Despite a previous port classification decision and 81 subsequent liquidated entries claiming preferential treatment under that classification, the entries of a single importer through a single port is not enough to create an "established and uniform practice," CBP said in ruling HQ H15556. The ruling, dated Feb. 3, addressed an internal advice request on whether embroidered fabric produced in Honduras using originating embroidery yarns and batiste fabric from China origin qualify for preferential tariff treatment as an originating good under the Dominican Republic -- Central America -- U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). The agency also considered whether a uniform practice had been established.
Political group spending disclosure would vastly expand, often being posted on radio and TV station websites, under a new proposal from the FCC chairman and the general counsel during the administration of President John F. Kennedy. Targeting FCC and not Federal Election Commission rules, ex-FCC Chairman Newt Minow and then-General Counsel Henry Geller would have U.S. stations make such disclosure, by way of sponsorship identification. The proposal likely will be backed by nonprofit groups supporting such disclosure, and opposed by political advocacy groups and associations that don’t now have to share such information publicly, said those on all sides of the issue in interviews Tuesday.
Political group spending disclosure would vastly expand, often being posted on radio and TV station websites, under a new proposal from the FCC chairman and the general counsel during the administration of President John F. Kennedy. Targeting FCC and not Federal Election Commission rules, ex-FCC Chairman Newt Minow and then-General Counsel Henry Geller would have U.S. stations make such disclosure, by way of sponsorship identification. The proposal likely will be backed by nonprofit groups supporting such disclosure, and opposed by political advocacy groups and associations that don’t now have to share such information publicly, said those on all sides of the issue in interviews Tuesday.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on April 14 upheld a lower court ruling in a contentious dispute over CBP’s reclassification of white sauce imported by International Custom Products. As it had foreshadowed during oral argument, CAFC ruled that a CBP notice of action effectively revoked a 1999 ruling letter on the white sauce, which means it was an “interpretive ruling or decision” that should have been subject to notice and comment under 19 USC 1625(c).
The American Association of Exporters and Importers urged the Supreme Court take up an appeal on the tariff classification of Ugg boots, in an amicus brief filed April 9. The high court needs to decide once and for all the level of deference owed to internal agency decisions at CBP, said AAEI. Confusion over the issue led to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit finding Deckers Outdoor Corporation’s boots to be “slip-on footwear” because of an internal CBP “footwear definitions” document that wasn’t subject to notice-and-comment, it said (see 13050901). If allowed to stand, the decision would effectively usurp the courts’ duty to interpret the law, said AAEI.
LAS VEGAS -- The place for Remote Location Filing within the virtual Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is yet to be decided at this point, said Brenda Brockman Smith, executive director of the ACE business office at CBP. Smith, who spoke at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America conference on April 9, also said she expects the agency to add some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) elements to the system before CBP begins to require all trade filing in ACE.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., lashed out twice last week against Comcast for its lobbying powers. He raised the issue at the Wednesday Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable, where the cable giants launched a vigorous defense of why the deal would be good for consumers. Franken, the most vocal critic in Congress of the deal, also needled the cable giant on the issue in an episode of C-SPAN’s The Communicators, slated to be telecast Saturday.
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., lashed out twice last week against Comcast for its lobbying powers. He raised the issue at the Wednesday Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Comcast’s proposed acquisition of Time Warner Cable, where the cable giants launched a vigorous defense of why the deal would be good for consumers. Franken, the most vocal critic in Congress of the deal, also needled the cable giant on the issue in an episode of C-SPAN’s The Communicators, slated to be telecast Saturday.
The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled Thursday on a patent case with potential implications for the agency's handling of electronic transmissions. But patent lawyers told us April 4 that an initial notice on the ruling indicates there’s been no change in ITC precedent. The ITC ruled that invisible teeth-straightening system manufacturer ClearCorrect violated five of Invisalign manufacturer Align Technology’s patents under Section 337 of the Tariff Act, but didn't infringe on two others (here). ClearCorrect said it plans to appeal.
The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled Thursday on a patent case with potential implications for the agency’s handling of electronic transmissions. But patent lawyers told us Friday that an initial notice on the ruling indicates there’s been no change in ITC precedent. The ITC ruled that invisible teeth-straightening system manufacturer ClearCorrect violated five of Invisalign manufacturer Align Technology’s patents under Section 337 of the Tariff Act, but didn’t infringe on two others (http://1.usa.gov/1jLh5Ie). ClearCorrect said it plans to appeal.