The Journal of Commerce reports that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have forced marine terminal operators to obtain a court order in order to deny equipment (such as chassis and containers) to a harbor trucker who has not paid late fees or other charges. (JoC, dated 10/11/04, www.joc.com)
Latest Harmonized System updates
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has posted to its Web site the draft preliminary report for its investigation (No. 1205-6) on proposed modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation (No. 1205-6) on proposed modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS), pursuant to 19 USC 3005.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an updated (August 26, 2004) Industry Guidance which lists, and provides a written description for, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are flagged in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) entry system with imported food Prior Notice FD3 or FD4 indicators.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice describing new features to its Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI). The FDA's announcement concerns PNSI Version 1.3, which was released on July 10, 2004, and PNSI Version 1.4, which is scheduled for an August 7, 2004 release.
The Census Bureau has posted to its Web site a list of 177 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are not valid for reporting exports (either on a paper Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) or Automated Export System (AES) equivalent) as of July 1, 2004.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message announcing that its most recent Harmonized System (HS) update contains:
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has posted to its Web site an updated version of the 2004 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) dated July 1, 2004 (Supplement 1).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site its "critical list" of textiles and apparel subject to import quotas with entered quantities 85% or more filled as of June 22, 2004. CBP states that this "critical list" may be used by CBP as a reference for releasing quota merchandise "off line" when the Automated Commercial System (ACS) is down for longer than four hours. CBP notes that textile and apparel merchandise for Electronic Visa Information System (ELVIS) countries cannot be released "off line" until it is processed through quota. CBP further notes that if the system is down for more than 24 hours, Headquarters Quota Branch should be contacted for further instructions. CBP also states that merchandise subject to tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), which are filled, may be released if entered under the "over quota" (high) rate of duty. (CBP's critical list, dated 06/22/04, http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/textile_critical_list/)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses (dated May 21, 2004) labeled as pertaining to the "Vessel Mode" of transportation, for the inbound ocean portion of its final rule on the advance electronic presentation of information pertaining to cargo (ocean, air, rail, and truck) prior to its being brought into, or sent from, the U.S.