CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. Weekly TRQ/TPL Commodity Report as of January 21, 2009

2. 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 TRQs and TPLs that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low duty) rate. The list, which was posted January 21, 2009, is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, posted 01/21/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

3. CBP Memo on 2009 DR-CAFTA Apparel TPLs for Costa Rica

CBP has issued a memorandum on the 2009 tariff preference levels for Costa Rica under the U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement for certain apparel of wool fabric, certain tailored wool apparel, and mastectomy swimsuits. Note that CBP's memo contains incorrect HTS numbers for entering the swimsuits. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/20/09 news, 09012020, for most recent BP summary on Costa Rica's DR-CAFTA benefits, which contains the correct HTS numbers for such swimsuits.) (QBT-09-100, dated 01/09/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/qbts/qbt2009/qbt_09_100.ctt/qbt_09_100.pdf)

4. CBP Amends Morocco FTA Implementation Information

CBP has issued a memorandum amending the Morocco Free Trade Agreement (MFTA) Implementing Information, Attachment A (Data Elements for the Statement Made under the MFTA), data element 6 (Preference Criterion), to conform to 19 CFR 10.764(vi) (description of operations performed for the MFTA declaration). (CBP memo, posted 01/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/free_trade/morocco/amended_mfta.ctt/amended_mfta.doc)

5. Processing Delay for PMS Preliminary Statements on Jan 16th

CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that there was a delay in processing preliminary Periodic Monthly Statements on January 16, 2009. The preliminary statements were to be available by 5:00 p.m. EDT on January 16th. (CSMS 09-000041dated 01/16/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17427&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)

6. CBP Posts Updated Version of User Fee Decals and Transponders Notice

CBP has posted an updated version of its user fee decals and transponders notice. The following are highlights of the changes made:

New DTOPS address. A new address is provided for Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS), as follows:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Attn: DTOPS Program Administrator

1. 0 Telecom Drive, Suite 100

Indianapolis, IN 46278

9 digit account numbers. CBP's notice states that each customer that has purchased a user fee within the last year has been assigned a nine (9) digit account number. (CBP previously stated that customers were assigned a twenty (20) digit account number.)

Application processing times lengthened. CBP's updated version of the decals and transponders notice lists the following processing times upon receipt of application (previous reporting times are in parenthesis):

(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/18/08 news, 08111815, for BP summary announcing that DTOPS went live on November 17th.) (User fee decal and transponder notice, dated 01/09/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/user_fee_decal.xml)

7. Dec. 2008 New/Modified ACE EDI Messages for Release 4 Truck Manifest

CBP has posted the following new/modified ACE EDI messages for Release 4 Truck Manifest for December 31, 2008:

ANSI X.12 Message Sets

Truck Manifest 309 Message

UN EDIFACT Message Sets for Standard Manifest

Standard Truck Crew and Passenger PAXLST Passenger List Message

(2008 change record, updated 01/09/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/carrier_info/etruck_tech_info/ace_edi_drafts/edi_messages/ansi_message_sets/rec_changes/)

8. Jan. 2009 New/Modified ACE EDI Messages for Release 4 Truck Manifest

CBP has posted the following new/modified ACE EDI messages for Release 4 Truck Manifest for January 12, 2009:

ANSI X.12 Message Sets

Truck Manifest 358 Message

UN EDIFACT Message Sets for Standard Manifest

MEDPID Response

(2009 change record, updated 01/14/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/carrier_info/etruck_tech_info/ace_edi_drafts/edi_messages/ansi_message_sets/rec_changes/)

9. WHTI EDI Document Code Changes

CBP has issued a CSMS message on Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) EDI document code changes. CBP states that June 2009 persons entering the U.S. will have to present approved documentation to affirm citizenship. These documents will also be required in the transmission of automated manifests. In manifests transmitted via EDI the segments that will be affected are:

ANSI X12 309 and 358 set REF01

EDIFACT PAXLST DOC0280 C002 1001

EDIFACT MEDPID RFF0170 C506 1153/1154

According to CBP,

1. new WHTI compliant codes for documents will become effective in June 2009,
2. non-WHTI compliant codes currently used for documents will expire in June 2009, and
3. current codes used for documents will have their definitions changed to become WHTI compliant

After June 2009, manifest transmissions missing information provided through the WHTI compliant codes and references, and which is not provided for in the user's account will be rejected. CBP notes that these changes have already been made to the ANSI X12 309 and 358 sets, and the EDIFACT PAXLST and MEDPID (see above). (CSMS 09-000043 dated 01/16/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17429&page=&srch_argv=09-000043&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)

10. Various CBP Postings

New traffic lanes open at Paso Del Norte, others closed. CBP has issued a news release announcing that officials in El Paso are alerting members of the traveling public that traffic at the downtown Paso Del Norte international crossing at the El Paso port of entry were to be rerouted from the westernmost five lanes to the easternmost four lanes starting January 17, 2009. While the western lanes are closed, workers will begin upgrades including the installation of Radio Frequency Identification technology hardware in the vehicle inspection lanes. (News release, dated 01/16/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/01162009_2.xml)

Operation Stonegarden border support to continue in 2009. CBP has issued a news release stating that the Department of Homeland Security has announced $60 million in funding for fiscal year 2009 for Operation Stonegarden. This initiative gives state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies additional funding to strengthen U.S. borders. (News release, dated 01/16/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/01162009_4.xml)

Guidelines for non-commercial vehicle importations for non-residents. CBP has posted a notice providing uniform guidelines for the importation of personal vehicles for personal use by nonresidents. (Notice, dated 01/21/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/non_comm_vehicle_import.xml)