Archive for September, 2008

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation concerning possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences.

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2008 Review of Additions and Removals (Investigation No. 332-500), was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

As requested, the ITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries of the addition of eleven HTS subheadings to the list of articles eligible for the GSP and the removal of two HTS subheadings from duty-free status from certain beneficiary developing countries.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern spoke to members of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America at the Westin Hotel in Washington, D.C., yesterday, highlighting CBP’s collaborative work with the NCBFAA to address trade security and facilitation issues.

SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR'') is providing notice that on August 18, 2008, in accordance with the World Trade Organization (“WTO'') Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (“DSU''), the United States, jointly with Japan and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, requested the establishment of a dispute settlement panel regarding the tariff treatment accorded by the European Communities (“EC'') and its member States to set-top boxes with a communication function, flat panel displays, and certain multifunctional digital machines.

New York City, New York — U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab and Ministers of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement; Brunei Darussalam Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister II Lim Jock Seng, Chilean Foreign Affairs Minister Alejandro Foxley, New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff and Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, met today and announced the launch of negotiations for the United States to join the comprehensive Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement.

The Barthco Office is operational from two remote locations while the building is out of power and water.

Washington, DC — The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) today
announced the country-specific in-quota allocations under the tariff-rate quotas on imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar and sugar-containing products for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 (Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2009). Tariff-rate quotas allow countries to export specified quantities of a product to the United States at a relatively low tariff, but subject all imports of the product above a pre-determined threshold to a higher tariff.

The First Sale Declaration Requirement mandates importers to declare to CBP, at the time of entry when the transaction value of goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse was determined on the basis of the price paid by the buyer in a sale occurring earlier than the last sale prior to the introduction of the merchandise into the United States.

WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat on Tuesday by voting to end a controversial pilot program that gives long-haul commercial trucks from Mexico full access to U.S. highways.

The new international services station is operated by the Barthco division of OHL. The new office is a critical part of an overall expansion strategy and will offer a comprehensive range of U.S. Customs brokerage services, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Fish and Wildlife, and Hand-Carry Clearances.

This document provides an additional 30 days for interested parties to submit comments on the proposed rule to amend the Customs and Border Protection (“CBP'’) regulations to establish uniform rules governing CBP determinations of the country of origin of imported merchandise. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on July 25, 2008 (73 FR 43385), and the comment period was scheduled to expire on September 23, 2008.