The Bureau of Census (Census) has issued an Automated Export System (AES) broadcast stating that Schedule B and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tables in the Automated Export System (AES) have been updated to accept changes to the 2006 codes.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message which clarified its earlier message on the amended final antidumping (AD) determination and AD duty order for wooden bedroom furniture from China. (A-570-890). CBP states that in response to its request, the Commerce Department issued a clarification of the scope regarding jewelry armoires.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a notice on its Web site , entitled Notice of Examination for April 2006, which announces that the next Customs Broker License Examination will be held on Monday, April 3, 2006.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a message stating that it is vital that CBP employees affected by hurricanes report their location and any change in contact information to the Critical Mission Team regularly at either 1.800.962.0759, 1.888.546.3727 or 202.344.2800. Operating hours of the Team's office are M-F, 0700-1900 EST. (CBP notice dated 10/20/05, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/hurricane_wilma/ )
The publication Seaports Industry Update has issued an initial assessment of port conditions in New Orleans, dated August 31, 2005, after the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The initial assessment lists specific wharfs and facilities, with a note from the President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans stating that "The outcome is not good, and it has been aggravated by unexpected flooding following the storm. Yesterday I thought the damage could have been worse, but today I'm not so sure." Seaport Industry Update, dated 08/31/05, available by fax by emailing documents@brokerpower.com )
On August 18, 2005, Mexico imposed retaliatory duties on certain U.S. products classified in certain Mexican Harmonized System (HS) codes in light of the U.S.' failure to repeal the Byrd Amendment (the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA)).
According to a Mexican government DiarioOficial notice, and government and press sources, the Mexican Government has imposed retaliatory duties on certain U.S. products in certain Mexican Harmonized System (HS) codes in light of the U.S.' failure to repeal the Byrd Amendment.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective August 5, 2005, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement the understandings reached at the April 2005 plenary meeting of the Australia Group (AG). This final rule also updates the list of countries that currently are States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
According to World Customs Organization (WCO) sources, the WCO Secretariat is preparing a new publication that will present all of the amendments to the Nomenclature appended to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System or HS) that are scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2007. WCO sources state that the amendments will be commented on individually, item by item, and all of the amended legal texts will be reproduced and their background, nature and scope will be briefly explained. According to these WCO sources, publication of the document is expected in late 2005/early 2006.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued notices announcing the release of updated versions of the Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI). On December 4 and 28, 2004, PNSI Versions 1.5.01 and 1.5.02 were released, respectively. On March 25, 2005, PNSI Version 1.5.03 was released. In addition, on July 9, 2005, PNSI Version 1.6.00 was released.