Congress has been fairly passive on tariffs so far, Sen. Doug Jones acknowledged at a field hearing in his home state of Alabama, but, the Democrat said, "hopefully, as we go into a new Congress we will see some more activity." Jones, who heard from farmers, steel consumers, the Port of Mobile, auto manufacturers and steel mills during his hearing Nov. 19, said he believes that several administrations "have been fast and loose with this national security measure," referring to Section 232. The measure was used as the basis to hike tariffs on steel and aluminum, and could be used for similar actions on imported uranium, auto parts and autos. Jones noted the bill led by Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio -- Jones is a co-sponsor (see 1808010048) -- that would give Congress the opportunity to veto future Section 232 tariffs.
Customs Duty
A Customs Duty is a tariff or tax which a country imposes on goods when they are transported across international borders. Customs Duties are used to protect countries' economies, residents, jobs, and environments, by limiting the flow of imported merchandise, especially restricted and prohibited goods, into the country. The Customs Duty Rate is a percentage determined by the value of the article purchased in the foreign country and not based on quality, size, or weight.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on magnesium from Israel (A-508-812/C-508-813). The agency will determine whether imports of Israeli magnesium are being sold in the U.S. at less than fair value or are illegally subsidized. The CV duty investigation covers entries Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017. The AD duty investigation covers entries Oct. 1, 2017, through Sept. 30, 2018.
The Commerce Department issued Federal Register notices on its recently initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on polyester textured yarn from India (A-533-885/C-533-886) and China (A-570-097/C-570-098).
The U.S. International Trade Commission, hosting lobbyists on the new NAFTA for a second day Nov. 16, tried to sort out whose perspective was most germane on the trade pact's impact, as producers and customers, manufacturers and importers and even producers and producers disagreed about the policy impact of what the U.S. trade representative did -- or didn't do -- in the negotiations.
Express shippers are troubled by a footnote that suggests the U.S. could lower its de minimis rate for NAFTA partners (see 1811060010) and ask that it be removed, said Michael Mullen, executive director of the Express Association of America, during a Nov. 15 U.S. International Trade Commission hearing. Mullen also said the fact that the taxes and duties levels are separate means the $40 Canadian and $50 for Mexico will be the operative de minimis amounts. That Canadian level "is among the lowest in the world," Mullen said, adding that Mexico already offers simplified duties and taxes above $50 and $117, so the administration needs to make sure the pact does not make things worse.
Customs regimes should make sure authority exists to allow for examinations for potential under- and over-invoiced transactions meant to evade customs duties or conceal profits, the World Customs Organization said in a report on illicit financial flows through misinvoicing. "The Report was endorsed by the WCO Council in June and subsequently presented to the G20 Development Working Group in July 2018, which had originally tasked the WCO with the composition of a report" during a 2016 summit, the WCO said in a Nov. 15 news release. In addition to duty evasion, misinvoicing can be used to "disguise capital flight as a form of trade payment" and "bring illicit proceeds into the domestic legal financial system," the WCO said.
The “Torque Tubes” imported by NEXTracker are mechanical tubing exempt from antidumping and countervailing duties on circular welded carbon quality steel pipe from China (A-570-910/C-570-911), the Commerce Department said in a preliminary scope ruling. The tubing is used for mechanical purposes to turn solar panels, not as structural or standard pipe covered by the AD/CV duty orders, the agency preliminarily found. Comments on the scope ruling are due Nov. 21.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 5 in Herndon, Virginia, CBP said in a notice.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Nov. 5-9 in case they were missed.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Nov. 5-11: