On June 6, 2006, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5441, the fiscal year (FY) 2007 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/09/06 news, 06060905, for BP summary.)
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.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a press release announcing that FMC Chairman Steven R. Blust has announced that he intends to leave the FMC after the completion of his current term, once his replacement nominee has been confirmed by the Senate. The press release notes that Chairman Blust's term officially ends on June 30, 2006. (FMC press release NR-03, dated 06/13/06, available at http://www.fmc.gov/speeches/newsrelease.asp?SPEECH_ID=220.)
Shippers' NewsWire has reported that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is planning to issue a proposed rule that would free up licensing requirements on numerous U.S. exports to China, while maintaining restrictions on dual-use items. According to the report, the proposed rule will be published soon and will be followed by a 120-day comment period. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 06/12/06, www.americanshipper.com)
In the June 7, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 24), CBP issued notices modifying three classification rulings and revoking one classification ruling on certain stainless steel measuring spoons. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
At a recent presentation before the trade, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) National Import Specialist (NIS) for men's knit & woven apparel issued a handout entitled "Chapter 61 Statistical Note 6: Knit to Shape Garments, A Review," which provides guidance on the classification of knit-to-shape garments under HTS Chapter 61, Statistical Note 6.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a final report to the President in connection with its investigation of proposed modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) that are expected to take effect on January 1, 2007.
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: Base Metal Mountings and Fittings.
In the June 7, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 24), CBP issued notices: (a) modifying a classification ruling on necklaces of plastic beads with metallic paint, and (b) revoking a classification ruling on a certain base metal medallion. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted five recently reviewed Informed Compliance Publications (ICPs), with June 2006 updates, to its web site.
Pursuant to the Offset Act1, also known as the Byrd Amendment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice in the Federal Register of its intent to distribute assessed antidumping (AD) or countervailing (CV) duties for Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. Written certifications to obtain a continued dumping and subsidy offset under a particular AD/CV order must be received by July 31, 2006.