CBP Administrative Messages, Web Postings, Etc.
In a June 13, 2006 address to the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Basham made it clear that under his leadership, CBP will continue to partner with the private sector and the global trade community to secure and facilitate trade and travel. Commissioner Basham again noted his belief that the course set by former Commissioner Bonner is the right course. (CBP Statement, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/commissioner/speeches_statements/aaei_conference.xml)
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1. Commissioner Basham Affirms CBP's Continued Partnership With Trade
2. June 29th Opening of 180-Day Special Import Quota for Upland Cotton (Announcement Number 19)
CBP has posted to its Web site a notice announcing a "weekly" special import quota of 23,905,847 kg for upland cotton purchased not later than September 26, 2006 and entered under HTS 9903.52.19. The quota period is June 29, 2006 through December 25, 2006; the opening date is June 29, 2006 at 1:00 p.m., or its equivalent in other time zones.
According to CBP, the use of the "special import quota" is at the importer's option and is not subject to the tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) in HTS Chapter 52 Additional U.S. Notes (AUSNs) 5 through 10. CBP has previously stated that these 180-day quotas are established pursuant to a 1991 Presidential Proclamation, are "triggered" by high C.I.F Northern European cotton prices, and are provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter III, U.S. Note 6. (See notice for special instructions concerning the requirement for an original foreign government certificate and a certification by the importer.) (QBT-06-531, dated 06/23/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2006/06_531.ctt/06_531.doc)
3. CAFTA-DR Short Supply Designation for Certain Apparel Made from Cotton Flannel Fabrics
CBP has posted TBT-06-011 regarding the Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreement's (CITA's) determination that certain 100% cotton flannel fabrics classified in HTS 5208.43.00 are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) region.
CBP states that these cotton flannel fabrics are being added to the list of fabrics, yarns, and fibers in Annex 3.25 that the parties to the CAFTA-DR have determined are not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in the territory of any party. Articles that otherwise meet the rule of origin to qualify for preferential treatment are not disqualified because they contain one of the products on the Annex 3.25 list. (TBT-06-011, dated 06/09/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/tbts/tbt2006/tbt_06_011.ctt/tbt_06_011.doc)
4. Various CBP Web Postings
SENTRI information. CBP has posted a posted an information sheet about Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), which provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. (CBP information, dated 06/22/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/sentri.xml)
National workload statistics. CBP has issued a document entitled "National Workload Statistics" which details the number of passengers, commercial/private planes, autos, rail containers, truck containers, passenger vessels, vessel containers, etc. that were processed in fiscal years 2000-2005. (CBP document, dated 05/25/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/accomplish/national_workload_stats.xml)
CBP announces change to procedures for bicyclists entering Calexico. CBP has issued a press release announcing that beginning June 25, 2006, the entry procedures for bicyclists at the port of Calexico are changing. (CBP press release, dated 06/21/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06212006_2.xml)
Enforcement of IPR. CBP has issued a press release announcing its support for a joint U.S.-European Union action strategy for intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement. (CBP press release, dated 06/23/06, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/06232006.xml)
5. Miscellaneous CBP Messages on AD and CV Duty Actions
CBP has issued messages on a number of antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duty actions, many of which (marked by an * in the action column) were previously published in the Federal Register by the International Trade Administration (ITA) and summarized in International Trade Today.
(The CBP messages marked with an * cover much of the same information as the ITA notices; however, CBP's messages often list the 10-character case number specific to each listed company(s) (see CBP messages for 10-character case number). ITA notices only list the 7-character master case number. In addition, sometimes the master case number for CBP purposes (in parentheses, below, where applicable) differs from the ITA master case number.)
The administrative messages listed above are availablefrom http://www.brokerpower.net/admin_messages/ (and can be searched by message number, country, product, etc.).