CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a memorandum on the 2009 duty-free U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) tariff preference level for certain non-originating Nicaragua apparel of cotton or man-made fiber (MMF), or subject to cotton or MMF restraints, as provided for in HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XV, U.S. Note 15. The 2009 Nicaragua TPL was scheduled to open on Friday, January 2, 2009, with a TPL limit of 100,000,000 square meter equivalents (SME).
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1. CBP Announces 2009 DR-CAFTA TPL for Certain Non-Originating Nicaragua Cotton/MMF Apparel
According to CBP sources, its memo is missing certain information and will be corrected and reissued. (BP will provide additional details when the corrected memo is released.) (QBT-08-571, dated 12/31/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2008/qbt_08_571.ctt/qbt_08_571.pdf)
2. CBP Announces 2009 Apparel TPL for Haiti Under HOPE I and II
CBP has issued a memorandum on the duty-free Haiti Hemispheric Opportunity Through Partnership for Encouragement Acts of 2006 and 2008 (HOPE I and II) value-added apparel TPL for the period December 20, 2008 through December 19, 2009. This TPL was scheduled to open on December 22, 2008. Once the in-quota allocation is filled, goods will be allowed to enter at the normal trade relations rate or HTS general rate of duty. (See memorandum for details on the treatment of ensembles, etc.) (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/19/08 news, 08121920, for BP summary of CITA notice on this TPL.) (QBT-08-120, dated 12/18/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2008/qbt_08_120.ctt/qbt_08_120.doc.)
3. CBP to Deploy Certain ACE Capabilities within A2.1 Release on Jan. 24th
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that it will deploy certain enhanced ACE capabilities within the ESAR A2.1 release effective January 24, 2009. (See future issue of ITT for details.) (CSMS 09-000006, dated 01/08/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17392&page=&srch_argv=09-000006&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
4. Port of Eastport, Idaho Granted a "Snow Day" for January 7th
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that due to severe weather conditions and the loss of electrical power, the Port of Eastport, Idaho (port code 3302), is being granted a snow day for all filers filing entries at the port on January 7, 2009. Resultant from this situation, CBP is granting one additional day without penalty for the submission of entries and payment of duties that were due on January 7, 2009. (CSMS 09-000005, dated 01/07/08, http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17391&page=&srch_argv=09-000005&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
5. CBP Messages on Extension of GSP/ATPDEA, Bolivia's ATPA/ATPDEA Suspension
CBP has issued a CSMS message on the extension of the expiration of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/20/08 news, 08102015, for BP summary of President Bush signing H.R. 7222 into law, which extended GSP, ATPDEA, etc.)
CBP has also issued a CSMS message on the suspension of Bolivia's designation as an Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA)/ATPDEA beneficiary country. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/05/08 news, 08120505, for BP summary of Proclamation 8323, which suspended Bolivia.) (Message on GSP, ATPDEA extension, 09-000004, dated 01/07/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17390&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby; Message on Bolivia's suspension, CSMS 09-000007, dated 01/08/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17393&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)
6. Other CBP Postings and Messages
CBP facts and figures. CBP has posted a document providing a "snapshot" of CBP facts and figures. (Snapshot, dated 01/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/cbp_overview/cbp_snapshot_final.ctt/cbp_snapshot_final.pdf)
ACE PGA Ambassador profile. CBP has posted the ACE PGA Ambassador Profile of Cornelia Mueller, an employee of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (Profile, dated 12/29/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/whats_new/cornelia_mueller.xml)
VWP Q&A. CBP has posted a questions and answers document on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. (Q&A, dated 01/07/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/travel/qa_machine_readable/qa_mach_read.xml)
Global Entry Program guide. CBP has posted a Global Entry Program information Guide to its Web site. (Guide, posted 01/05/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/travel/global_brochure.ctt/global_brochure.pdf)
Updated ESTA Web page. CBP has updated its Electronic System for Travel Authorization Web page. (Web page available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/)
OARS information. CBP has posted information on Outlying Area Reporting Station (OARS). The OARS program uses videophones, typically located at public marinas, which boaters may use to report to CBP officers. (Notice, dated 12/30/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/oars.xml)