CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted to its Unified Business Resumption Messaging Web site messages providing a port status update in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The most recent message was issued at 5:30 p.m. EST on September 17, 2008. In addition, CBP issued an alert on Hurricane Ike port closures (as of 5:30 p.m. EST on September 17, 2008). Note that the ports listed as closed by the UBRM messages and alert differ. (UBRM Web site available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/bus_resumption/maritime/; Alert available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/alerts/port_conditions/port_conditions_ike.xml)
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Communications Daily is required reading for senior executives at top telecom corporations, law firms, lobbying organizations, associations and government agencies (including the FCC). Join them today!
1. CBP Provides Hurricane Ike Updates, Certain Ports Closed
2. CBP Grants Snow Days for Certain Texas Ports
CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that snow days for September 12, 15, and 16, 2008 will be declared for filers and other service providers that process entries in the ports of Houston (5301), Galveston (5310), Arthur (2101) and Freeport (5311). (CSMS 08-000224, dated 09/18/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17248&page=&srch_argv=08-000224&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby, CSMS on the snow days (with incorrect dates, without Arthur) 08-000223, dated 09/18/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17247&page=&srch_argv=08-000223&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
3. Other CBP Postings and Messages
BASC information. CBP has posted information on Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC)/World BASC Organization, an international business alliance created to promote supply chain security in cooperation with government agencies and international organizations. BASC currently has over 2,500 companies that have been certified by the organization and it operates in 12 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. (Info, dated 09/15/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/international_operations/partnerships/basc.xml)
ACE problems. CBP issued a CSMS message stating that ACE system downtime occurred between 9:03 p.m. - 9:12 p.m. EDT on September 14, 2008. The system was restored at 9:12 p.m. EDT. CBP previously issued a CSMS message announcing that ACE would be down during this time. On September 14, 2008, CBP also issued a CSMS message stating that ACE was experiencing invocation targeting exception errors. (CSMS messages, dated 09/14/08, hyperlinked: 08-000216, 08-000214, and 08-000212)
CBP reminds travelers not to import avocados with seeds from Mexico. CBP officials are reminding members of the traveling public that the personal importation of avocados from Mexico is prohibited unless the seed has been removed. CBP agriculture specialists in El Paso recently discovered a shipment of avocados infested with the avocado seed weevil larvae. (News release, dated 09/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09122008.xml)
3 foreign species seen for first time in U.S. CBP reports that in the past few months agriculture specialists in Los Angeles have intercepted two insects and one plant disease foreign to the U.S. that have never been seen in the U.S. (News release, dated 09/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09122008_4.xml)
CBP launches WHTI advertising campaign in Canada. CBP reports that it is launching a television and print advertising campaign in Canada today to remind the Canadian public about travel document requirements for entry into the U.S. pursuant to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which go into effect on June 1, 2009. (News releases, dated 09/15/08, available in English at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09152008_2.xml, in French at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09152008_french.xml)
Travel advisory for Blaine border crossings. CBP is announcing the upgrade of vehicle lanes at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings during the week of September 15, 2008. The construction, which entails upgrades to both Blaine crossings by the installation of a new Vehicle Primary Client computer system and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology hardware in all vehicle inspection lanes, will help speed travel and further enhance border security. (News release, dated 09/15/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09152008_3.xml)
PIA on use of RFID technology. CBP has released its Privacy Impact Assessment on the use of RFID technology at border crossings. (PIA, dated 01/22/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/ref_material/privacy_jan08_1.ctt/privacy_jan08.pdf)
PIA on procedures for processing travel documents at the border. CBP has also released its Privacy Impact Assessment on CBP procedures for processing travel documents at the border. (PIA, dated 07/02/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/ref_material/privacy_july08_1.ctt/privacy_july08.pdf)
Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for September 4 - 10, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 09/11/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/0904_0910.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.)