U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that the following vessel operating common carriers (VOCCs) have become Sea AMS operational:
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted to its Web site its quarterly report on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) entitled Report to Congress: The Automated Commercial Environment. This report is dated September 30, 2005 and covers the July 1, 2005 - September 30, 2005 period.
At its December 1, 2005 meeting, the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related Functions (COAC) presented its proposal for certain "green lane" benefits for Tier 3 Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) members.
Washington Trade Daily reports that there is a "new momentum" evidenced in this week's negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam on the bilateral market access agreement needed for the country's World Trade Organization (WTO) membership. The expectation is that work will accelerate in the coming weeks and that the two sides will meet again soon to continue discussions. In addition, Vietnam's National Assembly is working to pass much of the legislation needed for Vietnam to join the WTO. (WTD, dated 01/19/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
In the January 11, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 3), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify one portion of a valuation ruling relating to management fees and expenses. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions paid by the buyer of imported merchandise to a related company who was not the seller of the merchandise.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has updated certain of its posted information on various countries' implementation and enforcement of ISPM 15 treatment and marking requirements for wood packaging material (WPM).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began enforcing new quotas on certain textile and apparel products originating in China that are exported on or after January 1, 2006 in accordance with a recent U.S. and China textile agreement for the 2006 - 2008 period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Korea have agreed on an initial import protocol that will allow the U.S. to export boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age under a Beef Export Verification Program. Korea has prohibited imports of U.S. beef and beef products since December 2003. (USTR Press Release, dated 01/13/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/January/Secretary_Johanns_USTR_Portman_Welcome_Progress_to_Reopen_Korean_Market_to_US_Beef.html)
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations at 7 CFR Parts 319, 330, and 340 regarding the importation of nursery stock. Comments on the proposed rule are due by February 13, 2006.
In the January 4, 2006 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 40, No. 2), CBP issued a notice proposing to modify one classification ruling and proposing to revoke two classification rulings on certain textile braids with metallic strip. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in this notice.