Steel Guru

The US International Trade Commission made adequacy determinations for its 5 year sunset reviews concerning the countervailing duty order on welded carbon steel pipe and tube from Turkey and the antidumping duty orders on certain pipe and tube from Brazil, India, Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.

The Commission will conduct full reviews to determine whether revocation of the countervailing duty order on welded carbon steel pipe and tube from Turkey, the antidumping duty orders on certain pipe and tube from Brazil, India, Korea, Mexico, Thailand and Turkey, and the antidumping duty orders on circular welded pipe from Taiwan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

The Commission will conduct an expedited review to determine whether revocation of the antidumping duty order on light-wall rectangular pipe from Taiwan would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time.

CBP

St. Louis – For the first time in 10 years, CBP officers at the St. Louis port of entry processed an international cargo flight at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. On Sept. 23, the inaugural China Cargo Airlines flight landed at approximately 4 p.m. and taxied to the Lambert cargo center where an entourage of federal, state and local stakeholders commemorated the significant event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks on the successful cooperative government, industry and aviation partnership.

“Trade is a vital artery to the heart of our nation’s economy and here in St. Louis we are keeping that heartbeat healthy and strong with the facilitation of new international trade opportunities,” said David Murphy, CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “Our CBP offices have the expertise to give guidance to new and important initiatives like this one and to continually work cooperatively with local municipalities, state governments, industry and foreign countries.”

The China Cargo Airlines Boeing 777 originated in Shanghai with shipments of consumer goods. Initially, the regularly scheduled time and day, for subsequent China Cargo Airlines flights to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, will be on Monday at 9 a.m. beginning on Oct. 3. CBP crew member and agriculture inspections will be conducted in Anchorage, Alaska prior to the arrival of the plane in St. Louis.

The CBP multi-layered approach to international trade has a dynamic and comprehensive track record with initiatives designed to promote compliance in the pre-entry, entry, and post-release import environment. On a typical day, CBP processes $5.4 billion in imports and collects an estimated $87 million in duties, fees and taxes. At the end of fiscal year 2010, the value of imported merchandise into this country totaled $1.98 trillion. For additional information on international trade please visit the CBP website. ( CBP Website )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Sympatico.ca

Just before Canadian Parliament dissolved in late March, to clear the way for the Federal Election, it passed Bill S-5, to very little fanfare.

Because Bill S-5 will (eventually) clear the way for Canadians to not only purchase late-model used vehicles from Mexico — something we always could do— but to actually license and register and drive them in our respective provinces — something we could never do.

Here’s the deal… It will take another year or two for the government to work out the regulations and protocols for Mexican used-vehicle importation, and the only vehicles allowed in will be those that can be certified for Canadian safety and environmental standards. This means that some vehicles will continue to be effectively persona non grata in Canada, because if they don’t already meet Canadian safety and environmental standards, it will likely be too costly and difficult to make them so.

But as is the case with American market vehicles, there will no doubt be a lot of vehicles that already meet Canadian safety and environmental standards; the only modifications they need then for Canadian certification are relatively affordable and straightforward ones, such as daytime running lights, metric gauges, and Canadian compliant child seat latching systems.

(At some point, Transport Canada will certainly publish a list of Mexican market vehicles, which fit the above criteria.)

Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) is in the process of re-examining its approach to the applicability of transaction value in the context of post-importation adjustments for “related party” transactions. Specifically, CBP is asking the public to provide comments on the broadening CBP’s interpretation of what constitutes a “formula” for purposes of using transaction value, thereby allowing post-importation adjustments. In order to permit the orderly administration of these upward and downward post-importation adjustments, CBP is considering modifying prior rulings in order to allow the transaction value basis of appraisement in these circumstances, provided that the importers use the reconciliation program for declaring the value of the affected importations.

Thomas Russell — Furniture Today, September 26, 2011

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Commerce has assigned a 7.24% antidumping duty rate for the 2009 shipments of Chinese bedroom producer Zhangjiagang Zheng Yan Decoration Company Ltd., sharply lower than the 41.75% that was previously announced.

The DOC said that a review of the company had been rescinded. As a result, it should have been assigned a final duty of 7.24%, or its original cash deposit rate, officials said.

Based on research provided by trade data specialist Zepol Corp., Butler Woodcrafters of Chase City, Va., was a primary importer of bedroom products from this particular factory in 2009.

The change does not affect the all-China rate, which remains at 216.01%.

Antidumping duties are assigned to each Chinese factory but are paid by importers of record. The duties aim to bring a more level playing field to domestic producers that have been injured by unfairly priced bedroom furniture from China.

Blaine, WA – U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin a construction project at the Pacific Highway crossing in Blaine September 19. The construction will replace the current truck primary processing booth in Lane 1, which is expected to be closed from September 19 to October 17. The other two truck processing lanes will remain fully operational during the construction period. The other two truck processing lanes will remain fully operational during the construction period.

A new “High-Low” primary processing booth is being constructed to allow CBP officers to process both truck traffic and (lower-height) vehicle traffic from the same structure. This will provide CBP with greater flexibility in expediting the processing of vehicle traffic at the Pacific Highway crossing.

During this time, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in southbound cargo wait times at Blaine. As a benefit for Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, Free And Secure Trade (C-TPAT FAST) participants, C-TPAT FAST shipments may use the Lynden Port of Entry between 0800 -1600 daily during the construction period. The Port of Sumas is also available for all cargo shipments 24 hours a day.

