Category Archives: Customs & Trade Updates

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS 17-000609, reminding the Trade Community that pursuant to U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR § 319.40-3, non-exempt wood packaging material (WPM) imported into the United States must have been treated at approved facilities at places of origin to kill harmful timber pests that may be present.  Moreover, CBP emphasized that as of November 1, 2017, it will issue penalties to responsible parties for each documented wood packaging materials violation, contrary to the previous published threshold of 5 violations.  There will be no yearly reset for calculating repeat violations as each WPM violation may incur a penalty.

A full member update can be found here CSMS re WPM

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CPSC’s Notices of a Guidance document concerning Hazardous Additive, Non-Polymeric Organohalogen Flame Retardants in Certain Consumer Products and a Comment Request regarding the Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets;

CBP’s Rules regarding Changes to In-Bond Process that take effect November 27, 2017 and Import Restrictions affecting Archaeological and Ecclesiastical Ethnological Materials From Guatemala, Notices of the Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories, its current Customs Bulletin providing Decision 17-10 (Waiver of Passport and Visa Requirements Due to an Unforeseen Emergency) and Notices concerning Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs and of additional Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories, as well as, the latest ABI messages including one that provides instructions & related information for entering GSP eligible goods during a lapse of the GSP program to accommodate duty refunds upon the program’s reinstatement;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notice of the Blocking and Unblocking of Persons and Properties;

 FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain LED Lighting Devices, LED Power Supplies, and Components Thereof and Certain Basketball Backboard Components and Products Containing Same and an upcoming Trade Mission;

USTR’s Notices of the Request for Comments regarding the 2017 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Colombia and the Proposed Renegotiation of North American Free Trade Agreement, as well as a Comment Request concerning an upcoming Meeting to address Implementation of the United States-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Environment Chapter;

PRESIDENTIAL Administrative and Executive Orders;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain Food Products, Armrest Pads, and Soft plastic fishing lures; and,

Canada’s latest Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CITA’s Notice of the Caps on Duty- and Quota-Free Imports regarding Apparel Articles Assembled in Beneficiary Sub-Saharan African Countries from Regional and Third-Country Fabric;

CPSC’s Rules regarding the Protection of Human Subjects and Infant Bouncer Seats Safety Standards and Notice of a Comment Request;

CBP’s Rule regarding Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological Materials from Republic of Mali, Notices of the Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories, its current Customs Bulletin providing Decision 17-11 and Notice of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection User Fee Advisory Committee (UFAC) Charter Renewal, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

FTC’s Rules regarding the Guide Concerning Fuel Economy Advertising for New Automobiles and Wool Products Labeling; Fur Products Labeling; Textile Fiber Products Identification;

OFAC’s Notices of the Blocking and Unblocking of Persons and Properties;

F&W’s UPDATED Bulletin providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Temporary Port Closure Update;

FTZ Board current notice;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Multilayered Wood Flooring from the People’s Republic of China and Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags from Thailand and upcoming Trade Mission;

USTR’s Notice of the names of the members selected to serve on its Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain Flip Flops, Hardware Kits and calipers; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Rules regarding the Importation of Bone-In Ovine Meat from Uruguay and Fresh Persimmon with Calyxes from Japan into the United States and Notice of a Comment Request;

CPSC’s Proposed Rule addressing the Standard for All-Terrain Vehicles and Notice of an upcoming Meeting;

CBP’s Proposed Rule regarding Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, Notice of the Delay of Transition from the ACS to ACE System and Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories, its current Customs Bulletin providing Final Determinations and Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notices of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

 F&W’s Bulletin providing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Temporary Port Closure Update;

 FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC monthly announcements of the Initiation of Administrative Reviews, in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain Cased Pencils from the People’s Republic of China and Products and Multilayered Wood Flooring from People’s Republic of China and upcoming Meetings;

PRESIDENTIAL Administrative Orders;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, a certain Wine Bag, Mugs with Exterior Designs and Tool Bags with Vinyl/PVC Components; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

In addition to CBP’s Guidance to Trade on Cargo Processing During Hurricane Irma, the following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CBP’s Notices of the User Fee Advisory Committee Charter Renewals and update for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, current Customs Bulletin providing Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories and Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

FTZ Board current notice;

