CBP has issued a CSMS message stating that it has come to its attention that some surety companies and some customs brokers, acting as agents for sureties, are using CBP 301 (customs bond) forms which include extraneous information such as "Power of Attorney Limited to [dollar amount]." All sureties and brokers are instructed to discontinue, effective immediately, use of any CBP 301 form which has such extraneous information. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/05/08 news, 08020505, for BP summary announcing that CBP would reject CBP 301 bond forms or bond riders submitted with extraneous liability limitation language effective February 11, 2008.) (CSMS 09-000209, dated 04/29/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17599&page=&srch_argv=09-000209&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted new guidance on how it will enforce the Lacey Act Plant Product Declaration1 requirement for covered products beginning May 1, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a Broker Self-Assessment Outreach Pilot Program (BSA pilot program) quick reference guide.
CBP has posted a notice on the Broker Self-Assessment Outreach Pilot (BSA pilot program) that it recently announced it would be launching. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/27/09 news, 09042710, for BP summary announcing that CBP is seeking applicants for the BSA pilot.) (Notice, dated 04/27/09, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/bsa/bsa_pilot.xml)
The Food and Drug Administration has announced the availability of a compliance guide for small entities regarding its November 2008 final rule on Prior Notice (PN) of imported food which takes effect May 6, 2009.
At the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America's annual conference, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided an update on 10+2. Among other things, officials discussed the possible extension of the delayed compliance period, penalties, Importer Security Filing (ISF) report cards, and filing statistics.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a general notice seeking volunteers for the Broker Self-Assessment Outreach Pilot (BSA pilot program, also referred to as the Broker Compliance Management program).
CBP has posted April 22, 2009 versions of the following previously posted ACE Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements (CAMIR-Air) documents: Appendix A - Codes and the Air AMS Message Types Chapter. These documents are posted for informational purposes and final versions of all ACE CAMIR-Air documents are expected soon. (Notice, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_edi_messages/camir_air/)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a revised version of its informed compliance publication entitled, What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Vehicles, Parts and Accessories Under the HTSUS.
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that on April 28, 2009, CBP will be hosting an ACE Seminar in El Paso, TX. Topics include: Current Status of ACE, Future Releases including Sea, Rail, Air Manifest and Entry Summary and Accounts Revenue and an ACE reports demonstration. CBP issued a subsequent message correcting the seminar date in its earlier message to April 28, 2009 (from May 28, 2009). (CSMS 09-000193, dated 04/20/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17582&page=&srch_argv=09-000193&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby; CSMS 09-000195, dated 04/21/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17584&http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17584&page=&srch_argv=09-000195&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby=)