CBP’s October customs broker license exam had a 24% pass rate, CBP said in a memo released ahead of the Dec. 11 meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee. That’s up from the 13% pass rate for the spring broker exam (see 2406180034), but down from the 34% pass rate for the exam held last October (see 2402270045). CBP said a total of 1,045 candidates took the exam, including both “in-person and remote-proctored” test takers.
Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller will retire from the agency at the end of December, he said during a meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee on Dec. 11. CBP didn't comment on who will replace him.
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is hiking tariffs on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon to 50% and Chinese tungsten products covered by Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheadings 8101.94.00, 8101.99.10 and 8101.99.80 will face 25% tariffs, beginning Jan. 1.
The Treasury Department’s recent delegation of its customs revenue functions to DHS “will make the regulatory process much more efficient and ensure everyone has adequate input,” acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller said in opening remarks at the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee meeting Dec. 11.
Customs brokers could start to see considerable fruits of CBP's efforts to modernize ACE sometime in the next two years, according to a CBP official who spoke during a Dec. 10 webinar sponsored by the Los Angeles Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association.
Continuing Treasury Department holdups in vetting new members of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, combined with a few absences, meant that the advisory body didn’t have a quorum to vote on recommendations or other motions at its Dec. 11 meeting.
The International Trade Commission published notices in the Dec. 10 Federal Register on the following AD/CVD injury, Section 337 patent or other trade proceedings (any notices that warrant a more detailed summary will be in another ITT article):
The International Trade Commission seeks comments by Dec. 19 on a Section 337 complaint alleging that imports of bulk containers infringe patents held by Schütz Container Systems and Protechna, the ITC said in a notice to be published Dec. 11. According to the complaint, Schütz is seeking a general exclusion order and cease and desist orders against Chinese companies Shandong Jinshan Jieyuan Container, Zibo Jielin Plastic Pipe Manufacture, Shanghai Sakura Plastic Products (d/b/a Shanghai Yinghua Plastic Products), and Hebei Shijiheng Plastics to "bar from entry into the United States certain composite intermediate bulk containers."
The International Trade Commission is beginning a Section 337 investigation on allegations filed by Cricut Inc. that seven Chinese companies are importing crafting machines and components that infringe its patents (ITC Inv. No. 337-TA-1426), the agency said in a notice to be published Dec. 11.