CBP Renews ACE Export Manifest Test for Rail, Ocean and Air Cargo
June 5, 2024 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced test renewals for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Export Manifest affected rail, ocean and air cargo.
This week, CBP announced the two-year renewal of the ACE Export Manifest for Air Cargo. Renewal of the Vessel Cargo Test was announced last Friday, and renewal of the Rail Cargo Test was announced on May 13, 2024.
“So much of what we do today still touches paper processes,” says AAEI Board Member David Corn, “Electronic Export Manifest (EEM) will allow for automation for these transportation data elements. There should be many benefits to the release of EEM, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time!”
Dave, who is also the co-chair of AAEI’s Drawback Committee, will moderate a panel on drawback at the AAEI’s annual conference in Fort Lauderdale next week. Interested? See AAEI’s event information.
CBP Suspends Customs Brokers from Type 86 Program
June 5, 2024 – Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Troy Miller released a statement last week saying that CBP “suspended multiple customs brokers from participating in the Entry Type 86 Test after determining that their entries posed an unacceptable compliance risk.”
The news release does not specify when the suspensions began or how long they will last. Seko, a customs brokerage company based in Illinois, was suspended from the Type 86 program last week. Seko asked the Court of International Trade to force CBP to reinstate it through an injunction. CBP did not respond to Seko’s proposed remedial action plan. Read the complaint here.
CBP’s Office of Trade is hosting a webinar on the same topic on June 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. EDT to provide an overview of basic filing requirements and data quality for imports of de minimis shipments. Register at CBP’s website.
CBP to Distribute AD and CVD Duty Offset for FY 2024
June 5, 2024 – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced its notice of intent to distribute assessed antidumping and countervailing duties last week for Fiscal Year 2024 in connection with countervailing duty orders, antidumping duty orders, and findings under the Antidumping Act of 1921. It includes instructions for affected domestic producers or anyone eligible to receive a distribution, to file certifications to claim a distribution in relation to the listed orders and findings, and to provide CBP with the necessary information to effect payment of a distribution by electronic funds transfer.
The agency says that domestic producers or eligible claimants must submit certifications electronically via https://www.pay.gov or by mail by July 30, 2024, to claim distributions. For more details, read the notice.
The Senate Finance Committee Holds Hearing GSP Renewal
June 5, 2024 – The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing today on trade preference programs, including the Generalize System of Preferences (GSP) which was recommended for renewal by the House Ways and Means Committee in May. The GSP lapsed in 2020.
In his opening statement, Senate Finance Chair Sen. Ron Wyden said, “[U.S.] Companies are either paying more in tariffs and investing less into their own businesses, or they’re making the tough choice to shift supply chains back into China. If the United States is serious about moving away from Chinese manufactured goods and creating good-paying red, white, and blue jobs, renewing GSP is a good place to start.”
Witnesses included Melissa Nelson of SunMar Corporation and Florizelle Liser of the Corporate Council on Africa.
View a recording of the Senate Finance Committee hearing on renewing and revitalizing trade preference programs.
Bipartisan Leaders Question MSCI's Audit on Volkswagen Factory in China
Leaders of the House Select Committee on the CCP along with other bipartisan lawmakers wrote MSCI’s President last week to express their concerns after MSCI removed its forced labor “red flag” for Volkswagen’s factory in China.
The bipartisan group, including Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi, criticized MSCI for relying on a flawed audit to lift the rating. The lawmakers request MSCI for answers to a list of questions about their “red flag” ratings and the audit methodology. Read the letter.
AAEI Signs MOU with Saudi EXIM Bank
June 5, 2024 – AAEI signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today with Saudi EXIM Bank, following the lead set by an MOU signing between Saudi EXIM and the U.S. Export-Import Bank (ExIm Bank). It’s the latest action in AAEI’s ongoing work to expand overseas partnerships.
Both organizations plan to collaborate and promote trade between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Both entities will organize trade missions, business delegations, and networking events to facilitate face-to-face interactions among members and Saudi EXIM clients.
Both organizations plan to collaborate on advocating policies that promote free and fair trade between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, “while addressing challenges and barriers that hinder smooth trade relations.” Both entities will organize trade missions, business delegations, and networking events to facilitate face-to-face interactions among members and Saudi EXIM Bank clients.
APHIS Requests Comments on Phase 7 of Lacey Act Enforcement
June 5, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced last week that it plans to begin its seventh phase of enforcement of Lacey Act import declaration requirements on December 1, 2024. The notice includes a list of tariff provisions included under phase seven. APHIS invites public comments on the products covered and whether any additional Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) chapters should be included in the phase-in schedule. Read more in the notice.
AAEI’s Border Interagency Committee focuses on Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) including APHIS. AAEI committee meetings are for members only. Not a member yet? Find out how to join.
