CBP Issues New ICP on Coastwise Transportation of Merchandise
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new informed compliance publication entitled What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Coastwise Trade: Merchandise.
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This publication was prepared by the Border Security & Trade Compliance Division of Regulations and Rulings and its purpose is to identify the laws and regulations that are to be adhered to by the trade community engaged in the coastwise transportation of merchandise.
(Under 19 CFR 4.80b, "[a] coastwise transportation of merchandise takes place, within the meaning of the coastwise laws, when merchandise laden at a point embraced within the coastwise laws ("coastwise point") is unladen at another coastwise point, regardless of the origin or ultimate destination of the merchandise." For example, a coastwise transportation occurs when merchandise is loaded onto a vessel in San Francisco and carried to Seattle, where it is unloaded.)
Overview of ICP
This ICP covers the following topics (see ICP for details):
- Introduction
- Background
- Coastwise Laws
- The Jones Act
Transportation of Merchandise
What is Merchandise?
What is Not Merchandise?
Application of the Jones Act
Requirements
- Implementing Regulations
- Vessels Entitled to Engage in Coastwise Trade
- Coastwise Transportation of Merchandise
- New and Different Product
- Prematurely Landed Merchandise
- Empty Cargo Containers, Stevedoring Equipment
- Penalty
- Exceptions
- Waiver Authority
- National Defense
- Waiver Request
- Coordination with Other Agencies
- Additional information
ICP Provided for Informational Purposes Only
CBP states that the information provided in this publication is for general information purposes only. CBP cautions that because many complicated factors can be involved in customs issues, an importer may wish to obtain a ruling under CBP Regulations, 19 CFR Part 177, or obtain advice from an expert (such as a licensed customs broker, attorney or consultant) who specializes in customs matters. Reliance solely on the general information in this ICP may not be considered reasonable care.
ICP on coastwise trade (dated January 2009 available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/legal/informed_compliance_pubs/merchandise.ctt/merchandise.pdf