CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. CBP Provides Hurricane Ike Update, Port of Key West Closed

2. Weekly TRQ/TPL Commodity Report as of September 8, 2008

CBP has issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of September 8, 2008. This report includes TRQs on various products such as beef, sugar, dairy products, peanuts, cotton, cocoa products, tobacco, certain BFTA, DR-CAFTA, Israel FTA, JFTA, MFTA, SFTA, UAFTA (AFTA) and UCFTA (Chile FTA) non-textile TRQs, etc. Each report also includes the AGOA, ATPDEA, BFTA, DR-CAFTA, CBTPA, Haitian HOPE, MFTA, NAFTA, SFTA, and UCFTA TPLs and TRQs for qualifying apparel and/or other textile articles, the TRQs on worsted wool fabrics, etc. (CBP's weekly TRQ/TPL commodity report available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/)

3. 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 and tariff preference levels 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 09/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

4. Sample Entry Summary Containing SLA 2008 Required Data Elements

CBP has posted a sample CBP Form 7501, an entry summary, which includes the additional data elements required by the Softwood Lumber Act of 2008 (SLA 2008).

(The SLA 2008 establishes an import data/declaration program under which importers are required to submit additional data elements (export price, export charges, and importer declaration indicator) for 'specified' softwood lumber and softwood lumber product imports. Although the SLA 2008 made these requirements effective August 18, 2008, CBP is delaying enforcement until September 18, 2008, the effective date of its interim rule on the requirements. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/08/08 news, 08090820, for most recent BP summary on the SLA 2008, with links to other relevant summaries.) (Sample 7501, posted 08/18/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/cargo_summary/misc_trade_tech_corrections_act/food_energy/softwood/sample.ctt/sample.pdf)

4. Other CBP Postings and Messages

CBP corrects ACE problem. CBP issued CSMS messages stating that it corrected a problem with a September 5, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. EDT start time regarding the Automated Commercial Environment. ACE was experiencing a problem impacting entry releases. (CSMS messages on this problem, hyperlinked, 08-000200, 08-000202, 08-000204, and 08-000205)

Surety name & codes. CBP has posted a document providing a comprehensive listing of active sureties and their associated 3-digit CBP codes. These sureties are found in the most recent Treasury Department Listing of Approved Sureties (Department Circular 570) dated July 1, 2008. (List, posted 09/05/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/priority_trade/revenue/surety_information/surety_names_codes.ctt/surety_names_codes.doc)

CBP El Paso discovers numerous violations. CBP reports that officers working at ports of entry in El Paso, Texas and New Mexico border crossings seized thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics, detected dozens of immigration violations, apprehended fugitives and seized numerous prohibited agriculture items during the week of September 1, 2008. (News release, dated 09/05/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09052008_6.xml)

Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for August 28 - September 3, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 09/03/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/0828_0903.xml)

CBP/ICE host human trafficking symposium. CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were scheduled to host a one-day joint symposium on human trafficking on September 9, 2008 in Washington, DC. (News release, dated 09/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/human_traffic.xml)

CBP announces hours of operation for SENTRI at San Ysidro. CBP reports that officials at San Ysidro, CA announced the hours of operation of the new permanent Secure Electronic Network for Traveler's Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) pedestrian lane scheduled to open on September 9, 2008. The lane will be open for use every day, including weekends and holidays, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (News release, dated 09/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09082008.xml)

Travelers advised of upgrades to Mariposa port of entry. CBP has announced that during the week of September 8, 2008 it will be upgrading vehicles lanes at the Mariposa port of entry in Nogales in anticipation of the full implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). (News release, dated 09/04/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09042008_3.xml)

CBP advised Buffalo to prepare for increase in traffic for football game. CBP advised travelers to prepare for a potential increase in cross-border travel in conjunction with the Buffalo Bills season opener against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, September 7, 2008. (News release, dated 09/05/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09052008_5.xml)

CBP presents WHTI outreach plans to news media. CBP officials participated in a roundtable with reporters to discuss the WHTI and to preview the new phase of the national public education campaign that was televised during the first regular season NFL game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. (News release, dated 09/04/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/whti_outreach.xml)