The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) has reported that container operations have slowed at the Port of Oakland as a result of striking truck drivers. The drivers are demanding shipping lines pay them increased base rates and fuel surcharges. In addition, the Port of Norfolk is experiencing a strike as truckers there protest delays, difficulty in getting higher pay, and compensation for rising diesel fuel prices. (JoC Pub 05/07/04, www.joc.com)
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the low-duty Tariff Preference Level (TPL) (1) for Mexico filled on April 27, 2004 at 1:57 p.m eastern time.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted notice to the Pilot Bond Centralization Program section of its Web site stating that in order to expedite the processing of continuous bonds, a fax number, telephone number, and the 3-digit broker filer code should be provided on bond applications. (Notice available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_industry/pilot_program/.)
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the low-duty Tariff Preference Level (TPL) (2) for Mexico filled on April 21, 2004 at 3:21 p.m.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing that it has issued the second edition of its Questions and Answers (Q&A) on the prior notice requirement for imported food. This revised guidance is entitled "Questions and Answers Regarding the Interim Final Rule on Prior Notice of Imported Food (Edition 2)" and is dated May 2004.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued two administrative messages (one in April 2004 and one in November 2002) regarding antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CV) duty cases where the AD/CV deposit rate is either: (1) an ad valorem rate, (2) a specific rate, or (3) an ad valorem rate or a specific rate for the same time period, as follows:
The Journal of Commerce reports that the U.S. may have to drop 27% duties on Canadian lumber shipments after a NAFTA binational panel ruled that the U.S. International Trade Commission's finding that tariffs are needed because Canadian imports push down prices "is not supported by substantial evidence." According to the article, the U.S. has 21 days to redo its figures or end the duties. (JoC dated 04/30/04, www.joc.com.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an administrative message stating that the third 2003/2004 specialty sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) provided for in HTS Chapter 17, Additional U.S. Note (AUSN) 5 which opened on Monday, April 19, 2004, over-subscribed at opening moment. According to CBP, the pro rata percentage is 24.96% (.2496).
The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) held a quarterly meeting on April 2, 2004 in Washington, DC to discuss, and receive updates from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials on various trade and customs issues.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an updated Industry Guidance which lists, and provides a written description for, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers that are flagged in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) entry system with imported food prior notice FD3 or FD4 indicators.