AAEI on Trade Curriculum

AAEI makes a presentation at CBP's Customs Expertise Capacity Building Conference in Harpers Ferry, WV. Panelists discussed the demands, goals and future of trade curricula in higher education. The conference was held on February 22, 2012. 

Cyber Threat Drill Guide
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues the 2012 Private Sector Participant Guide for the National Level Exercise (NLE). US companies are invited to take part in cyber threat drills to help protect the nation's information technology, communications, water, and mass transit/rail systems.
NLE 2012 Private Sector Participant Guide

C-TPAT Validation Scorecard
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a presentation on the newly created C-TPAT Validation Scorecard. The scorecard will be used to track improvements in an effort to provide the trade community with better feedback on a C-TPAT members' performances during a C-TPAT Validation. As a new tool, it requires some changes in the C-TPAT Portal and the information that C-TPAT members will be required to update annually. A complete description of those changes is also contained in the document released by CBP.
C-TPAT Validation Scorecard Presentation

USDA to Close Many Offices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices. The USDA says some of the affected offices are no longer staffed or have a very small staff of one or two people. No services will be eliminated. By consolidatings its offices, the department will save about $150 million annually in tax dollars. The announcement stems from the Obama Administration's Campaign to Cut Waste.

For a list of which offices will be closed, click on the link of the appropriate agency:
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS)
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS)
Food Safety
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP)
Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE)
Research, Education and Economics (REE)
Rural Development

CIT Issues Favorable Decision
AAEI member Pisani & Roll, LLP has secured a favorable decision from the U.S. Court of International Trade concerning the classification of “sets”.  Although this decision deals with cosmetic sets sold by Estee Lauder, the tariff classification applicable to sets of all kinds (desk sets, school supply sets, etc.) has been a thorn in the side of importers for years since CBP has traditionally classified such sets based on the travel case under heading 4202 for “[t]runks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, . . .” dutiable at 20% ad valorem.  In the Estee Lauder case, classification of the items as a set was based on the essential character provided by the cosmetics classified under heading 3304 for “[b]eauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin . . .” which are duty-free.  As a result, the duty savings are significant and we recommend importers read this important CIT decision.
Slip On 12-1 Estee Lauder v US

AAEI on Trade Curriculum

AAEI makes a presentation at CBP's Customs Expertise Capacity Building Conference in Harpers Ferry, WV. Panelists discussed the demands, goals and future of trade curricula in higher education. The conference was held on February 22, 2012. 

Cyber Threat Drill Guide
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues the 2012 Private Sector Participant Guide for the National Level Exercise (NLE). US companies are invited to take part in cyber threat drills to help protect the nation's information technology, communications, water, and mass transit/rail systems.
NLE 2012 Private Sector Participant Guide

C-TPAT Validation Scorecard
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a presentation on the newly created C-TPAT Validation Scorecard. The scorecard will be used to track improvements in an effort to provide the trade community with better feedback on a C-TPAT members' performances during a C-TPAT Validation. As a new tool, it requires some changes in the C-TPAT Portal and the information that C-TPAT members will be required to update annually. A complete description of those changes is also contained in the document released by CBP.
C-TPAT Validation Scorecard Presentation

USDA to Close Many Offices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices. The USDA says some of the affected offices are no longer staffed or have a very small staff of one or two people. No services will be eliminated. By consolidatings its offices, the department will save about $150 million annually in tax dollars. The announcement stems from the Obama Administration's Campaign to Cut Waste.

For a list of which offices will be closed, click on the link of the appropriate agency:
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS)
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS)
Food Safety
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP)
Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE)
Research, Education and Economics (REE)
Rural Development

CIT Issues Favorable Decision
AAEI member Pisani & Roll, LLP has secured a favorable decision from the U.S. Court of International Trade concerning the classification of “sets”.  Although this decision deals with cosmetic sets sold by Estee Lauder, the tariff classification applicable to sets of all kinds (desk sets, school supply sets, etc.) has been a thorn in the side of importers for years since CBP has traditionally classified such sets based on the travel case under heading 4202 for “[t]runks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, . . .” dutiable at 20% ad valorem.  In the Estee Lauder case, classification of the items as a set was based on the essential character provided by the cosmetics classified under heading 3304 for “[b]eauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin . . .” which are duty-free.  As a result, the duty savings are significant and we recommend importers read this important CIT decision.
Slip On 12-1 Estee Lauder v US

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Compliance
Conducting international trade in conformity with US and international laws and regulations.

 
Facilitation
Advancing the flow of international trade through modernizing and simplifying customs procedures, duty collection, and other trade measures.

Safety
Ensuring the safety of all products imported and exported in the US for the good of consumers and business practices.

Security
Protecting the public from possible danger, harm or threat to the supply chain intended by criminal groups or individuals.
___________________________________

ShareTweet

Compliance
Conducting international trade in conformity with US and international laws and regulations.

 
Facilitation
Advancing the flow of international trade through modernizing and simplifying customs procedures, duty collection, and other trade measures.

Safety
Ensuring the safety of all products imported and exported in the US for the good of consumers and business practices.

Security
Protecting the public from possible danger, harm or threat to the supply chain intended by criminal groups or individuals.
___________________________________

Registration Is Open

Keynote Speakers Announced!

Topics include:

• Demystifying Inter-Beltway Business
• Export Standards and Reform
• Corporate Compliance
• The Life-Cycle of a Trade Policy Initiative
• Trade Preference Programs
• M1/Chemical Residue

See more conference information
See registration information

____________________________________

AAEI is going on the road with a series of trade topic discussions in your region!  
These live events balance import and export issues geared to your market and will include an open discussion of "hot topics".
Only $50 to register, they are open to members and non-members alike.
Convenient ● Relevant ● Informative ● Inexpensive
Get more information 
Or register now!

____________________________________

Event Audio Recording
Audio is available (MP3) of the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 Roundtable event recorded on January 10, 2012. Cost is $50. To order, download the order form and fax or email back to AAEI.

Free - 2010 Benchmarking Highlights
AAEI's Highlights of 2010 AAEI Benchmarking Survey are now available for free download. The 2010 highlights provide a snapshot of the current state of international trade, including the uptick in U.S. export activity. 
Download the 2010 AAEI Benchmarking Highlights.
To order the 2011 Full Results, fill out the order form and email it to us.
______________________________________

Registration Is Open

Keynote Speakers Announced!

Topics include:

• Demystifying Inter-Beltway Business
• Export Standards and Reform
• Corporate Compliance
• The Life-Cycle of a Trade Policy Initiative
• Trade Preference Programs
• M1/Chemical Residue

See more conference information
See registration information

____________________________________

AAEI is going on the road with a series of trade topic discussions in your region!  
These live events balance import and export issues geared to your market and will include an open discussion of "hot topics".
Only $50 to register, they are open to members and non-members alike.
Convenient ● Relevant ● Informative ● Inexpensive
Get more information 
Or register now!

____________________________________

Event Audio Recording
Audio is available (MP3) of the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 Roundtable event recorded on January 10, 2012. Cost is $50. To order, download the order form and fax or email back to AAEI.

Free - 2010 Benchmarking Highlights
AAEI's Highlights of 2010 AAEI Benchmarking Survey are now available for free download. The 2010 highlights provide a snapshot of the current state of international trade, including the uptick in U.S. export activity. 
Download the 2010 AAEI Benchmarking Highlights.
To order the 2011 Full Results, fill out the order form and email it to us.
______________________________________