Tim Warren

CBP is requesting comments by Jan. 22 for an existing information collection on holders or containers which enter the U.S. duty free. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection without a change to the burden hours or to the information collected. The notice is scheduled to run in the Federal Register Nov. 20.

CBP is requesting comments by Jan. 22 for an existing information collection on unlading and CBP overtime request applications. CBP proposes to extend the expiration date of this information collection without a change to the burden hours or to the information collected. The notice ran in the Federal Register Nov. 20.

CBP won't release the names of the members involved in the customs broker working group that are working to define the role of brokers in filing with Centers for Excellence and Expertise. The agency can't release "the names of the group members because we weren’t given permission by each group," said a spokesman.

CBP's Office of Information and Technology has posted an updated list of companies/persons offering ABI data processing services to the trade community.

CBP updated its Trade Transformation document for November, providing some brief information on the customs broker working group that is developing guidance on the role of the brokers in dealing with the Centers for Excellence and Expertise (CEEs). The CEEs are industry-dedicated, virtual locations for entry summary review and are currently in a pilot phase. The virtual locations are hoped to offer a more consistent treatment of goods for each industry, though some concerns remain among brokers and importers.

Gerardo Chavez, the president of the San Diego Customs Broker Association, pleaded guilty to organizing a conspiracy to import foreign-made goods in to the U.S. without paying customs duties, said the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California. Another person charged in the case, Carlos Medina, also pleaded guilty, the Justice Department said. As a part of the plea deal, Chavez will cancel his customs broker license, forfeit property, and pay restitution of as much as $18 million.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Firms program has largely been a help to U.S. companies that are hurt as a result of increased imports due to loosened trade barriers, said Alfredo Gomez, acting director of International Affairs and Trade at the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Gomez testified Nov. 14 before the House Oversight Committee Government Organization subcommittee. The Nov. 14 hearing, focused on evaluating trade adjustment assistance, was previously postponed. The GAO testimony is (here).

CBP officers at the Port of New York/New Jersey recently inspected a shipment of imported merchandise declared on entry documents as “plastics,” finding instead a huge score of counterfeit handbags, belts and wallets, the agency said in a press release. The 537 cartons carried goods with Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Michael Kors trademarks in violation of federal trademark law. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price of the bags, belts, and wallets, if genuine, was estimated to be more than $20 million.

CBP posted a Nov. 13 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.

CBP said FDA Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) users may experience intermittent outages from Nov. 16-18 due to scheduled server maintenance. Users who encounter problems with ITACS during this period should reattempt their activity in 30 minutes, the agency said in a CSMS message.