Note that Daily Update on Capitol Hill Trade Actions does not appear in today's issue of International Trade Today. Publication of this feature will resume as new information becomes available.
On August 6, 2009, Senate Finance Committee leaders Baucus (D) and Grassley (R) introduced the "Customs Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2009" (S.1631).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message reminding Importer Security Filing filers that certain edits will become fatal errors on August 15, 2009 as scheduled.
In UPS Customhouse Brokerage, Inc., v. U.S., the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the decision of the Court of International Trade that UPS had misclassified certain merchandise under HTS 8473.30.90, but the CAFC invalidated the CIT's holding concerning Customs' determination that UPS did not exercise responsible supervision and control under 19 USC 1641.
On July 30, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2749), a bill to require registration of importers and brokers; generate resources to support FDA oversight of food safety; increase inspections; and require food imports to demonstrate safety; among other things.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted new versions of the ACE Portal Reports Dictionaries for importers, brokers, carriers, and sureties.
CBP has announced that it will be providing free North America Free Trade Agreement training in Pembina, North Dakota on September 16, 2009. This training is being provided to help the international trade community better understand the necessary requirements for claiming NAFTA on merchandise entering the U.S.
On July 30, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2749), a bill to require registration of importers, brokers, and food facilities; generate resources to support FDA oversight of food safety; increase inspections; and require food imports to demonstrate safety; among other things.
The port of Los Angeles reports that for the period of June 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009, 58.64% of the 177,920 cargo moves at its terminals were made by clean trucks that meet or exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2007 emissions standards. (Notice, available at http://www.portoflosangeles.org/)
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America has presented U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Ahern with a white paper outlining its ACE priorities for customs brokers.