For trucking companies, brokers, importer and freight forwarders, it is important to note that the port code transmitted on the e-manifest and the entry must be the same. If the shipper diverts the shipment from Blaine to Lynden or Sumas, CBP can change the port code at the diversion port. However, for all cargo that requires FDA Prior Notice the port code cannot be changed and the shipment must use the port specified in the Prior Notice.

Specific international trade-related questions about the Pacific Highway construction project or CBP importing/manifesting requirements please contact:

Lynn Gardner, Assistant Port Director -Trade Operations (Blaine, WA)
(360) 332-2675
lynn.gardner@dhs.gov

The United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) and the American Import Shippers Association (AISA) invite you to join us at the 23rd Annual Textile and Apparel Importer Trade and Transportation Conference on Tuesday, November 8, in New York City.

We are excited to host a number of Administration officials, industry experts, and special guests to discuss customs, supply-chain logistics, transportation, sourcing, and other key issues affecting the textile and apparel importer community.

The conference will include a full day of presentations as well as an exhibit hall featuring businesses that can help you and your bottom line.

USA-ITA is proud to be a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Apparel Coalition, which recently launched a public position paper and corresponding website on September 8th during the eighth round of negotiations in Chicago. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Apparel Coalition supports the negotiation of a 21st Century TPP agreement that generates new trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of workers, businesses, and families, including buying and selling goods and services, sustaining and growing well-paying jobs, and providing high added value for the U.S. and TPP economies.

Since its formation in 1987 as a not-for-profit, the American Import Shippers Association (AISA) has evolved into one of the world’s largest international Shipping Associations serving U.S. importers of textiles, garments, footwear, and other consumer goods.

United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA

The U.S.-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement (“SLA” or “the Agreement”) entered into force on October 12, 2006 and is currently scheduled to expire on October 12, 2013. The SLA includes a provision for extension of the Agreement for an additional two years.

The United States is considering extending the SLA through October 12, 2015. Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the possible extension of the Agreement.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments should be submitted no later than 30 days after
publication of the notice.

ADDRESS: Comments should be submitted electronically via the Internet at www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2011-0011. If you are unable to provide submissions by www.regulations.gov, please contact Mary Sullivan Smith at (202) 395-9404 to arrange for an alternative method of transmission.

Pembina, N.D.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is enforcing a federal quarantine order that began on July 30, 2011 that restricts the importation of rice into the U.S. from countries with known Khapra beetle infestations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is restricting the importation of rice from countries known to have Khapra beetle due to an increasing number of detections at U.S. ports of entry of infested shipments of rice from these countries. The introduction and establishment of Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) into the U.S. poses a serious threat to stored agricultural products, including spices, grains and packaged foods.

Noncommercial quantities of rice from countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur will be prohibited from entering the U.S. Noncommercial quantities are defined as amounts of rice for personal use and not for resale, including those transported in international passenger baggage, by mail or by courier.

In addition, commercial shipments of rice originating from countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur must be inspected and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the shipment was inspected and found free of Khapra beetle. A phytosanitary certificate or phytosanitary certificate of re-export with the same additional declaration will also be required for commercial shipments of rice originating from countries known to have Khapra beetle that make entry into another country before re-exportation to the U.S.

These restrictions apply to all countries where Khapra beetle is known to occur, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

According to APHIS, previous detections of Khapra beetle have resulted in massive, long term-control and eradication efforts at great cost to the American taxpayer. Established infestations are difficult to control because the beetle can survive without food for long periods of time, requires little moisture, hides in tin

This year, CBP agriculture specialists have made 100 Khapra beetle interceptions at U.S. ports of entry compared to three to six per year in 2005 and 2006, and averaging about 15 per year from 2007 to 2009.

Infestation affects grain quality as well as quantity. Infestation of commodities with Khapra beetle can lead to the following consequences:

• Economic loss of valuable grain or other domestic or export products
• Lowered quality of products due to contamination
• Costs associated with prevention and treatment
• Consumer health risks when exposed to products contaminated with insect parts

In the U.S., infestation can result in the loss of export markets. If the Khapra beetle became established in the United States, other countries would likely place restrictions on imports of U.S. grain, cereal products, or seed.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials have announced that part of the San Ysidro, Calif. port of entry has reopened for vehicle processing.

At midnight Pacific time, CBP officers anticipated being able to use 13 vehicle lanes to process travelers. Depending on traffic volume, CBP would normally operate about this many traffic lanes, or fewer, at this time in the evening. To accommodate the expected traffic, all 13 available lanes were operational starting at midnight. ( Southern California Port to Reopen to Pedestrians Following Construction Accident )

CBP re-opened the bus lane at the port to process buses only. The passenger-only processing area reopened yesterday evening.

SENTRI members will have access to a dedicated SENTRI lane that and they will be redirected to the open lanes when they arrive at the port.

General traffic must use the approaches in Mexico that lead to the western side of the port of entry, or to the left as you approach the border crossing from Mexico. The approaches on the eastern side of the border crossing remain closed.

As of early hours of Sept. 15, CBP does not expect to be cleared to open more vehicle lanes today. Updates will be provided as soon as available and local Southern California media are monitoring the situation.

Vehicle traffic can still cross at either the Otay Mesa passenger and cargo port of entry or the Tecate passenger and cargo port of entry.