On Friday August 20, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sent out Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS #49132200 which provided guidance to importers and brokers regarding Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) subheading 9801.00.10 for U.S. and Foreign Goods Returned.
News / Regulatory Updates
Effective October 1, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will proceed in adjusting certain customs user fees pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for Fiscal Year 2022 in Accordance with the Fixing American’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) as implemented by CBP regulations.
On July 26, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on behalf of the Customs and Immigration Union (CIU) announced that the Border Services Officers (FB) have voted to strike starting August 6, 2021. This group includes the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) Officers and is the result of an impasse in negotiations between their union and the Canadian Government. Immediately following the announcement of strike the two sides did agree to restart negotiations.
On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, a 36 page Joint Xinjiang Supply Chain Advisory was published by the Department of State, Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Department of Homeland Security, United States Trade Representatives and the Department of Labor.
On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, the Court of International Trade (CIT) delivered a small “win” for the plaintiff importers in the Section 301 China list 3 and 4A case before the court. In the fifty (50) page two-to-one split decision ruling, CIT granted a preliminary injunction to suspend the liquidation of unliquidated import entries subject to Lists 3 and 4A duties subject to the Section 301 litigation.
Following nearly two years of increased duties/tariffs related to many retaliatory programs, aimed at unfair trade practices, as well as escalating costs via air, ocean rail and truck many importers are seeing an ever-increasing hit to their cash reserves. The volume and timing of cash outlays outpaces their cash inflows from their clients paying on terms. Managing cash flow is often the first area of focus each day for importers.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding all Importers, Exporters, Carriers, and Freight Forwarders that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security requirements take effect for 100% of all international all-cargo flights by June 30, 2021.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project will directly impact, modernize, and streamline the import process of shipments entering Canada by transforming the collection of duties and taxes for commercial goods.
A number of COVID-19 cases had emerged at the port last week, and tightened health and safety measures have been rolled out by local authorities. This advisory includes the latest updates, as well as contingency plans from our carrier partners.
Transpacific Market U.S. Imports from Asia in April increased by 29.3% on a year over year basis to 1.55 million TEU, according to IHS Market. While this does represent a 6.6% month over month decrease in volume, the decline should not be attributed to a softening in demand but rather due to continued capacity disruptions caused by heavy congestion across the entire Transpacific network.