The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued the final results of its countervailing (CV) duty administrative review of certain pasta from Italy for the period of January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004.
CBP CROSS Rulings
CBP issues binding advance rulings in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States. They issue the rulings to give the trade community transparency of how CBP will treat a prospective import or carrier transaction. Common rulings include the tariff classification, country of origin, or free trade agreement applicability of merchandise, among other things. These rulings are available in CBP's Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) database.
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)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published its semi-annual regulatory agenda, which contains certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulatory rulemakings (rulemakings).
In the June 21, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 26), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify two rulings regarding certain wire harnesses and their eligibility as originating goods under NAFTA. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a new informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Classification of Knit to Shape Garments under HTSUS Heading 6110.
The Treasury Department (Treasury) has published its semi-annual regulatory agenda, which contains certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulatory rulemakings.
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that it has just concluded the first round of negotiations with Malaysia on a U.S.-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), adding that the two countries are well-positioned to conclude talks by the end of the year. (USTR release, dated 06/16/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Transcripts/2006/June/asset_upload_file226_9567.pdf )
The State Department has published in the Federal Register a determination to continue the waiver authority granted under section 402 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Jackson-Vanik). (See today's ITT, 06061910, for BP summary on the introduction of legislation to authorize the President to remove Vietnam from Jackson-Vanik and grant Vietnam permanent normal trade relations (PNTR).) (Public Notice 5441, FR Pub 06/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9310.pdf.)
In the June 7, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 24), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify a rate of duty and NAFTA eligibility ruling on a sugar and gelatin blended in a foreign trade zone (FTZ). CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a proposed rule that would amend 8 CFR 274a.1(l) regarding the employment of aliens, to among other things, describe the legal obligations and safe harbor opportunities available in situations where an employer receives a "no-match letter" from the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stating that the combination of the name and social security number (SSN) submitted to the SSA for an employee does not match agency records