CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. Updated "ACE on the Road" Event Schedule

September 15, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in Houston, TX - conference flyerwas also posted. Free.

September 16, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in Portland, OR - conference flyerwas also posted. $129 for Columbia River Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association member; $149 for non-members.

September 17, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in Jamaica, NY - conference flyerwas also posted. Free.

Topics for the seminars include the current status of ACE, future releases of ACE, ACE reports (demonstrations), etc.

(CBP also issued the following CSMS messages announcing these seminars (hyperlinked) - 08-000177 (NY), 08-000178 (TX), and 08-000179 (OR).)

(Schedule, dated 08/26/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_on_the_road.xml)

2. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List

CBP has posted an updated version of its TRQ/TPL "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor tariff rate quotas (TRQs) and tariff preference levels (TPLs) that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low duty) rate. The list is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, posted 08/27/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

3. CBP Publishes Chile FTA TRQs Close Date, Updates Workbook

CBP posted an updated Excel workbook containing historical information and the close dates for certain Chilean free trade agreement (FTA) agriculture TRQs. The 2008 TRQs for Chile FTA agriculture products entered under the following HTS subheadings have closed: 9911.04.3000, 9911.08.0500, and 9911.20.0500. (Workbook, posted 08/25/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/quotatariff_fill_rates/clfta_agriculture.ctt/clfta_agriculture.xls)

4. CBP Updates Cotton TRQ Workbooks

CBP posted an updated Excel workbook containing historical information on the following cotton TRQs that opened on August 1, 2008 for the August 1, 2008 - July 31, 2009 period:

• Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 6;
• Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 7; and
• Chapter 52, Additional U.S. Note 8.

(Workbooks, posted 08/25/08, hyperlinked)

5. Fake Handbags, Nike Shoes Seized at LA/LB Seaport

CBP reports that officers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport continue to seize millions of dollars worth of counterfeit handbags and fake Nike footwear. For example, on August 18, 2008, CBP officers and import specialists intercepted six containers arriving from China. The containers were loaded with 28,784 pairs of counterfeit Nike athletic shoes and 78,460 handbags bearing counterfeit trademarks of several famous brands. (News release, dated 08/19/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08192008_4.xml)

6. Other CBP Postings and Messages

Otay Mesa to convert cargo truck lanes to passenger lanes during Labor Day weekend. CBP reports that the Otay Mesa port of entry will increase its ability to process U.S. bound passenger cars during the upcoming Labor Day weekend by temporarily converting up to six cargo truck lanes to supplement the traffic lanes at its adjacent passenger car port. (News release, dated 08/25/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08252008_7.xml)

CBP/ICE hosting human trafficking symposium. CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are hosting a one-day joint symposium on human trafficking on September 9, 2008 in Washington, DC. Registration is limited to 250 attendees and is now open. (News release, dated 08/25/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/human_traffic.xml)

List of NEXUS enrollment centers, crossing locations. CBP has posted an updated list of NEXUS enrollment centers and crossing locations. The NEXUS program allows pre-screened, low risk travelers to be processed with little or no delay by U.S. and Canadian officials at designated highway lanes at high volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS kiosk at the Canadian Preclearance airports, and at certain marine reporting locations in the Great Lakes and Seattle, Washington regions. (List, dated 08/26/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/nexus_prog/nexus_enroll.xml)