The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reminded importers that Lacey Act declarations are now required for an additional 20 products announced in February (see 1502050015), in an email sent to stakeholders on Sept. 4 (here). The 20 products, which include casks, barrels, barrelheads, tableware and kitchenware, were added to the APHIS Lacey Act Schedule of Enforcement (here) on Aug. 6, it said. The Schedule was also updated to correct an errant HTS number for used wooden casks, said APHIS. Imports of any products listed in the Schedule are subject to Lacey Act PPQ Form 505 declaration requirements, and failure to file the declaration for listed product types containing plant material may result in civil or criminal penalties and forfeiture, said the agency.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will allow imports of fresh cranberries from Chile to the U.S., it said in a notice that takes effect Sept. 9 (here). The decision follows a pest risk assessment that concluded several phytosanitary measures could adequately mitigate the risk of introducing plant risks or noxious weeds, said APHIS. The measures that will have to be taken include importation in commercial consignments only; a phytosanitary certificate issued by Chile; and inspection upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP’s recent delay of some mandatory use dates for the Automated Commercial Environment elicited a sigh of relief from the trade community, but much work remains to ensure a smooth transition, said customs brokers and software developers in recent interviews. The new staged approach, with deadlines in February and July 2016, gives the trade the time it needs to successfully migrate to ACE. However, familiar problems with quota-related entry types and still-unreleased software requirements by CBP and other agencies will remain hurdles to be overcome as ACE implementation continues over the coming year.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes Sept. 2 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
CBP posted additional details on the agency's recently revised plans for transitioning to the Automated Commercial Environment (here). CBP decided to push back some of the mandatory use dates for ACE in response to readiness concerns for the system (see 1509010017). As part of the updated schedule, beginning Feb. 28, ACE will be required for electronic entries and entry summaries, as well as for Food and Drug Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Lacey Act data.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes Aug. 31 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
CBP made some major changes in its timeline for requiring use of the Automated Commercial Environment, allowing for Automated Commercial System filing several months beyond the original mandatory use date, the agency said Aug. 31 (here). The original Nov. 1 deadline will now begin a "transition period" where use of ACE is "encouraged," with more ACE requirements phased in through July. The changes came in response to a number of industry concerns recently lodged with CBP (see 1507290066 and 1507150063), as well as shifts in resources related to the move to ACE for Air Manifest (see 1506110007). CBP said it still plans to finish the ACE transition by Oct. 1, 2016 (here), ahead of the completion of the International Trade Data System by the end of 2016, as required by a 2014 White House executive order (see 14021928).
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes Aug. 28 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced changes Aug. 27 to Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.