On October 18, 2005, President Bush signed into law the conference version of H.R. 2360, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law (P.L.) 109-90).
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 International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued a notice that amends the final results of its antidumping (AD) duty administrative review of ball bearings and parts thereof from Japan for the period of May 1, 2003 through April 30, 2004, in order to correct certain ministerial errors made in the calculations for the final results for NPB and NSK, as follows:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an interim rule, effective October 5, 2005, which it states amends 19 CFR Parts 12, 102, 141, 144, 146 and 163 in order to update, restructure, and consolidate the regulations relating to the country of origin of textile and apparel products.
In the October 5, 2005 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 39, No. 41), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke one classification ruling with respect to certain footwear without applied soles, and (b) proposing to revoke one classification ruling with respect to a network interface unit. CBP states that it is proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices of proposed revocation.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) has issued its final results of the countervailing (CV) duty new shipper review of certain softwood lumber products from Canada for the review period of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003.
(a) zero AD margin; no AD cash deposit required, but order still in effect
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice, effective immediately, which announces several changes to enable importers to more easily participate in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)) Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) test.
In the October 5, 2005 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBP Bulletin) (Vol. 39, No. 41), CBP issued notices: (a) revoking one classification ruling on disposable foot socks, and (b) revoking or modifying eleven classification rulings on certain synthetic "pumice" stones. CBP states that it is also revoking any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.
On October 3, 2005, the U.S. and Oman announced the completion of a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA). Oman is the fifth Middle Eastern country to have negotiated an FTA with the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing the immediate reopening of the FY 2006 refined sugar tariff rate quota (TRQ) for Mexico, due to an increase. The FY 2006 raw sugar TRQ for Mexico has also been increased.