The U.S. and Ukraine signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement meant to help prevent and detect customs violations, said CBP in a May 23 news release (here). “This agreement will enable us to jointly collaborate on investigations, share best practices, expand on our bilateral relationship, and exchange information that is vital to our national and economic security,” said CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. The agreement "is the result of negotiations that began in June 2014," he said in remarks prepared for the signing ceremony (here). The U.S. now has CMAAs with 76 countries around the world, he said. "This Agreement forms an excellent foundation for other areas of cooperation, such as a Mutual Recognition Arrangement between Authorized Economic Operator programs. Such programs establish pre-vetted importers, exporters, freight-forwarders, shippers, and brokers to ensure optimal security while facilitating legitimate trade," said Kerlikowske.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 16-20 in case they were missed.
As the expansion of automated systems promotes greater supply chain efficiencies, governments should consider facilitating activities like early goods release, economic mutual recognition agreements, and greater federal spending on U.S. transportation infrastructure, panelists said at Global Supply Chain Summit on May 18. While infrastructure “choke points” prevent supply chains from fully benefiting from recent advances in technology and e-commerce, funding provided through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) should help CBP improve its Free and Secure Trade program (FAST program), National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America Vice President Amy Magnus said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its Spring 2016 regulatory agenda for CBP (here). The agenda includes a rulemaking on the modernization of customs broker exam regulations (here). A CBP official recently said a proposal on changes to the exams was in the works (see 1604220023). The exam rulemaking seems to replace a rulemaking listed on the previous agenda on modernizing broker regulations (see 1511200014). Both items have the same Regulatory Identification Number.
Form 7501s stamped by CBP for vehicle imports don't signify compliance with other government agency statutes and regulations, said CBP in a CSMS message (here). There's some confusion about this issue and the CBP stamp and signature only means that the importer completed the CBP import processing and provided proof of ownership by presenting the original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the originals," said CBP. "Customs brokers may print an ACE electronic equivalent of the CF 7501 for CBP to sign and stamp," for clients, though Departments of Motor Vehicles may notice a difference between the 7501 and the equivalent, CBP said. "For the purpose of individuals registering their vehicles in the United States, CBP will only stamp a paper CF 7501 or its ACE electronic equivalent upon request. CBP will not stamp any other form/document as substitution for the CF 7501 and CBP will not stamp or sign any other U.S. Government agencies’ forms (e.g., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration HS-7 Declaration Form or the Environmental Protection Agency 3520-1 Form). As CBP goes forward with ACE, "CBP will be exploring opportunities to streamline this process with the DMVs; however, this policy will remain the same until further notice," the agency said.
The shift to ACE and automation marks a large cultural shift within the government and represents a move toward a 21st century supply chain, said Maria Luisa Boyce, CBP’s senior advisor for trade engagement, during a U.S. Chamber of Commerce conference on supply chains. The agency needs to keep nimble even as it deals with challenges of infrastructure and existing processes, she said. The agency's focus is continues to evolve, most recently with the customs reauthorization law, she said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of May 9-15:
CBP addressed several concerns recently raised by importers and the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America about coming rules on imports made by forced or child labor (see 1605090007). There are several paths for importers to defend allegations importing goods subject to withhold release orders, said a CBP spokeswoman in an email. The agency also responded to questions about its use of risk-based targeting for WROs and training for CBP officers at the ports.
International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for May 9-13 in case they were missed.
The recently increased $800 de minimis limit is causing a shift in business practices for brokers and importers, and raising questions and concerns over a growing number of low value shipments, said customs brokers and importers in recent interviews. Some in the trade community still await guidance on how to proceed with low-value shipments regulated by agencies other than CBP. There is also some concern the higher limit could cause more importers to break up their shipments to avoid the entry process and associated duties, customs brokers said.