The International Trade Commission is seeking public interest comments raised by possible limited exclusion and cease-and-desist orders stemming from a Section 337 Investigation on silicon photovoltaic cells and modules with nanostructures (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1271).
Ben Perkins
Ben Perkins, Assistant Editor, is a reporter with International Trade Today and its sister publications, Trade Law Daily and Export Compliance Daily, where he covers sanctions, court rulings, and other international trade issues. He previously worked as a trade analyst for a Washington D.C. advisory firm. Ben holds a B.A. in English from the University of New Hampshire and an M.A. in International Relations from American University. Ben joined the staff of Warren Communications News in 2022.
Customs brokers don't need to receive duties directly from an importer and can receive funds from a middleman, CBP said in a ruling issued Aug. 25 and released by the agency Sept. 6 (HQ H318461). The decision followed a request from World Customs Brokerage (WCB) for a binding ruling regarding broker relations with unlicensed persons. Both WCB and freight forwarder World Courier, Inc. (WCI) are subsidiaries of AmerisourceBergen Corporation, and WCI often forwards imports to WCB for customs brokerage services and bills and receives payment through WCI.
The International Trade Commission has begun an official Section 337 investigation on imported robotic pool cleaners (Inv. No. 337-TA-1326), according to a notice released Aug. 31. The case follows a July 29 complaint by Zodiac Pool Systems (ZPS) and Zodiac Pool Care Europe (ZPCE) concerning pool cleaners (see 2208030026). Zodiac alleges that Wybotics, Tianjin Pool & Spa and Aiper are importing products that infringe on two of ZPCE's patents on wheel-driven brush pool cleaners and dual-shell-type filter cleaners, which allow operators to empty the filter without getting dirty, the complaint said. Zodiac has asked the ITC to institute a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against the respondents.
Amazon's Echo Show smart displays are properly classified as "machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data" under subheading 8517.62.00, rather than as speakers of heading 8518, CBP said in a recently released ruling. In HQ H316742, dated June 3 and released Aug. 30, CBP found heading 8517 better described the principal function of the multifunction Alexa devices.
A company formerly operating a bonded warehouse facility owes the government additional duties on 2,188 pairs of shoes that remained unaccounted for when the facility was shut down, ruled CBP headquarters in ruling H289595, released Aug. 26. CBP said the shoes, along with many other items, were improperly classified and stored by Jay Group in its facility before being withdrawn during the warehouse's closure. CBP ruled that Jay Group failed to rebut the presumption of correctness of its classification of shoes that remained unaccounted for in Jay Group’s final withdrawal, and instead accused CBP of factual errors.
Inconsistent documentation cost a manufacturer of plastic pallets, trays and lids duty-free treatment on returned items, CBP said in a June 13 HQ ruling addressed to the Automotive and Aerospace Center of Excellence and Expertise, directing it to deny a protest by ZF TRW Canada (ZF).
The International Trade Commission has formally begun a Section 337 investigation on imported smartphones (Inv. No. 337-TA-1324), a Federal Register notice said. The investigation follows a June 16 complaint by Maxell, alleging infringement of six of its mobile communications and imaging patents by Lenovo and Motorola (see 2206230022). Maxell is seeking a permanent limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders.
In the Aug. 17 Customs Bulletin (Vol. 56, No. 32), CBP published a proposal to revoke a ruling on musical candle holders.
Comments concerning the public interest ramifications of a possible general exclusion order on chocolate milk powder and packaging (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1232) are due to the International Trade Commission by the close of business on Sept. 2, it said in a notice. On Aug. 3, ITC Administrative Law Judge Mark Cheney issued an initial determination of violation in the investigation and recommended a general exclusion order.
Public interest statements are due Aug. 23 in two potential Section 337 investigations into imported voice controllable audio player devices by the International Trade Commission, according to a pair of Federal Register notices (ITC Inv. Nos. 337-TA-3634 and -3635). The solicitation follows the Aug. 9 receipt by the ITC of two complaints by Google alleging infringement of seven of its patents by Sonos.