CBP Administrative Messages, Web Postings, Etc.
CBP has issued an ABI administrative message announcing that recent changes to the 2007 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) records, Harmonized System (HS) Update (No. 0703) include the following:
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
1. HS Update - Changes to the 2007 Harmonized Tariff Schedule Records
Changes required by the verification of the 2007 HTS; CBP will continue to verify the 2007 HTS for the remainder of the year.
(According to CBP sources, this update includes amendments to the underlying Chapter 1-97 tariff numbers for HTS Chapter 99, in order to conform them to Proclamation 8097 World Customs Organization (WCO) tariff changes.)
CBP states that updated records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures outlined in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR). (Adm: 07-0037, dated 02/02/07, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2007/2007-0037.ADM
2. February 8 Opening of 180-Day Special Import Quota for Upland Cotton (Announcement Number 32)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a notice announcing a "weekly" special import quota of 21,253,330 kg for upland cotton purchased not later than May 8, 2007 and entered under HTS 9903.52.32. The quota period is February 8, 2007 through August 6, 2007; the opening date is February 8, 2007.
According to CBP, the use of the "special import quota" is at the importer's option and the TRQ quantity is not subject to the TRQs in HTS Chapter 52 Additional U.S. Notes (AUSNs) 5 through 10. CBP has previously stated that these 180-day quotas are established pursuant to a 1991 Presidential Proclamation, are "triggered" by high C.I.F Northern European cotton prices, and are provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter III, U.S. Note 6. (See notice for special instructions concerning the requirement for an original foreign government certificate and a certification by the importer.) (QBT-07-511, dated 02/02/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2007/07_511.ctt/07_511.doc.)
3. Various Recent Postings to CBP's Web Site
The following were recently posted to CBP's Web site:
CBP laboratories and scientific services staff - organization and operations. A description of the organization and operations of CBP's laboratories and scientific staff, which consists of a description of the service area, location and contact information, functions and specializations, list of activities, etc. for CBP's headquarters laboratories, as well as CBP laboratories in Springfield, VA; Newark, NJ; Chicago, IL; Savannah, GA; Houston, TX; San Pedro, CA; San Francisco, CA; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Information, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/labs_scientific_svcs/org_and_operations.xml.)
Description of NEXUS program. A description of the NEXUS alternative inspection program, which CBP notes has been completely harmonized and integrated into a single program. According to CBP, NEXUS members now have crossing privileges at any air, land, and marine ports of entry. In addition, NEXUS is being expanded to seven airports in Canada with Toronto in early 2007. (NEXUS program description, dated 02/02/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml.)
Commissioner speech to National Sheriff's Association. A press release on CBP Commissioner Basham's remarks at the National Sheriff's Association annual Winter Conference. According to the press release, the Commissioner's remarks addressed the infusion of significant border protection resources since September 11, 2001, working relationships with state and local law enforcement as well as sister federal agencies, etc. (Press release, dated 02/02/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/commissioner/messages/natl_sheriff_assoc.xml.)