International Trade Today is providing readers with some of the top stories for 2015 in case they were missed.
A home theater sound bar set with wireless connectivity features is best classified based on its loudspeaker functions, rather than other features, said CBP in HQ H250308, a Dec. 8 ruling (here). The importer, Venturer Electronics, filed a request for further review of protest for the RCA sound bar package. At import, the sound bar is packaged together with a remote control, a user manual, a wall mounting bracket, batteries for the remote control, a power cord, and a quick start guide.
Changes to the CBP's allowed response period for corrections to continuous bonds were clarified by the agency following concerns raised by industry, said the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America on its website (here). The International Trade Surety Association expressed some worry after CBP issued a final rule on the centralization of the continuous bond program in November (see 1511120010), said the NCBFAA. CBP's revenue division told ITSA that it will continue its practice of using a "buffer" period before actually turning "the bond off."
The Energy Department on Dec. 29 issued a proposed rule (here) that would require the filing in the Automated Commercial Environment at time of entry of “certifications of admissibility” for each shipment of products covered by DOE energy efficiency standards. Filers would be required to submit data elements referring to importers’ annual certifications if on file in DOE’s Compliance and Certification Management System. If not, filers would have to submit data on the specific product being imported. Additional data would be required if the product is a component incorporated into a final product. New filing requirements would take effect two years after publication of any final rule, said DOE. Comments on the proposed rule are due Feb. 12.
The government of Canada recently issued the following trade-related notices for Dec. 28 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):
Disagreements whether a proposed permanent ban on Internet access taxes should have been included in customs reauthorization legislation have left the bill stalled in the Senate and fogged up the prospect for quick movement of the trade legislation on the Senate floor. Because that language was inserted into the act’s conference report after being omitted from the original customs bills passed by the House and Senate, it could be subject to a point of order, which supporters of the ban would need 60 votes to waive, said a lobbyist and congressional staffer. The House passed the bill, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (HR-644), Dec. 11, but the Senate hasn't scheduled a vote on the bill.
Disagreements whether a proposed permanent ban on Internet access taxes should have been included in customs reauthorization legislation have left the bill stalled in the Senate and fogged up the prospect for quick movement of the trade legislation on the Senate floor. Because that language was inserted into the act’s conference report after being omitted from the original customs bills passed by the House and Senate, it could be subject to a point of order, which supporters of the ban would need 60 votes to waive, said a lobbyist and congressional staffer. The House passed the bill, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (HR-644), Dec. 11, but the Senate hasn't scheduled a vote on the bill.
Disagreements whether a proposed permanent ban on Internet access taxes should have been included in customs reauthorization legislation have left the bill stalled in the Senate and fogged up the prospect for quick movement of the trade legislation on the Senate floor. Because that language was inserted into the act’s conference report after being omitted from the original customs bills passed by the House and Senate, it could be subject to a point of order, which supporters of the ban would need 60 votes to waive, said a lobbyist and congressional staffer. The House passed the bill, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (HR-644), Dec. 11, but the Senate hasn't scheduled a vote on the bill.
Disagreements over whether a proposed permanent ban on Internet access taxes should have been included in customs reauthorization legislation have left the bill stalled in the Senate and fogged up the prospect for quick movement of the “Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015” to a vote on the Senate floor. Because that language was inserted into the act’s conference report after being omitted from the original customs bills passed by the House and Senate, it could be subject to a point of order, which supporters of the ban would need 60 votes to waive, said a lobbyist and Congressional staffer. The House passed the bill on Dec. 11, but the Senate has yet to schedule a vote on the bill.
Akin Gump hired Tyson Smith, previously a consultant with TradeMoves, as a customs and international trade specialist in the Washington office, the law firm said (here). Smith is a licensed customs broker and will work with Akin Gump clients on tariff classification, valuation and binding rulings, among other things, the firm said.