The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published a notice announcing the availability of 2006 full calendar year import statistics relating to the Generalized System of Preferences Competitive Needs Limitations (CNLs) for certain country/tariff number pairs (pairs), as well as the availability of four computer-generated lists indicating possible GSP eligibility changes for certain pairs due to the CNLs.
Notable CROSS rulings
In U.S. v. Optrex America, Inc., the Court of International Trade considered the issue of 1592 negligence and the exercise of reasonable care, and concluded that there were genuine issues of material fact that required further adjudication.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a year-long pilot program that expands U.S. cross border trucking operations with Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) posted an administrative message on February 13, 2007 stating that the port of St. Louis was closed due to limited broker activity and inclement weather. However, CBP stated that it would continue clearance of international flights. (Adm: 07-0051, dated 02/13/07, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2007/2007-0051.ADM )
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site another revised (February 2007) version of its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on e-Manifest" (electronic manifest).
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has instituted an investigation at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) entitled Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2006 Review.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued CBP Dec. 06-39, which, effective January 19, 2007, adopts as a final rule, with some changes, the interim rule published in the Federal Register on March 7, 2005 to implement the preferential tariff treatment and other customs-related provisions of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (US-CFTA).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site a revised (December 2006) version of its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on e-Manifest" (electronic manifest).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department have issued a reminder that beginning January 23, 2007, citizens of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda are required to present a passport to enter the U.S. when arriving by air from any part of the Western Hemisphere.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing the product and country practice petitions that are accepted for further review in the 2006 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Annual Review, and setting forth the schedule for comments and public hearing on these petitions.