Sources at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and a recent National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) webinar have provided an update on using the new Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter1 containingthe Participating Government Agencies (PGA) data set for submitting the Lacey Act Amendments declaration for imported plants and plant products.
During Secretary of State Clinton's recent visit to South Korea, she and South Korean Foreign Minister Yu discussed the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. According to remarks made by Minister Yu, the U.S. and South Korea have agreed to work together to move forward on the U.S.-Korea FTA. (Remarks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yu, dated 02/20/09, available at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/02/119412.htm.)
Canada's Office of the Prime Minister has posted a brief summary of issues discussed by U.S. President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper, including the need to review management of the Canada-U.S. border. (Summary, dated 02/19/09, available at http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=2432)
CBP has issued a CSMS message announcing that an ACE Information Seminar will be held on March 25, 2009 in Sterling, VA. The cost is $55 for Washington Customs Brokers & Freight Forwarders Association (WCBFFA) members and $75.00 for non-members. CBP's CSMS message contains attachments with the seminar flyer and registration form. (CSMS 09-000093, dated 02/19/09, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17480&page=&srch_argv=09-000093&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2008.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message which announces that two rules in the Batch & Block Control Chapter of the ACE ABI CATAIR1 must soon be adhered to for all messages for six ABI application identifiers, or fatal errors will result.
In December 2008, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a frequently asked questions document regarding the submission of the licensed customs broker triennial status report and fee. CBP's FAQ stated that the triennial status report and the corresponding fee may be filed from January 2, 2009 through February 28, 2009 to be considered timely.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS regarding the new Participating Government Agencies Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) chapter that it recently posted to its Web site.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has previously announced that the next customs broker license examination will be held on Monday, Monday, April 6, 2009.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that it will begin implementing Automated Commercial Environment initial entry summary capabilities (ESAR A2.2) in Spring 2009 for the filing and processing of formal (type 01) and informal (type 11) entry summaries.