CBP CROSS Rulings

ShippersNewsWire reports that, among other things, the second draft of revised C-TPAT security standards for importers moves away from characterizing the measures as 'minimum standards' and instead says importers should apply various prescriptions based on an 'assessment of their risk.' The articles adds that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has circulated the draft among customs compliance managers at 16 major corporations, and is asking for comments by December 3, 2004. (ShippersNewsWire@americanshipper.com, dated 11/23/04)

In the November 17, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 47), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to modify two classification rulings on prepared slides, (b) revoking a classification ruling on textile/foam orthodontic cervical neck pads, and (c) revoking ten classification rulings on truck engine cooling fan clutches. CBP states that it is also revoking, or proposing to revoke, any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

In the November 10 and 17, 2004 issues of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 46 and 47), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on tennis balls, (b) modifying a valuation ruling on defective watches sent abroad for repair and then returned to the U.S., and (c) modifying a valuation ruling on used lacquer thinner recycled abroad and then returned to the U.S. CBP states that it is also revoking, or proposing to revoke, any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

In the November 10, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 46), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to modify a classification ruling on a "Safe Start IV Start Pak," and (b) proposing to modify a classification ruling on certain boys' athletic-type footwear. 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 these notices.

The following Bioterrorism Act-related documents have been posted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to their respective Web sites:

According to Shipper's NewsWire, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is continuing to work on a regulation mandating importers use tamper-evident, mechanical seals for all incoming ocean containers. The article notes that DHS is considering quickly implementing the same requirement for shippers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program as a temporary safeguard until a formal rulemaking is completed. The article also notes that real world testing of electronic seals and container security devices has not produced a silver bullet yet and that DHS officials state that if electronic surveillance technology is going to be relied upon, the integrity of the equipment needs to be as robust as possible before its use is required. According to the article, DHS officials also estimate that it will take another three years before it can endorse a container security device for limited deployment and five years for universal deployment on the millions of containers in the system. (See ITT's Online Archives or 11/15/04 news, 04111599 1 for previous BP summary on only the electronic seal or container security device aspect of this Shipper's NewsWire article.) (SNW dated 11/12/04, www.americanshippper.com.)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its fourth version (dated October 7, 2004) of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding its final rule requiring the advance electronic presentation of information for inbound air cargo.

In the November 3, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 45), CBP issued notices: (a) revoking two classification rulings on certain massaging slippers, and (b) revoking a classification ruling on certain DVDs. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

In ITT's 11/15/04 news, 04111505, Part I of BP's summary on U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) expanded and revised FAQ on mandatory advance electronic information requirements for truck cargo should refer to this FAQ as the "November 10, 2004" version (rather than the "October 10, 2004" version) in the first and third paragraphs. ITT's Online Archives have been corrected to reflect the correct November 10, 2004 date.

In the November 3, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 45), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke two classification rulings on certain dinnerware (stoneware, flatware, and glassware) sets, and (b) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on two chemically modified starch products. 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 these notices.