U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted six informed compliance publications that were reviewed in March 2009 with no change.
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.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on March 24, 2009 to address "China's Industrial Policy and its Impact on U.S. Companies, Workers, and the American Economy." (FR Pub, 03/06/09, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4774.pdf)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously announced that the next customs broker license examination will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009.
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America has issued a third email notice (dated February 26, 2009) stating that NCBFAA subject matter experts (SMEs) continue to work with senior managers at U.S. Customs and Border Protection to answer additional questions on the startup of the Importer Security Filing (ISF). In response to additional forwarded questions, NCBFAA states that (partial list):
During Secretary of State Clinton's recent visit to South Korea, she and South Korean Foreign Minister Yu discussed the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. According to remarks made by Minister Yu, the U.S. and South Korea have agreed to work together to move forward on the U.S.-Korea FTA. (Remarks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu, dated 02/20/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/02/119412.htm.)
Canada's Office of the Prime Minister has posted a brief summary of issues discussed by U.S. President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper, including the need to review management of the Canada-U.S. border. (Summary, dated 02/19/09, available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2432)
In December 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a frequently asked questions document regarding the submission of the licensed customs broker triennial status report and fee. CBP's FAQ stated that the triennial status report and the corresponding fee may be filed from January 2, 2009 through February 28, 2009 to be considered timely.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously announced that the next customs broker license examination will be held on Monday, Monday, April 6, 2009.
On January 8, 2009, Representative Cuellar (D) introduced the Customs Business Fairness Act of 2009 (Act, H.R. 313) to amend the U.S. bankruptcy law (Title 11, U.S. Code) to establish a priority for the payment of certain claims for import duties, etc. paid to the U.S. by licensed Customs brokers and sureties on behalf of a debtor.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new informed compliance publication entitled What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Coastwise Trade: Merchandise.