Apple sold the personal iTunes music listening information of millions of iPhone users to app developers, data aggregators, list brokers and other third parties in violation of various privacy laws, alleged a complaint (in Pacer) Friday in U.S. District Court in San Jose. The disclosures were done “for further exploitation and monetization – all without providing prior notice to or obtaining the requisite consent from anyone,” said the complaint, which seeks class-action status.
Apple sold the personal iTunes music listening information of millions of iPhone users to app developers, data aggregators, list brokers and other third parties in violation of various privacy laws, alleged a complaint (in Pacer) Friday in U.S. District Court in San Jose. The disclosures were done “for further exploitation and monetization – all without providing prior notice to or obtaining the requisite consent from anyone,” said the complaint, which seeks class-action status.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its spring 2019 regulatory agenda for CBP. There were no new trade-related rulemakings included.
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy has announced a 90-day grace period for new requirements to submit proof of compliance with certain Mexican product standards at the time of entry, according to a circular issued by the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations that posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. Under regulations issued in October, imports subject to some Mexican standards will be denied entry into Mexico beginning June 3, 2019, if they are not accompanied by a certificate of compliance previously entered into an automated system by the third-party certifier (see 1904100076).
Importers of goods from Vietnam into Mexico cannot currently request preferential duty treatment under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations said in a May 21 circular posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. Though Vietnam has notified Mexico of the format of its certificate of origin to request preferential treatment, some doubts have surfaced about certificates that are being presented by importers, CAAAREM said.
The Treasury Department published its spring 2019 regulatory agenda for CBP. The agenda includes a new rulemaking that would amend CBP's regulations to revise the language on duty-free goods returned. The agency will try to issue an interim final rule by August this year. Specifically, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act extended duty-free treatment to products of non-U.S. origin exported and returned to the U.S. within three years after having been exported, and created a separate tariff schedule "subheading for returned U.S. Government property allowing duty-free return of U.S. Government property without time and origin restrictions."
Mexican customs will not enforce certificate of compliance requirements for imports of automobile safety belts at the time of entry into the country, said the Confederation of Mexican Customs Broker Associations in a May 15 bulletin. At this time, there are no accredited and approved certification bodies to evaluate conformity with Mexican standards for safety belts under Mexican tariff schedule subheading 8708.21.01, the bulletin said. The exemption will remain in place until one year after the policy was issued on May 2.
Brokers Should Protest Liquidations Subject to Pending Tariff Exclusion Requests, C.H. Robinson Says
Importers should have their customs broker file a protest on liquidated entries that are subject to pending exclusion requests on the Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs, C.H. Robinson said in a notice to customers posted May 15. "Entries typically liquidate 314 days after entry date," the company said. "However, we have seen some entries liquidate sooner. If you have a product exclusion request pending, and your entry liquidates before it has received a determination, request that your broker submit a protest to CBP with the notation 'Section 232 (or 301) product exclusion pending.' That notation will allow time for the product exclusion to be determined." That way, if the exclusion is approved, "the protest can be amended to include the exclusion number or information and a duty refund to be issued," and "if denied, the protest can be withdrawn." A CBP official recently said the agency will be unable to give any refunds once a protest period expires even if an exclusion is later granted (see 1905090059).
CBP is planning to create a “best practices” guide for the auto export trade industry “about the documentation and submission of title validation under section 192,” according to a letter from CBP provided by the Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association. CBP is also planning to hold a question-and-answer session “to address any export concerns,” specifically relating to the “current Auto Export process” in the Los Angeles/Long Beach port, the letter said. The session is designed to help CBP gather a best-practices guide to “expedite trade while allowing CBP to focus on deterring the export of stolen” cars, according to the letter. The meeting is scheduled for May 21 in Long Beach, California.
The Mexican Tax Administration Service issued a notice May 8 amending the country’s Foreign Trade Regulations. Changes include the addition and removal of tariff subheadings -- all involving textiles, apparel and footwear -- from several annexes that list goods subject to import permits, goods that are prohibited from transit, and goods that may be moved through certain ports, among other things, according to a Confederation of Mexican Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) circular posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. The notice also makes changes to requirements for Mexican customs brokers.