U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its interim final rule, effective January 26, 2009, which will amend 19 CFR Parts 4, 12, 18, 101, 103, 113, 122, 123, 141, 143, 149, 178, and 192 to require Security Filing (SF) information from importers and additional information from carriers (10+2) for vessel (maritime) cargo before it is brought into the U.S.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) is a reference manual that provides duty rates for almost every item that exists. It is a system of classifying and taxing all goods imported into the United States. The HTS is based on the international Harmonized System, which is a global standard for naming and describing trade products, and consists of a hierarchical structure that assigns a specific code and rate to each type of merchandise for duty, quota, and statistical purposes. The HTS was made effective on January 1, 1989, replacing the former Tariff Schedules of the United States. It is maintained by the U.S. International Trade Commission, but the Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the HTS.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued its final rule, effective May 6, 20091, on the submission to FDA of prior notice (PN) of food, including animal feed, which is imported or offered for import into the U.S.
The Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule, effective December 19, 2008, which will amend 7 CFR Part 1205 to increase the tax on imported cotton and the cotton content of imported products (unless excluded) under the Cotton Research and Promotion Program.
Broker Power is able to provide quota prices (generally twice a month) for a limited number of textile and apparel categories from China that are subject to "agreed quotas" and publicly traded. (These publicly traded quota prices have been provided by a Hong Kong quota broker.)
The following Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) and Court of International Trade (CIT) cases on international trade issues were dated, decided, or posted during the period of November 4 - November 13, 2008:
The International Trade Commission has released a public version of its report entitled "Viscose Rayon Staple Fiber: Probable Effect of Modification of U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement Rules of Origin."
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing the completion of Southern Exposure, a full-scale exercise (FSE) marking the culmination of the Southeast Transportation Corridor Pilot (SETCP). The exercise ran from Oct. 23 through Nov. 5, 2008, and was sponsored by the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), along with other federal, state, and local participants. The FSE was intended to demonstrate the Southeast region's capabilities to coordinate, communicate, and respond during and after a possible radiological/nuclear threat to the region's interstate highways. (Dated 11/06/08, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1225999813655.shtm)
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has issued a release regarding its hosting of more than 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials, and NGOs in Beijing, China. The company outlined a series of aggressive goals and expectations to build a more environmentally and socially responsible global supply chain. (Wal-Mart press release, dated 10/22/08, available at http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/NewsRoom/8696.aspx.)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has announced that the interagency Section 301 Committee is soliciting public comments on the possible modification of the list of European products subject to increased tariffs in connection with World Trade Organization dispute settlement rulings in the U.S.-European Communities beef hormones dispute.
Broker Power is able to provide quota prices (generally twice a month) for a limited number of textile and apparel categories from China that are subject to "agreed quotas" and publicly traded. (These publicly traded quota prices have been provided by a Hong Kong quota broker.)