Category Archives: Customs & Trade Updates

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Withdrawal of a Proposed Rule that would have Revised The Regulations regarding the Importation, Interstate Movement, And Environmental Release Of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms;

CBP’s Notice of a Comment Request, latest Bulletins with various Decisions such as Removing the Prohibition on the Importation of Jadeite or Rubies or Jewelry containing Jadeite or Rubies Mined or Extracted From Burma and Notices of COBRA Fees Adjustments & Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Rules regarding the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and Removal of Cote d’Ivoire Sanctions Regulations and Notices of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC Monthly announcement advising of Requested Administrative Reviews with recent anniversary dates in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain Hardwood Plywood Products from the People’s Republic of China and Certain Tool Chests and Cabinets from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and from the People’s Republic of China, as well as upcoming Meetings;

USTR’s Notices advising of the posting of the Import Statistics Relating to Competitive Need Limitations under the Generalized System of Preferences and the Deadline for Filing Petitions and of Additional Information About Participating in the Process Concerning the Administration’s Action Following a Determination of Import Injury with Regard to Certain Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, a Vinyl Shampoo Cape, a Plastic Clutch Purse and Plastic Sandals; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Withdrawal of a Proposed Rule that would have revised the regulations regarding the Importation, Interstate Movement, and Environmental Release of Certain Genetically Engineered Organisms;

CBP’s Notices advising that effective December 9, 2017, ACE will be the sole CBP-authorized EDI system for generating, transmitting, and updating daily and monthly statements and of Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Rules regarding the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and Removal of Cote d’Ivoire Sanctions Regulations;

FTZ Board current notice;

ITA and ITC Monthly announcement advising of Requested Administrative Reviews with recent anniversary dates in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from India and from China and Certain Lined Paper Products from India and the People’s Republic of China, as well as upcoming Meetings;

PRESIDENTIAL Administrative Orders;

USTR’s Notice of the Requests for Nominations: Binational Panels Roster Under the North American Free Trade Agreement;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, Jewelry, Plastic Sandals and Sunglasses with Polymer Nosepiece; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Notices of Comment Requests concerning the Importation of Fresh Bananas from the Philippines into Hawaii and U.S. Territories and of Litchi and Longan Fruit from Vietnam into the Continental United States;

CBP’s Rule addressing the Procedures to Adjust Customs COBRA User Fees to Reflect Inflation and Notices of: the COBRA Fees to be Adjusted for Inflation in Fiscal Year 2018, Post-Summary Corrections & Periodic Monthly Statements under the National Customs Automation Program Tests & a Meeting Notice regarding the 2017 East Coast Trade Symposium, the current Bulletin, providing notices of Final and Proposed Ruling Modifications and Revocations, the Grant of “Lever-Rule” Protection, Quarterly IRS Interest Rates Used in Calculating Interest on Overdue Accounts and Refunds on Customs Duties, Accreditation and Approval of a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory and Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Rule concerning Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and Notice of the Unblocking and Blocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC Monthly announcements advising of the Initiation of Five-Year Sunset Reviews and Opportunity to Request an Administrative Review in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Carton-Closing Staples from the People’s Republic of China and Certain Batteries and Electrochemical Devices Containing Composite Separators, Components Thereof, and Products Containing Same;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain Decorative Storage Boxes, Sandals with Polymer Straps and Curtain Liners; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CPSC’s Rule regarding the Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates and Proposed Rule about the Acceptance of Third Party Laboratories, revising the Notice of Requirements for Prohibitions of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates;

CBP’s Notices of the Revocation of Customs Brokers’ Licenses and of an upcoming Meeting of the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the current Bulletin, providing notices of Copyright, Trademark, And Trade Name Recordations and Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notice of the Unblocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Fine Denier Polyester Staple Fiber from the People’s Republic of China, India, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan and

Lined Paper School Supplies from China and India;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, certain Headphones, Cutting Mats and various food products; and,

Canada’s latest Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Announcement of the end of the blanket declaration pilot program as of April 18, 2018 guidance on how participants in the program may continue to file declarations as required by the Lacey Act;

CPSC’s Notice of an upcoming Meeting To Consider its Fiscal Year 2018 Operating Plan;

