CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. Some CBP Locations Closed Through Sept 5th Due to Hurricane Gustav

CBP later issued another CSMS message stating that for all filers located in the area port of New Orleans and the port of Gulfport, MS; snow days have been granted for filing entry summaries with any applicable duty, taxes and fees from Tuesday September 2, 2008 until close of business Friday, September 5, 2008. This includes the ports of Shreveport, LA; Grammercy, LA; Morgan City, LA; and Lake Charles, LA.

(CBP also updated its Unified Business Resumption Messaging Web site to provide a port status update and issued an official emergency announcement regarding Gustav.)

(CSMS 08-000190, dated 09/02/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17211&page=&srch_argv=08-000190&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby; CSMS 08-000192, dated 09/03/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17213&page=&srch_argv=08-000192&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)

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 08/29/08, 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 Again Seizes Fake Handbags, Footwear in California

CBP reports that for the second consecutive week, CBP officers at the Los Angeles-Long Beach seaport seized over $1 million worth of counterfeit handbags and footwear. On August 27, 2008, CBP officers and import specialists intercepted a shipment manifested as electronic appliances arriving from China. CBP officers examined the container and discovered 59,198 handbags and 17,400 pairs of footwear. A thorough inspection of the items by a CBP import specialist determined the items to be counterfeit. The counterfeits consisted of fake Coach and Fendi handbags and fake Coach footwear. Had the items been legitimate the value would have been over $24 million. (News release, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08282008_8.xml)

4. ACE Secure Data Portal Reports Fact Sheet

CBP has posted an ACE Secure Data Portal Reports fact sheet. ACE allows users to access the reports tool, compile data and perform national trend analysis versus individual transactions-based analysis. The fact sheet covers features of ACE reports, benefits of using ACE reports, ACE reports resources, types of reports, etc. (Fact sheet, dated 08/28/08, available http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/trade/ace_factsheets/ace_portal_reports.xml)

5. Other CBP Postings and Messages

CBP corrects slow ACE response. CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that at approximately 1:15 p.m. EDT on August 29, 2008, ACE users experienced slow system response when logging into ACE. Users reported service restoration at approximately 3:10 p.m. EDT on August 29, 2008. (CSMS 08-000188, dated 08/29/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17209&page=&srch_argv=08-000188&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby; CSMS messages announcing, providing an update on the slow system response, 08-000185 and 08-000187, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17206&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby and http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17208&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)

CBP notice on grace period for first sale declaration requirement. CBP has posted another notice regarding the 30-day grace period that is being granted to importers with regard to the enforcement of the First Sale Declaration Requirement established under section 15422(a) in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. (Note that CBP's notice contains the same information as its previously issued memo.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/22/08 news, 08082200, for BP summary of the memo, etc.) (CBP notice, dated 08/26/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/cargo_summary/grace_period2.xml)

FY 2008 Byrd Amendment certifications received report. CBP has posted its fiscal year 2008 Byrd Amendment (aka the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (CDSOA)) certifications report. This report provides information on the claimant name, case name, and case number. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/03/08 news, 08060315, for BP summary announcing that CBP issued its notice of intent to distribute FY 2008 AD/CV revenues, etc.) (Certification report, posted 08/27/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/priority_trade/add_cvd/cont_dump/cdsoa_08/fy08_certs.ctt/fy08_certs.pdf)

CBP outbound inspection yields unreported ostrich skins. CBP reports that officers working outbound operations at the El Paso port of entry intercepted a shipment of 293 full bird ostrich skins valued at $58,600. (News release, dated 08/28/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08282008_6.xml)

RFID construction begins at Presidio port of entry. CBP reports that it has initiated deployment of Radio Frequency Identification technology to vehicle lanes at the Presidio border crossing. Work began the evening of Tuesday, August 26, 2008. This phase of the project was expected to be completed by the end of the week. The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in early 2009. (News release, dated 08/27/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/08272008_9.xml)

Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for August 21-27, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 08/27/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/0821_0827.xml)