The U.S. and Ecuador signed a phase one trade agreement that goes beyond the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement with requirements for online publication of customs information and customs brokers requirements; duties and fees; electronic submission of customs declaration and phytosanitary certificates; a single window for import and export; and advanced rulings that cover classification, valuation, origin, and application of quotas. Ecuador also agreed to no penalties on minor errors, unless they're part of a consistent pattern, and a procedure to correct errors without penalties.
The U.S. and Ecuador signed a phase one trade agreement that goes beyond the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement with requirements for online publication of customs information and customs brokers requirements; duties and fees; electronic submission of customs declaration and phytosanitary certificates; a single window for import and export; and advanced rulings that cover classification, valuation, origin, and application of quotas. Ecuador also agreed to no penalties on minor errors, unless they're part of a consistent pattern, and a procedure to correct errors without penalties.
International Trade Today is providing readers with the top stories from Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in case they were missed. All articles can be found by searching on the titles or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
The Census Bureau received a mixed bag of feedback as it considers whether to eliminate certain filing requirements for exports to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (see 2009160033). Many of the U.S. industry groups that submitted comments, released by Census Dec. 2, said the Automated Export System filings are a burden for their members and their elimination is long overdue. But government officials from both the U.S. and Puerto Rico cautioned Census about removing the requirements, saying it could lead to an absence of a vital source of data collection and damage the islands’ economies.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America is urging members to lobby their representatives for a provision that would allow companies to receive refunds for Section 301 duties paid when they learned too late that the product qualified for a tariff exclusion. If an entry had been liquidated before the exclusion was announced, CBP cannot refund the duties paid, even though the exclusions are designed to be retroactive. The group is hoping this provision can be included in the omnibus spending bill that may pass this month, it said.
House Ways and Means Committee member Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., said that although “the politics of trade are fairly tricky,” she feels confident in saying “things can't get any worse” for free trade during the Biden administration. Murphy, one of two members of the House speaking on a Cato Institute webinar about what to expect in trade with a new president, said she's encouraged by President-elect Joe Biden's choices for the secretaries of the treasury and state, and the head of the National Security Council, because all of the individuals recognize that trade is an important tool in foreign policy.
House Ways and Means Committee member Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., said that although “the politics of trade are fairly tricky,” she feels confident in saying “things can't get any worse” for free trade during the Biden administration. Murphy, one of two members of the House speaking on a Cato Institute webinar about what to expect in trade with a new president, said she's encouraged by President-elect Joe Biden's choices for the secretaries of the treasury and state, and the head of the National Security Council, because all of the individuals recognize that trade is an important tool in foreign policy.
The “idea of a regional” withhold release order is “certainly not out of play,” Department of Homeland Security acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said during a Dec. 2 conference call to announce a WRO on Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps cotton (see 2012020071). Such an action remains “legally doable,” though it takes a different “quantum of evidence to accomplish,” he said. CBP previously considered XPCC and regional WROs, but declined to go ahead with those in September (see 2009140040).
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America hired Chris Gillis, previously a reporter with American Shipper, as communications director, the NCBFAA said in a news release.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters: