CBP Administrative Messages, Web Postings, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued an ABI administrative message stating that the phone system has been out in Charleston, SC since October 19, 2007. CBP states that new phones are being installed, but the installation is expected to take one week to complete. In the meantime, email is the best way to reach the port (see message for email addresses and supervisors' cell phone numbers). (Adm: 07-0240, dated 10/29/07, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2007/2007-0240.ADM.)
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1. Charleston, SC CBP Phones Still Out, Email/Cell Phone Contacts Provided
2. Weekly TRQ/TPL Commodity Report as of October 29, 2007
CBP has issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of October 29, 2007. This report includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, tobacco, certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs, etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying apparel and/or other textile articles, the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc. (CBP's weekly TRQ/TPL commodity report, dated 10/29/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/)
3. Various Postings to CBP Web Site
The following were recently posted to the CBP Web site:
New port director for Houston seaport. CBP has issued a press release announcing that Michael Sinclair has been selected as CBP's area director for the Houston/Galveston Seaport area. The press release notes that the area director of the Houston/Galveston Seaport is a newly created position due to CBP realigning seaport and airport operations within the CBP Houston/Galveston management areas. (Press release, dated 10/29/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10292007_4.xml.)
CBP signs Mutual Assistance Agreement with Mauritius. CBP has issued a press release announcing that it has signed a Mutual Assistance Agreement with the Republic of Mauritius. The agreement provides the legal framework for the mutual exchange of information between CBP and Mauritius and provides a structure for mutual assistance to prevent, investigate, and repress any offense against the customs law of either country. (Press release, dated 10/29/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10292007_5.xml.)
Tecate land port opened October 29, 2007 for vehicles, pedestrians . CBP has issued a press release announcing that the Tecate, CA port of entry was to reopen to passenger vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 5 a.m. on Monday, October 29, 2007. CBP states that due to roadway safety concerns by state officials, all cargo trucks will still be required to enter and exit the U.S. at the Otay Mesa or Calexico commercial ports of entry until the roadways leading to the port are certified safe. (Press release, dated 10/28/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10282007.xml.)
CBP adjusts operations hours to accommodate time differences with Mexico. CBP has issued a press release announcing that it will extend by one hour operations in registered commuter/frequent traveler lanes in San Diego-area border stations for a one-week period beginning October 28, 2007. This change is in response to California's later end of daylight savings time compared to Baja California, Mexico. During this one week period, the U.S. will be one hour behind Mexico. According to CBP, commercial cargo processing hours at area facilities will be modified to minimize disruptions for cargo trucks. A Port Information Notice has been issued to the trade announcing the time changes, which vary by port. (Press release, dated 10/26/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10262007_2.xml.)
Immigration Advisory Program. CBP has posted a document describing its Immigration Advisory Program, which aims to enhance the safety of air travel by, among other things, preventing terrorists from boarding commercial aircraft destined for the U.S., and reducing the number of improperly documented passengers traveling from or through a country to the U.S. (Notice, dated 10/25/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/immigration_advisory_prog.xml.)
DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program. CBP has posted a notice about the Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program which provides a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at airports or train stations or crossing U.S. borders. (CBP notice, dated 10/23/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/dhs_inquiry_program.xml.)