On February 29, 2012, the Justice Department announced that Australian David Levick and his company, ICM Components Inc., have been indicted for conspiring to export sensitive military and other technology from the U.S. to Iran, including components with applications in missiles, drones, torpedoes and helicopters.
Wireless Spectrum Auctions
The FCC manages and licenses the electromagnetic spectrum used by wireless, broadcast, satellite and other telecommunications services for government and commercial users. This activity includes organizing specific telecommunications modes to only use specific frequencies and maintaining the licensing systems for each frequency such that communications services and devices using different bands receive as little interference as possible.
What are spectrum auctions?
The FCC will periodically hold auctions of unused or newly available spectrum frequencies, in which potential licensees can bid to acquire the rights to use a specific frequency for a specific purpose. As an example, over the last few years the U.S. government has conducted periodic auctions of different GHz bands to support the growth of 5G services.
Latest spectrum auction news
At the February 21, 2012 COAC meeting, CBP officials said the agency plans to issue an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to gather ideas on its planned re-write of the Customs broker regulations in 19 CFR Part 111. The ANPR will also ensure that all of the broker community has ample opportunity to provide comments and suggestions.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a February 3, 2012 version of its frequently asked questions document on containers considered to be instruments of international traffic (e.g. reusable containers) that are imported into the U.S. with residual chemicals, cargo, goods, etc. The new version extensively revises and reorganizes its information on the upcoming requirement that residue in IIT be manifested, classified, and entered, with detailed specifics on (1) what carriers and importers of record will be responsible for, and (2) the procedures for manifesting and entering IIT with residual cargo, among other changes.
On February 21, 2012, the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) met in Washington D.C. to hear an update from the Broker Workgroup1 on CBP's plans to allow customs brokers to pre-certify Importer Self-Assessment (ISA)2 applicants.
The Department of Homeland Security has released a report on its accomplishments in 2011, in connection with a speech by Secretary Janet Napolitano on the progress DHS has made that year. Among other accomplishments, the report notes that (1) the Container Security Initiative is now active at more than 50 overseas ports, and (2) the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) has grown to more than 10,200 Certified Partners worldwide.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that it will conduct the next Customs Broker License Examination on Monday, April 2, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a frequently asked questions and answers document to provide guidance to licensed Customs brokers on the submission of the Triennial Status Report and fee. The next triennial status report, in addition to a $100 fee, should be filed by February 29, 2012.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that the following Customs broker licenses and all associated permits are cancelled without prejudice:
This is a reminder that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a frequently asked questions and answers document to provide guidance to licensed Customs brokers on the submission of the Triennial Status Report and fee. The next triennial status report, in addition to the $100 fee, should be filed by February 29, 2012.
The Federal Maritime Commission has issued a proposed rule that would increase the amount of bond coverage required in its optional China Bond Rider for Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carriers so that total NVOCC financial responsibility would equal 800,000 Chinese Renminbi (RMB) under current exchange rates. The proposed rule would also provide a method for NVOCCs to demonstrate financial responsibility by aggregating the total coverage of a bond and all of its riders. Comments are due by March 12, 2012.