Shippers NewsWire reports that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have stated that Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is evolving from a purely voluntary program in which industry adopts recommended supply chain practices to one in which participation will be based on minimum security standards. DHS sources also noted that C-TPAT will transition to a "universal requirement for the whole industry." According to the article, some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are indicating that the new C-TPAT rules could be implemented within 30 days. (Shippers NewsWire dated 10/19/04, www.americanshipper.com)
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 the October 13, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 42), CBP issued notices: (a) revoking or modifying two classification rulings on certain towelettes, (b) revoking a classification ruling on calibration lamps, and (c) revoking a classification ruling on aero-derivative gas turbines. 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 the October 13, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 42), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling and modify two classification rulings on certain hats of fine animal hair, and (b) proposing to modify a classification ruling on the glass article in drink mix kits. 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 Canadian Government has issued a press release announcing that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has reached a tentative collective agreement with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC). The press release quotes Minister of National Revenue John McCallum as stating that this is a welcome development and that he is confident that it will bring an end to the strike activities that have been taking place since early September 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/18/04 news, 04101899 1, for BP summary on the strike activities of Canadian public servants.) (CRA press release, dated 10/13/04, available at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/newsroom/releases/2004/oct/1013agreement-e.html )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice that informs truck carriers of the new advance cargo manifest requirements for inbound truck cargo, which will take effect November 15, 2004 at 40 ports. According to the notice and CBP sources, for these initial 40 ports, as of November 15, 2004, any Border Release Advance Screening and Selectivity (BRASS) shipment that is not being hauled by a FAST registered driver will be denied entry into the U.S. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/18/04 news, 04081805, for BP summary of CBP's August 17, 2004 notice announcing the staggered compliance dates for the mandatory advance electronic information requirements for inbound truck cargo. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/30/04 news, 04093070, 1, for BP summary of CBP's handout that will be distributed to trucks in the event of noncompliance with these new requirements.) (CBP's notice available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/fast/fast_truck_req.ctt/fast_truck_req.doc.)
In the October 13, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 42), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on plastic light clips and hooks, and (b) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on tattoo needles. 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.
As required by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (P.L. 107-228), the Census Bureau has been developing regulations to mandate filing through the Automated Export System (AES) of all exports that require Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) information.
In the October 6, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 41), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on certain combination stereos incorporating a dual cassette deck, and (b) revoking a classification ruling on textile pillow covers with zipper closures. 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.
American Shipper reports that the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has decided to hold a public meeting on October 27, 2004 to discuss the various petitions and comments made by non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) requesting tariff exemptions to allow them to have confidential service contracts with shippers. (ShippersNewsWire@americanshipper.com , dated 10/13/04)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a press release announcing that biometric identification technology is fully operational within all 136 Border Patrol stations. CBP states that its goal is to have Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System technology (IAFIS) fully deployed at all ports of entry by the end of 2005. (CBP Press Release dated 10/07/04, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/10072004.xml)