CBP Administrative Messages, Web Postings, Etc.

1. CBP Posts Information on OMB Deadlines for ITDS, Etc.

Among other things, CBP's notice discusses the Office of Management and Budget's September 2007 directive instructing agencies to develop plans outlining the steps needed to complete each stage of the agencies' interface with ITDS, including any necessary rulemaking or acquisitions, by November 12, 2007. The OMB directive further stated that by 2009 all agencies are expected to fully utilize ITDS.

CBP adds that currently, the 40 ITDS participating government agencies are moving forward with the steps laid out in their plan, and working to complete the interface with ITDS.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 12/04/07 news, 07120410, for Part II, the final part, of BP's summary on the ITDS annual report, with a link to Part I.)

(CBP notice, dated 12/06/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/whats_new/itds_buzz.xml

OMB directive M-07-23, dated 09/10/07, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/memoranda/fy2007/m07-23.pdf)

2. ACE "Topic" Documents on Managing Access for ACE Portal Accounts

CBP has posted the following ACE "Topic" Documents for ACE Portal Accounts:

Managing Cross Account Access - information on how to grant, accept, update and revoke cross account access

Managing User Access - provides instructions on how to add new contacts, create portal account users, assign access privileges, and deactivate portal account users

(Topic documents, posted 12/10/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/about/modernization/ace_welcome/)

3. Various Other Posting's to CBP's Web Site

The following were posted to CBP's Web site:

Sample Reconciliation information. CBP has posted a notice providing samples of Reconciliations provided for by the Automated Commercial System Reconciliation Prototype. (Reconciliation information, dated 12/10/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/cargo_summary/reconciliation/technical_information/samples/sample_reconciliation_info.xml)

CBP processed $264 million in CDSOA claims in FY 2007. CBP has issued press release announcing that it paid out $264 million in fiscal year 2007 antidumping and countervailing duties to U.S. industries that petitioned federal government for relief from unfairly traded imports that sold in the U.S. at less than fair value. The Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA, also known as the Byrd Amendment) requires CBP to disburse AD and CV duties to domestic producers injured by foreign dumping and subsidies. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/10/07 news, 07121040 2, for BP summary of the FY 2007 CDSOA annual report.) (Press release, dated 12/10/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12102007.xml)

Updated ISA points of contact. CBP has posted an updated version of its document listing the Importer Self-Assessment points of contact. (ISA contacts, dated 12/03/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/trade_initiatives/importer_self_assessment/isa_poc.xml)

CBP received clean audit opinion on 2007 financial statements. CBP has issued a press release announcing that CBP has earned an unqualified opinion for good financial management for the second consecutive year. The opinion means that CBP's financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. (Press release, dated 12/03/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12032007_6.xml)

NEXUS program description. CBP has posted a document providing a description of the NEXUS trusted traveler program. The notice covers who qualifies for NEXUS, the benefits of the program, where NEXUS is operational, the future of NEXUS, etc. (NEXUS description, dated 12/10/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus.xml)

FAQ on the Visa Waiver Program. CBP has posted a document entitled "Overview of the Visa Waiver Program," which provides frequently asked questions on the VWP. (The VWP allows foreign nationals from certain countries to be admitted to the U.S. under limited conditions and for a limited time without obtaining a visa.) (Overview, dated 12/04/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/business_pleasure/vwp/vwp.xml)

Pleasure boat requirement info for Minnesota/North Dakota. CBP has posted a document providing pleasure boat requirement information for Minnesota/North Dakota. The document covers topics such as how to report pleasure boat arrivals, alternative inspection programs available, etc. (Requirement information, dated 12/06/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_locations/minn_nd_area.xml.)

4. Miscellaneous CBP Messages on AD and CV Duty Actions

The antidumping and countervailing messages U.S. Customs Border and Protection issues on behalf of the International Trade Administration are now only available on CBP's Web site at http://addcvd.cbp.gov. AD and CV ABI administrative messages are no longer issued.

An overview of a number of recent AD/CV messages posted to CBP's Web site, along with the case number(s), period covered, and CBP message number, are provided below. (Note that the complete message is only available at http://addcvd.cbp.gov.)