CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message announcing recent changes to the 2008 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HS Update No. 0806). This update contains 46,415 ABI records and 7,417 harmonized tariff records. Changes include the following:
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1. Harmonized System Update - Changes to the 2008 HTS
Changes made as a result of the Committee for Statistical Annotation of Tariff Schedules, the 484(f)Committee
Annual staged rate reductions for 2009
Cotton fee adjustments mandated by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
CBP adds that this update may also contain changes required by the verification of the 2008 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
CBP states that updated records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures outlined in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR).
(CSMS 08-000340, dated 12/10/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17367&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)
2. New Code Added to CATAIR for Diverting In-Bond Movements
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that a new code 'Z' is now available for use in the WP10 Record Action Code field (position 3) of the CATAIR In-Bond Chapter (Application identifiers QP and WP). This code is identical to the code 'Z' used by Automated Manifest System (AMS) participants in the M15 of the 353 set in the ANSI X12 standard and in the H01 record of the HI set of the Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements (CAMIR) standard. The code signifies a request by the carrier to divert an in-bond movement. (CSMS 08-000343, dated 12/12/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17370&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)
3. 2009 TRQ Opening Notices
CBP has issued notices regarding openings for the following tariff rate quotas:
(See future issues of ITT for detailed BP summaries of these notices.)
4. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List
CBP has posted an updated version of its tariff rate quota/tariff preference level "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor TRQs and 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 12/11/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)
5. Summary of AESTIR Changes for December 10th
CBP has posted a summary of changes to the Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements (AESTIR) to its Web site, indicating that Version 1.0 was changed on December 10, 2008 as follows:
Appendix F - License and License Exemption Type Codes and Reporting Guidelines
Allowed Export Info Code 'IW' added to License Codes C30 and C31.
(CBP summary of changes available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/automated/aes/tech_docs/aestir/june04_intro/june04_summary_of_chngs.ctt/june04_summary_of_chngs.doc)
6. ACE Certification Environment to be Down Dec 13 - Jan 12
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that the ACE Certification Environment will be unavailable beginning December 13, 2008 through January 12, 2009. If the environment becomes available earlier, a notification will be issued. According to CBP sources, this is the testing environment and the downtime should not impact the trade. (CSMS 08-000342, dated 12/11/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17369&page=&srch_argv=08-000342&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
7. Other CBP Postings and Messages
"ACE on the Road" event schedule. CBP has posted an updated version of its ACE on the Road event schedule. There are currently no events listed; however, the notice does include a link to an ACE trade outreach presentation. (Schedule, dated 12/11/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_on_the_road.xml)
DTOPS order status information. CBP has posted a notice to assist customers in understanding the Decal Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) order process, what the different order statuses mean, and what customers should expect to see at various points during the order process. (Notice, dated 12/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/dtops.xml)
RLF application info. CBP has posted a notice providing information regarding Remote Location Filing (RLF) applications. (Notice, dated 12/09/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/remote_location_filing/application.xml)
FAST members can now create accounts online via GOES. CBP has issued a news release announcing that current members of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) frequent border crosser program can now create an account online through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). (News release, dated 12/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12122008.xml)
Drugs found in commercial truck. CBP has issued a news release announcing that officers performing anti-terrorism inspections at the El Paso port of entry seized a mixed load of 693 pounds of marijuana and eight pounds of cocaine that were concealed in a commercial truck. (News release, dated 12/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12082008_2.xml)
Agriculture specialists seize charred monkeys, etc. CBP has issued a news release announcing that agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport recently seized three charred monkeys, 10 pounds of deer meat, and 10 pounds of dried beef that was found in the luggage of an African traveler. (News release, dated 12/08/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12082008_3.xml)
El Paso area ports see increase in agriculture related seizures. CBP has issued a news release announcing that officers at El Paso area ports have seen an increase in agriculture related seizures. (News release, 12/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12122008_6.xml)
CBP conducts agriculture inspection blitz. CBP has issued a news release announcing that agriculture specialists inspected the luggage of all 366 passengers who arrived aboard two flights, a Korean Airlines flight and an All Nippon Airways flight, to Washington Dulles International Airport on December 11, 2008. The inspection, dubbed Operation Checkpoint, is part of a continuing agriculture enforcement blitz and awareness campaign that focuses on intercepting high-risk agriculture products on flights originating in various nations. (News release, dated 12/12/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12122008_7.xml)
CBP upgrading vehicle lanes at Calexico ports of entry for RFID. CBP has issued a news release announcing the upgrade of vehicle lanes at the Calexico ports of entry. The work entails upgrades to both crossings by the installation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology hardware in all vehicle inspection lanes. Construction began December 3, 2008 and is expected to be completed on December 20, 2008 at the east border crossing and January 20, 2009 at the downtown port of entry. (News release, dated 12/11/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12112008_3.xml)
NEXUS lane opened at International Falls port. CBP has issued a news release announcing the opening of the NEXUS lane effective December 15, 2008 at the International Falls port of entry. The NEXUS lane will operate between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., seven days a week. (News release, dated 12/11/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12112008_5.xml)
New WHTI Web page. CBP has posted a link to its Web site for a new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Web page. (Web page available at http://www.getyouhome.gov/)