U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Port of Miami has issued an Information Bulletin containing guidance on uniform national procedures for imports and exports of commodities controlled under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) licenses and license exemptions.
Licensed Customs Broker
Customs brokers are entities who assist importers in meeting federal requirements governing imports into the United States. Brokers can be private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Customs brokers oversee transactions related to customs entry and admissibility of merchandise, product classification, customs valuation, payment of duties, taxes, or other charges such as refunds, rebates, and duty drawbacks. To obtain a customs broker license, an individual must pass the U.S. Customs Broker License Exam. Customs brokers are not government employees and should not be confused with CBP officials. There are approximately 11,000 active licensed customs brokers in the United States.
On February 18, 2010, the Federal Maritime Commission voted to initiate a rulemaking that would relieve non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) from the costs and burdens of publishing in tariffs the rates they charge for cargo shipments.
On February 17, 2010, Transportation Secretary LaHood announced Recovery Act awards to fund innovative transportation projects. The TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program was included in the Recovery Act to spur transportation projects that promise significant economic and environmental benefits, including improvements to roads, bridges, rail, ports, transit and intermodal facilities. (White House, dated 02/17/10, available for http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/secretary-lahood-announces-funding-over-50-innovative-strategic-transportation-proj.)
The Center for Environmental Health has notified four retailers, Saks Fifth Avenue, Justice, Catherines, and Aeropostale that independent lab testing has found significant levels of cadmium in jewelry purchased from their stores in December and January. Similar recent reports suggest that, in response to the new federal law limiting lead in children's products, jewelry makers may be using cadmium instead of lead. (Press release, dated 02/02/10, available at http://www.ceh.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=428&Itemid=166)
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a notice announcing that it will hold an open meeting on February 10, 2010 in Washington, DC.
The Federal Maritime Commission has announced that it will hold an open meeting on February 10, 2010 in Washington, DC. Agenda topics include a FY 2010 budget status update, a petition from NCBFAA for exemption from mandatory rate tariff publication, etc. (Notice, posted 02/02/10, available at http://www.fmc.gov/home/February102010Meeting.asp)
In its remand decision, U.S. v. UPS Customhouse Brokerage, Inc., the Court of International Trade ruled it would enter judgment in favor of UPS and deny the government's request for a rehearing to recover monetary penalties of $75,000 imposed by Customs due to UPS' alleged failure to exercise responsible supervision and control over its customs brokerage business, in violation of 19 USC 1641(b)(4).
On January 25, 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection held a media teleconference to discuss the graduated, escalated enforcement approach CBP will take beginning January 26th, when it "fully enforces" the 10+2 interim final rule. Among other things, officials stated that CBP will be doing an analysis of the Importer Security Filing data generated or lack of data submitted beginning on January 26, 2010 and will be looking at it from an enforcement perspective. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/25/10 news, 10012505, for previous BP summary of CBP detailing its graduated, escalated enforcement approach.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice revising the date for the April 2010 Customs Broker License Examination. According to CBP, the exam will now be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice entitled Notice of Examination: April 2010 Customs Broker License Examination, which announces that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 5, 2010.