The CBP Office of Field Operations will use a division focused on shipping rules "to present a uniformed approach on issues involving the Jones Act," a CBP spokeswoman said. The new National Jones Act Division of Enforcement (JADE) will "assist CBP and industry partners on issues concerning coastwise trade, with the goal of being a clearinghouse for all coastwise trade issues," she said. "All formal ruling requests will continue to be forwarded to Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade. The JADE will be located within the New Orleans Field Office and will be staffed by a team of subject matter experts (SMEs) to assist industry partners with questions and concerns on issues involving coastwise trade. The JADE will work in partnership with industry stakeholders in the enforcement of the Jones Act, along with all other coastwise trade laws. As an advocate for coastwise trade, the JADE [will] be available for outreach presentations to industry partners on the subject of coastwise trade." Industry can contact the JADE via email at jonesact@cbp.dhs.gov about coastwise trade issues.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the Commerce Department posted to CBP's website July 18, 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 http://adcvd.cbp.dhs.gov/adcvdweb.
Mark Koumans became assistant commissioner for the Office of International Affairs, effective May 31, CBP said in a news release (here). Koumans was previously deputy assistant secretary for international affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, but began working with CBP doing the duties of the office after the previous assistant commissioner, Charles Stallworth, retired (see 1601130053).
CBP will create a Forced Labor Working Group within CBP’s Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC), a CBP spokeswoman said by email on July 19. "This COAC Working Group comprises members from retail, seafood, and other key industries, along with experts in global human rights and supply chain integrity, and will enable CBP to more effectively and fairly enforce this important law," she said. The working group will help to improve communications between the agency and industry related to the end of the "consumptive demand" loophole for imports suspected of being made through forced labor, she said. The agency is "working with industry, civil society organizations, and others to rigorously enforce the law and prevent the import of goods made with forced, convict, or child labor into the United States," the spokeswoman said. "Key to this effort is ensuring that industry and civil society alike are clear on their obligations under the law, CBP’s standards for allegations and appeals, and how to ensure integrity in the global labor and supply chain." Lawmakers recently pushed CBP to revise its regulations on investigating forced labor imports (see 1607150042). The COAC next meets July 27 (see 1607080003).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the Commerce Department posted to CBP's website July 15, 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 http://adcvd.cbp.dhs.gov/adcvdweb.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske discussed trade facilitation and enforcement issues during World Customs Organization Council sessions on July 16, CBP said in a news release (here). Kerlikowske headed the U.S. delegation for the meetings, where he "endorsed the WCO Council Resolution on the Role of Customs in Preventing Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Objects," CBP said.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP created Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1608 on July 14, the agency said in a CSMS message (here). The changes, which were effective July 1, reflected the expanded Information Technology Agreement (see 1607050018) and other updates mentioned in a June 30 Presidential Proclamation (here), CBP said. A detailed list of adjustments made and the reasons for the changes is available through the International Trade Commission website (here), CBP said. Further information: Jennifer Keeling, Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov