CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. CBP Provides Hurricane Ike Updates, Certain Ports Closed

2. Weekly TRQ/TPL Commodity Report as of September 22, 2008

CBP has issued its weekly tariff rate quota and tariff preference level commodity report as of September 22, 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 09/22/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

4. ACE "Topic" Document on Running ACE Reports (Not for Truck Carriers)

CBP has posted an ACE "Topic" document providing information on running ACE reports, for all trade users, except truck carriers. The document covers general information, running a standard report, running a modified report, creating a customized report, etc. (Topic document, posted 09/22/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_welcome/ace_reports/new_tool.ctt/new_tool.pdf)

5. COAC IPR Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Posted

CBP has posted the minutes from the August 28, 2008 and September 11, 2008 Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Subcommittee meetings. (Minutes available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/coac/subcommittee_activities/ipr_enforcement/)

6. Other CBP Postings and Messages

Application information for reconciliation prototype. CBP has posted instructions on how to apply to participate in the reconciliation prototype. (Information, dated 09/17/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/cargo_summary/reconciliation/participate.xml)

Information on importing a motor vehicle. CBP has posted a notice providing detailed information on importing a motor vehicle. The notice covers prior arrangements, documentation, dutiable and free entry, etc. (Information, dated 08/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml)

CBP advisory on Pembina construction project. CBP reports that it is improving the commercial vehicle infrastructure at the Pembina, ND port of entry by replacing some concrete on the roadways and parking lots throughout the crossing. The project is currently underway and is anticipated to last until late October 2008. CBP notes that commercial traffic may see some delays during some parts of the construction project. (News release, dated 09/18/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09182008_2.xml)

Illegal imported species seized. CBP reports that agriculture specialists at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport routinely seize goods confiscated from passengers, most of which are banned from being imported in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). One such seizure occurred on August 16, 2008, when a CBP agriculture specialist discovered a Gambian crocodile skin in baggage from a passenger arriving from Dakar, Senegal. (News release, dated 09/15/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09152008_7.xml)

CBP announces completion of "Operation Magic Kharpet." CBP reports that its Houston field office has announced the successful completion of "Operation Magic Kharpet" in Oklahoma and Texas. This operation brings CBP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plant Protection and Quarantine office, and the Texas and Oklahoma departments of agriculture together to address a significant threat to the U.S. agriculture industry and to the U.S. consumer. (News release, dated 09/19/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/magic_kharpet.xml)

Summer edition of Frontline posted. CBP has posted the Summer 2008 issue of its Frontline magazine, CBP's quarterly magazine on border security. (Frontline available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/frontline_magazine/frontline_summer_2008.ctt/frontline_summer_2008.pdf)

Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP has posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for September 11 - 17, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 09/17/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/0911_0917.xml)

FAST driver caught attempting to smuggle drugs. CBP reports that officers at the Ambassador Bridge, Fort Street Cargo Facility encountered an individual who was a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) member attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. (News release, dated 09/18/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/09182008.xml)

Human trafficking symposium documents posted. CBP has created a Web page providing documents and information regarding its recent Human Trafficking Symposium. (Web page available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/highlights/ice/)