A company that imports machinery that is used in making optical lenses paid CBP $3.3 million related to customs violations under 19 U.S.C. § 1592, the agency said in a Nov. 19 news release. The company, Satisloh, “provided false descriptions, tariff classification numbers, and/or duty rates to CBP for the entries of certain machinery and repair parts," CBP said. "The matter was resolved when CBP accepted an offer in compromise submitted by the importer. An offer in compromise is a written offer and deposit of funds to settle civil liability relating to a Government claim arising under customs laws." Brenda Smith, executive assistant commissioner, Office of Trade, said "civil penalties like this one are a critical tool in our toolbox, and I commend CBP for seeing this penalty through to a collection.” Satisloh didn't comment. CBP didn't respond to requests for more information about the case.
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 duty investigations on forged steel fittings from India (A-533-891) and South Korea (A-580-904), and its recently initiated countervailing duty investigation on forged steel fittings from India (C-533-892).
Increased Section 232 duties on steel products from Turkey may be invalid or even unconstitutional, the Court of International Trade said in a Nov. 15 decision. Denying the government’s motion to dismiss an importer's challenge of the 50 percent duty, which was dropped back to 25 percent in May (see 1905170004), the court said Transpacific Steel raises arguments that may lead to a refund of the additional duties in the CIT’s final decision.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m., in Washington, CBP said in a notice.
NEW YORK -- Companies hoping to avoid Section 301 tariffs by a shift in origin should research CBP rulings first, United States Fashion Industry Association customs counsel John Pellegrini said. And if the product they are importing is even a little different from what's in a ruling, ask for a new ruling. "It's a time to play conservative," said Pellegrini, who was speaking at the Nov. 7 USFIA Trade and Transportation conference.
Fewer than one in three of the 3.9 million finished TV sets the U.S. imported from all countries in September originated in China, according to Census Bureau statistics released Nov. 7 through the International Trade Commission’s DataWeb tool. That nearly two-thirds of TV unit shipments in the month were sourced from Mexico showed the unmistakable measures U.S. importers took to eliminate exposure to the 15 percent List 4A Section 301 tariffs that took effect Sept. 1 on finished sets from China.
A variety of export subsidies, which allowed certain industries to avoid paying sales taxes, customs duties, or reduce income tax liability have been ruled illegal by a World Trade Organization panel. The ruling was released Oct. 31. India, unless it appeals the ruling, has 90, 120 or 180 days to stop the programs at issue.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for Oct. 21-25 in case they were missed.
A domestic manufacturer and labor union filed petitions on Oct. 22 with the Commerce Department and the International Trade Commission requesting new antidumping duty investigations on forged steel fittings from India and South Korea, and new countervailing duties on the same product from India. Commerce will now decide whether to begin AD/CVD investigations on forged steel fittings that could eventually result in the assessment of AD/CV duties. The petition was filed by Bonney Forge Corporation and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (USW).
A new report on the economic impact of the tariff reductions on 1,655 products covered by the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill finds a tiny effect on GDP from the $179 million in duties saved over seven months.