According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notice and CBP sources, the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) filing of entries for goods eligible for U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (UAFTA) duty benefits is not available at this time due to ongoing system programming for the UAFTA.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an administrative message stating that on July 29, 2003, it issued an administrative message regarding the importance of ensuring the integrity of the data related to importing parties, specifically, the data in the importer of record database (SRE file). (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/31/03 news, 03073110, for BP summary of July 2003 adm message 03-1894.)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted to its Web site the December 2004 issue of its U.S. Customs and Border Protection Modernization newsletter which focuses on the transition of the port of Blaine, WA to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an ABI administrative message informing all filers that any data input into the Importer of Record database (SRE file), on or after December 20, 2004, that is identified as being input as a knowingly invalid record will result in a broker penalty under 19 USC 1641(d) for egregious violation. CBP states that additionally, upon discovery of such false records, CBP personnel will immediately void the identified records to impede any future transactions.
The State Department has issued a public notice announcing various upcoming meetings of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) to prepare for the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) Meeting and ITU-T Study Groups 3, 4, and 17 meetings. According to the notice, ITAC will meet with an agenda for preparations for an upcoming ITU-T TSAG meeting on: January 19, February 2, February 16 (teleconference) and March 2, 2005.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a December 14, 2004 version of its Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding the mandatory advance electronic cargo information requirements for truck carriers.
In an article on U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP's) Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS), American Shipper reports that CBP sources state that duties and fees collected from importers and brokers under PMS since July reached more than $100 million, with the amounts paid doubling each month in the program. The article notes that CBP sources state that in early November, CBP estimated participation in PMS to be just over 250 importers and their brokers. CBP's goal is to have about 1,100 participants by spring 2005. (American Shipper, dated December 2004, www.americanshipper.com.)
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it will hold a public meeting on December 14, 2004 in Washington, DC in order to consider its proposed rule (Docket 04-12) on service arrangements for non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs).
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an administrative message to ABI brokers stating that the contact names for requesting a change in Census parameters have changed.
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that on November 30, 2004, Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, sent his letter of resignation to President Bush. The article states that Ridge expressed his desire to continue to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security until February 1, 2005 or until the Senate confirms his successor. (JoC Online dated 11/30/04, www.joc.com.)