ITA and ITC monthly announcements of Advance Notification of Sunset Reviews & the Initiation of Five-Year Sunset Reviews, in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Narrow Woven Ribbons with Woven Selvedge from the People’s Republic of China and Certain Wi-Fi Enabled Electronic Devices and Components Thereof;

USTR’s Notice of a Hearing concerning Russia’s Implementation of WTO Commitments;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, various Food Products, Bathtub Mats and  Soft Plastic Fishing Lures; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Comment Request regarding Plants for Planting Regulations;

CPSC’s Rule regarding the Determinations Regarding Certain Plastics under the Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates, Notice of the Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.  Settlement Agreement / Order;

CBP’s Notices of Accreditation and Approval of Intertek USA, Inc. as a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory, Country of Origin Determinations and Comment Requests, the current Customs Bulletin providing CBP Decision 17-09 concerning the Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to Citizens of the Republic of Colombia, Citizens of the Republic of Singapore and Citizens of Switzerland and Notices regarding the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) the Dates and Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Name Recordations, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

FTZ Board current notices;

OFAC’s Notices of the Blocking and Unblocking of Persons and Properties;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Paper Clips from China, Certain Uncoated Paper from Australia, Brazil, the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, & Portugal and Certain Electronic Devices, Including Mobile Phones, Tablet Computers, and Components Thereof;

Presidential Administrative and Executive Orders;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, various Food Products, a certain Jelly Sandals, Bath Shower Curtain and copper cookware with brass components; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued two notes regarding Hurricane Harvey:

• The first message is on what you should do if your cargo is diverted to another port and
• The second message is on the CBP ports that have been temporarily closed due to the hurricane, including:

• Port Arthur;
• Houston Seaport;
• Houston Airport;
• Galveston; and
• Freeport

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Comment Request regarding the Importation of Fruits and Vegetables;

CPSC’s Semiannual Regulatory Agenda;

CBP’s Notices of Comment Requests and Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers and Laboratories; the current Customs Bulletin providing the Dates and Draft Agenda of The Sixtieth Session of the Harmonized System Committee of the World Customs Organization and Notices of Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

FTC’s Notice of a Comment Request;

FTZ Board current notices;

OFAC’s notice of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Cased Pencils from China, Carton-Closing Staples from the People’s Republic of China and Certain Tool Chests and Cabinets from the People’s Republic of China and Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

Presidential Administrative Order;

USTR’s Notice of Determinations under African Growth and Opportunity Act and a Comment Request;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, various Food Products, a certain Punching Bag and Vinyl/PVC Zipper Pulls, Vinyl/PVC Electrical Tape, Gloves with Vinyl/PVC Components, Bungee Cord Hooks; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CBP’s various Notices concerning the Automated Commercial Environments; the current Customs Bulletin with Decision #17-08 regarding Technical Corrections to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Regulations and Notices of Comment Requests, the upcoming Meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) and fifteen Final and Proposed Ruling Modifications / Revocations, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

FTC’s Comment Request Notice;

FTZ Board current notices;

OFAC’s notices of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

ITA and ITC Notices of Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain Wireless Audio Systems and Components Thereof  and Certain Recombinant Factor IX Products;

Presidential Administrative Order on China’s Laws, Policies, Practices, and Actions Related to Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Technology;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, Charcoal Grills, Small Vinyl Zip Bag, Headphone Carrying Case and various food products; and,

Canada’s latest Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Proposed Rule addressing the Restrictions on Importation of Fresh Pork and Pork Products from Region in Mexico;

CPSC’s Rule with Amendments to the Procedures for Disclosure or Production of Information under Freedom of Information Act; and Proposed Rule regarding Products Containing Organohalogen Flame Retardants;

CBP’s Notice of a Comment Request; the current Customs Bulletin with Notices concerning the Extension of the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Pilot Program, Accreditations and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers & Laboratories and additional Comment Requests, in addition to eight Final and Proposed Ruling Modifications / Revocations, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s notice of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from the People’s Republic of China and India and Steel Wire Garment Hangers from the People’s Republic of China;

USTR’s Notice of the Initiation of the 2017 Annual Generalized System of Preferences Product and Country Practices Review; Deadlines for Filing Petitions [more details in a separate Memo];

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, Plastic Shopping Bags, Vinyl Aprons and various food products; and,

Canada’s latest Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.