CBP Implements Nationwide "Operation Clean Tile" for Ceramic & Marble Tile from Italy
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of Portland, OR has issued a CBP Trade Bulletin announcing the nationwide implementation of "Operation Clean Tile," effective April 20 - June 30, 2005, for shipments of ceramic and marble tile from Italy.
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According to CBP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the wood packing materials around these Italian tiles can be infested with a variety of actionable pests, specifically insects and snails, which have been found on and in the wooden pallets, under the plastic wrapping, or at large in the containers.
(CBP states that actionable pests are those exotic pests that do not occur naturally in the U.S. and require fumigation treatment before the cargo can be released.)
CBP Has Run Previous Operations on Italian Ceramic and Marble Tiles
CBP states that it has run several operations focused on the problem of pests in Italian tiles, and as a result has identified importers, manufacturers, and shippers whose Italian tiles have been found to be infested with these pests. Furthermore, CBP was narrowed the affected HTS headings to 6802 and 6908.
(HTS 6802 includes worked monumental or building stone (except slate) and articles thereof, other than goods of heading 6801; mosaic cubes and the like, of natural stone (including slate), whether or not on a backing; artificially colored granules, chippings, and powder, of natural stone (including slate). HTS 6908 includes glazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; glazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing.)
CBP to Analyze Incoming Data to Determine Next Course of Action
After the April 20 - June 30, 2005 period, CBP states that it will analyze the incoming data to determine the next course of action.
CBP Portland contact - Chris Johnson (503) 326-2875
CBP Portland Trade Bulletin (No. 2005-13, issued 05/06/05) available via fax by emailing a request to documents@brokerpower.com