CBP’s Notices of its Quarterly IRS Interest Rates Used in Calculating Interest on Overdue Accounts and Refunds on Customs Duties, the Accreditation and Approval of a Commercial Gauger and Laboratory and Comment Requests, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notice of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, Advance Notification of Sunset Reviews, quarterly notice of Scope Rulings, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Narrow Woven Ribbons With Woven Selvedge From Taiwan and Certain Uncoated Groundwood Paper From Canada;

Presidential Administrative and Executive Orders;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, a Smiley Face Tote, Cosmetic Bag, inlay kits and pencil compasses; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

APHIS’ Notices of Comment Requests regarding certain Importations into the Continental United States, such as of Fresh Blueberry Fruit from Morocco and Mangoes From Jamaica;

CPSC’s Proposed Rule for Children’s Products, Children’s Toys, And Child Care Articles and Notice of an upcoming Meeting to consider a Final Rule regarding the Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking addressing Revision to the Notice of Requirements for Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates;

CBP’s Notices of certain Comment Requests, its current Customs Bulletin providing Decisions addressing Changes to the In-Bond Process and the Extension of Import Restrictions on Archaeological and Ecclesiastical Ethnological Materials from Guatemala and Notices concerning Receipt of Application for ‘‘Lever-Rule’’ Protection and Approvals of Commercial Gaugers, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notices of the Unblocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notice;

ITA and ITC Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Wooden Bedroom Furniture from the People’s Republic of China and Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods from the Republic of Korea;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, Luggage Tags with Vinyl/PVC Straps, Soft Plastic Lures, Shampoo, Shower Gel, Body Wash & Lotion and Vinyl Bedding Storage/Packaging Cases; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

Please note the latest  trade update on Proposition 65 , clear and reasonable warning rules, which come into effect on August 30th, 2018:

Prop 65 Clear and Reasonable Warnings

Please contact Gemini Shippers Group with any questions.

Gemini Shippers Group

The following governmental notices may be of interest to our members and the trade, including links to:

CPSC’s Proposed Rule addressing the Petition Requesting Rulemaking on Magnet Sets and Notice of the upcoming Meeting to consider Revision to the Notice of Requirements for Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates–Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates;

CBP’s Customs Bulletin providing Decision 17-12, Extension of Import Restrictions Imposed on Archaeological and Ethnological Materials From the Republic of Mali & Notices concerning the Delay of Transition of Test Program Regarding Electronic Foreign Trade Zone – Admission Applications From the Automated Commercial System to the Automated Commercial Environment, Accreditation and Approval of Commercial Gaugers and a Laboratory and Copyright, Trademark, and Trade Name Recordations, as well as, the latest ABI messages;

CPSC and FDA Recalls and Consumer Updates;

OFAC’s Notice of the Blocking of Persons and Properties;

FTZ Board current notices;

ITA and ITC monthly announcements of the Initiation of Five-Year Sunset Reviews and the Opportunity To Request Administrative Review, in addition to Notices of the Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders or Reviews, as well as updates on Determinations, Investigations and Complaints on merchandise such as Certain Lined Paper Products from India and Certain New Pneumatic Off-The-Road Tires from the People’s Republic of China;

USTR’s Notices of a Correction to its original Notice of the Environmental Review of the Proposed Renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement;

California’s latest 60 Day Notices on items such as, but not limited to, a Flawless Mug, certain Binder/Notebook Covers and Cases with Vinyl/PVC Components; and,

Canada’s latest Antidumping and Consumer Alert & Recall notices.

Members wishing to learn more about any of these items are encouraged to review details on the Gemini Member Site, or to contact the Gemini team.

The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) issued CSMS 17-000609, reminding the Trade Community that pursuant to U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR § 319.40-3, non-exempt wood packaging material (WPM) imported into the United States must have been treated at approved facilities at places of origin to kill harmful timber pests that may be present.  Moreover, CBP emphasized that as of November 1, 2017, it will issue penalties to responsible parties for each documented wood packaging materials violation, contrary to the previous published threshold of 5 violations.  There will be no yearly reset for calculating repeat violations as each WPM violation may incur a penalty.

A full member update can be found here CSMS re WPM