ROD includes some changes that are a result of comments received on the draft ROD (see [Ref:12072610).
The Generalized Systems of Preferences (GSP) and Andean trade preference programs (ATPA/ATPDEA) are set to expire July 31, CBP said in messages posted on the website. "CBP has no information as to whether or not these preference programs will be renewed, and if they are renewed, whether there will be a lapse period, or whether there will be a retroactive clause providing for a refund of claims made during such a period," it said. "To receive the most timely information, you should consult the trade press, your business contacts and the Federal Register preview site."
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the International Trade Administration posted to CBP's website May 7, along with the case number(s) and CBP message number, is provided below. The messages are available by searching for the listed CBP message number at addcvd.cbp.gov. (CBP occasionally adds backdated messages without otherwise indicating which message was added. ITT will include a message date in parentheses in such cases.)
Modifications to CBP's Automated Commercial System will allow for electronic transmission of Agriculture Department sugar certificates, said CBP in a CSMS message. "This adjustment will decrease the verification time in processing quota sugar entry summaries; proven to be a tremendous benefit for both the Trade and CBP in ensuring fast and efficient release of merchandise," the agency said. Filers will have 30 days to begin sending the certificates in the Automated Broker Interface.
CBP made available a list of questions and answers from the agency's May 2 webinars describing early plans for potential continuing education requirements for customs brokers (see 13050222). The Q&A is (here).
Reusable collapsible wire containers used by Sumitomo Machinery of America are considered Instruments of International Traffic (IIT), CBP said in a May 6 ruling. Sumitomo sought CBP's opinion on whether the wire containers can be considered IITs and therefore exempted from entry filing requirements and duty payments and classified under subheading 9803.00.50 substantial containers or holders. The ruling, HQ H240539, said the carbon-steel containers meet the requirements for IIT designation.
CBP has posted the Spring 2013 issue of its Frontline magazine, CBP's quarterly magazine on border security.