U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a revised version of its informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Caviar.
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.
In February 2006, two members of the trade community prepared a pamphlet entitled "Trade User's Guide for ACE-ESAR Release A2," in order to help current ABI/ACS customs brokers, self-filers, and their automation vendors focus on significant changes they might experience as ACE ESAR (Entry Summary, Accounts, Revenue, also referred to as ACE Release 5) is rolled out.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a new informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Classification of Knit to Shape Garments under HTSUS Heading 6110.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted to its Web site its quarterly report on the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) entitled Report to Congress on the Automated Commercial Environment. This report covers the October 1, 2005 - December 31, 2005 period.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a new informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Base Metal Mountings and Fittings.
American Shipper reports that the House of Representatives was expected to meet on June 7, 2006 to consider H.R. 5441, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, and that a house member may offer two amendments that call for 100% inspection of U.S. bound air and ocean cargo. (American Shipper, dated 06/07/06, www.americanshipper.com)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a notice on its web site, entitled Notice of Examination for October 2006, which announces that the next Customs Broker License Examination will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2006.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a proposed rule which would add a new 19 CFR Part 360 in order to establish a Mexican Cement Import Licensing System in accordance with an agreement between Mexico and the U.S. on Trade in Cement (agreement) which settles ongoing litigation before the NAFTA and WTO dispute resolution panels, and provides for export limits for three years.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a list of approved trade and/or fictitious names (trade names) that are currently being used by licensed Customs brokers, updated as of May 24, 2006.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a revised version of its informed compliance publication (ICP) entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Classification of Molds and Their Parts Under the HTS.