July « 2010 « CustomsNow Blog

July, 2010

CBP updates the “10+2” ISF FAQs

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

An updated version of Custom’s ISF FAQs, dated July 9th, 2010 was recently posted to the CBP.gov website. Click here to view.

Note that some of the newest changes to the ISF programming will not be available until mid August at a minimum as they have not been published in the CATAIR or CAMIR implementation guides. The new functionality that will not be immediately available includes:

• ISF Submission Type Changes

• Late ISF Filing (No Bonds)

• ISF Type 11 coded transaction (Informal Shipments)

Remember that all questions and comments about the new FAQs may be sent to the Security_Filing_General@cbp.dhs.gov mailbox.

Posted in Customs & Border Protection, ISF | Add Comment »

Import traffic increases at LA and Long Beach ports

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Today’s Los Angeles Times reports that imports climbed in June at the ports of both Los Angeles and Long Beach, which together comprise the nation’s busiest seaport complex. At the Port of Los Angeles, imports rose to 371,889 containers, an increase of 32% from June 2009, while at the Port of Long Beach, the number of inbound containers jumped by 27% to 262,053 containers.

While these numbers may show signs of improved economic conditions, some are not so sure. Nancy D. Sidhu, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, believes that the June’s increases are attributable to retailers replenishing their long-depleted inventories, and that any continued growth will depend on sustained consumer demand.

The two ports account for 40% of the United States’ imported containers.

The full article is available here.

Posted in General, News | Add Comment »

Harmonized Tariff Update – Effective July 1, 2010

Friday, July 9th, 2010

US Customs has made available the Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1003, which was created on July 6, 2010. The modified records are currently available to all Automated Broker Interface (ABI) participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR). For ABI users that utilize a SaaS, or hosted ABI solution, this update should have already been implemented automatically.

The update contains the following:

303 ABI records and 66 harmonized tariff records
Adjustments made as a result of the 484(f) Committee for Statistical Annotation of Tariff Schedules
Modifications made due to Presidential Proclamation 8539, To Modify Duty-Free Treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences
Adjustments required by the verification of the 2010 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)

These changes became effective on July 1, 2010.

To learn more about the update, click here.

Posted in ABI (Automated Brokerage Interface), Customs & Border Protection, News | Add Comment »

CBP updates Periodic Monthly Statement guide; importers reap benefits of program

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Attention Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) users: US Customs (CBP) has recently updated its Periodic Monthly Statement Guide. As many ACE users know, Periodic Monthly Statements streamline the payment and collection of duties and fees by allowing importers (and their brokers) to consolidate them into one monthly payment, rather than a daily- or per-entry billing.

Benefits of enrolling in the Period Monthly Statements process include:

Consolidating individual entry summaries for goods that are either entered or released during a given month and allowing them to be paid as late as the 15^thworking day of the following month
Providing additional flexibility in the management of the working capital required for duty payments as well as potentially significant cash flow advantages
Allowing importers who are Automated Broker Interface (ABI) direct filers to pay designated entry summaries for a given month on one statement

The updated guide provides detailed instructions about the Periodic Monthly Statement process, including numerous ACE screen shots, and also sets forth the application process to participate in the program – for both importers who are, or are not yet, ACE Portal Accounts.

To learn more about the program, including exclusions and requirements, click here.

Posted in ABI (Automated Brokerage Interface), ACE (Automated Commercial Environment), Customs & Border Protection, Direct Filing | Add Comment »

CBP guidance: Do not use unknown Manufacturer Identification Number on ISFs

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

US Customs (CBP) has just issued guidance regarding the use of the unknown Manufacturer Identification Number (MID) data to report a manufacturer (or supplier). The use of the unknown MID is only allowed to be reported for ACE entry summary filings. Pursuant to the applicable regulation, 19 CFR 149.3(a)(5), the importer must report the identity of the actual manufacturer (or supplier) at the line item level for Importer Security Filing (ISF).

Posted in ABI (Automated Brokerage Interface), ACE (Automated Commercial Environment), Customs & Border Protection, ISF | Add Comment »