U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently posted to its Web site a frequently asked question (FAQ) document regarding its interim final rule that amended 19 CFR effective January 26, 2009, 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.
Licensed Customs Broker
Customs brokers are entities who assist importers in meeting federal requirements governing imports into the United States. Brokers can be private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Customs brokers oversee transactions related to customs entry and admissibility of merchandise, product classification, customs valuation, payment of duties, taxes, or other charges such as refunds, rebates, and duty drawbacks. To obtain a customs broker license, an individual must pass the U.S. Customs Broker License Exam. Customs brokers are not government employees and should not be confused with CBP officials. There are approximately 11,000 active licensed customs brokers in the United States.
CBP has posted an updated version of its fact sheet on the benefits of ACE for sureties. The list of benefits has been updated to state that sureties can run a custom bond report as well as created customized reports and to state that sureties can query a bond by "Bond Number," "Bond Activity Code," or "Bond Status." The additional information section has also been updated to state that additional information is alsoavailable on the ACE training and Reference Guides pages on www.cbp.gov/modernization. (Fact sheet, dated 02/03/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/trade/ace_factsheets/ace_overview/sureties_fact_sheet.xml)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice entitled Notice of Examination: April 2009 Customs Broker License Examination, which announces that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009.
BP is correcting its January 9, 2009 ITT to state that U.S. Customs Border and Protection has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker licenses are cancelled without prejudice (BP previously incorrectly stated that such licenses were cancelled with prejudice):
The following are the trade-related bills and resolutions that were introduced in the House or Senate during January 8-9, 2009:
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a press release announcing the completion of over 1 million fingerprint-based background checks on truck drivers required to carry a Hazardous Material Endorsement (HME) on a commercial driver's license. Since starting operations almost four years ago, the HME Threat Assessment Program has completed a review of 1,015,660 applications and approved more than 1 million. (TSA Press Release 12/29/08, available at http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2008/1229.shtm)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted penalty mitigation guidelines for violations of the mandatory Automated Export System (AES) filing requirements and other Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR, 15 CFR Part 30). The guidelines are effective on February 1, 2009 for violations occurring on or after February 1, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a frequently asked questions (FAQ) document regarding the submission of the licensed customs broker triennial status report and fee.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its interim final rule which will amend 19 CFR Parts 4, 12, 18, 101, 103, 113, 122, 123, 141, 143, 149, 178, and 192, effective January 26, 2009, 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.1
The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a final rule, effective January 8, 2009, which amends 50 CFR Part 14 to clarify the import/export license and fee requirements for wildlife, including wildlife parts and products (collectively, wildlife), adjust the inspection fee schedule, and update license and inspection fee exemptions.