In the May 24, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 22), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify two classification rulings and revoke one classification ruling on snack mixes. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
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.
Sources at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have stated that they expect the U.S. to sign the bilateral World Trade Organization (WTO) accession agreement on market access with Vietnam after the Senate confirms Schwab as the new USTR. According to Washington Trade Daily, Schwab was not confirmed by the Senate (as expected) on Friday, May 26, 2006 due to a "hold" imposed by one Senator regarding an issue unrelated to her nomination. (WTD, dated 05/29/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
In California Industrial Products, Inc. v. United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that based upon Customs' prior favorable treatment of substantially identical transactions and its failure to conduct notice and comment proceedings before changing that prior treatment, CIP was entitled to substitution manufacturing drawback (19 USC 1313(b)) on its steel scrap exports.
In the May 24, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 22), CBP issued a notice modifying a classification ruling on steel tubes prepared for use as fence posts. 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 issued a revised version of its informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Classification of Molds and Their Parts Under the HTS.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a revised informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, "What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Works of Art, Collector's Pieces, Antiques, and Other Cultural Property." According to CBP, this revised ICP is an aid to prospective importers as to the admissibility of and duty status of various artworks.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has made a final affirmative antidumping (AD) duty determination that certain diamond sawblades and parts thereof from Korea are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
In the May 17, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 21), CBP issued notices: (1) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on two models of electrode steam humidifiers, and (2) revoking a classification ruling on a short-sleeved batting jacket. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke, or is revoking, any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has made a final affirmative antidumping (AD) duty determination that certain diamond sawblades and parts thereof from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
During the May 16, 2006 meeting of the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Treasury officials discussed a variety of trade issues with COAC, highlights of which are provided below: