CBP posted a draft update to the CBP and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) that includes the addition of a "Known Importer" indicator. The program, as suggested by the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, would allow brokers to flag entries for clients that have gone over a questionnaire providing to the broker various information on their importing practices (see 13041124). The flag is hoped to eventually allow the importer to obtain benefits from CBP, possibly including targeting. A CBP official recently said it would begin collecting such information in January (see 14091609). Earlier this year, NCBFAA asked CBP to create an entry flag for the program, which is an industry initiative rather than an official agency pilot (see 14041502).
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
Brenda Smith officially took over as the head of the CBP Office of International Trade after a Oct. 6 transition ceremony at CBP headquarters. CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske administered an oath of office to Smith during the ceremony. Smith last month was announced as the next assistant commissioner, replacing Rich DiNucci, who had been in the role in an "acting" capacity (see 14091218). Kerlikowske also announced that Sandra Bell will be Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Office of International Trade. Bell was executive director of Regulations and Rulings at CBP since 2006, during which she handled "the customs rulings program, civil administrative enforcement programs, rulemaking and information law, and legal decisions relating to navigation and border security issues administered by CBP," according to a CBP bio.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the Commerce Department posted to CBP's website Oct. 3, 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 issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of Oct. 6. This report (here) includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, and tobacco; and certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, OFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs, etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, OFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying textile articles and/or other articles; the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc.
CBP seized more than 200 counterfeit purses and about 50 packages of plastic building blocks at the Port of Houston, said CBP in a press release. The goods, originating from China, were manifested as bags, plastic toys and jewelry, but further inspection revealed counterfeit Prada, Christian Dior, Michael Kors handbags and cartons of plastic building blocks branded as Lego, it said. The goods, if real, would have an estimated manufacturer suggested retail price of over $500,000.
Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Oct. 4 with 64 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 183,984. The most recent ruling is dated 10/02/14.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
A listing of recent antidumping and countervailing duty messages from the Commerce Department posted to CBP's website Oct. 2, 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.