CBP posted a Feb. 11 version of its CF 1400 (Record of Vessel in Foreign Trade Entrances) electronic query report of the Vessel Management System (VMS), in accordance with 19 CFR 4.95, organized by entrances. CBP also posted a version of its CF 1401 (Record of Vessel in Foreign Trade Clearances) electronic query report of the VMS, in accordance with 19 CFR 4.95, organized by clearances.
Tim Warren
Timothy Warren is Executive Managing Editor of Communications Daily. He previously led the International Trade Today editorial team from the time it was purchased by Warren Communications News in 2012 through the launch of Export Compliance Daily and Trade Law Daily. Tim is a 2005 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts and lives in Maryland with his wife and three kids.
Customs Rulings Online Search System (CROSS) was updated Feb. 11 with 164 rulings, bringing the total number of searchable rulings to 175,928. The most recent ruling is dated 02/08/2013.
CBP issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of Feb. 11. This report includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, and tobacco; and certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, OFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, OFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying textile articles and/or other articles; the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc.
CBP said it plans to find another date for Trade Support Network Plenary Session that was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26-28. The agency was unable to "secure a venue on those dates" and CBP is "working on alternative dates for this spring," said CBP spokeswoman by email.
CBP removed its antidumping and countervailing duty statistics for FY 2012 due to possible misinterpretations of data released about the agency' s e-Allegation program, said CBP officials in an interview. The e-Allegation statistics, which showed 123 of 149 allegations still requiring action by CBP, could mistakenly be considered to be "case management system" that showed progress of each individual allegation, the official said. The e-Allegation system, which allows for anonymous submissions, is more like a police tip line and often adds pieces of information for ongoing AD/CV cases, the official said. CBP recently pulled down its AD/CV enforcement statistics for FY 2012 that were recently posted on the agency's website. The e-Allegations statistics won't go back up on the website, though the other enforcement statistics will, said the official.
New lobbyist registrations on trade issues include:
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related issues:
Mac Campbell will join the Senate Finance Committee as general counsel, said Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) in a press release. Campbell was previously Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Congressional Affairs. "There are challenges ahead, with tax reform, job creation, deficit reduction and an aggressive trade agenda all on the docket," said Baucus. "I'm confident Mac will be instrumental as my team tackles those issues head-on.”
The release of trade information that had been requested to be kept confidential was the result of improper data entry by users and not CBP programming or systems error, the agency said in a CSMS message. CBP said it received numerous complaints from importers/consignees regarding specific data (namely, party/shipper/consignee name and address) that was released despite their submitted requests for confidentiality.
CBP Boston said its office will be closed Feb. 8 due to an approaching winter storm, it said in a public information notice. As a result, a snow day is granted in the port of Boston and Logan airport, "extending one additional day without penalty for filing of entries and payment of duties and fees" that were due Feb. 8, said CBP Boston. Regular operations are scheduled to resume Feb. 11.