Powerhouse Customs Brokerage

http://www.forbes.com//will-west-coast-longshore-labor-ta/

Things commercial carriers (i.e. truckers) should know before transporting cargo from Canada or Mexico into the United States What information should commercial carriers (i.e. truckers) should know before transporting cargo from Canada or Mexico into the United States? As a commercial carrier/trucker entering the U.S. with cargo, you are responsible for ensuring the goods you are transporting get to the recipient intact. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) holds you responsib...Continue reading

With the end of the furloughs, we just wanted to confirm that all Client Reps are back to work, and all Government websites are accessible again. We also wanted to pass along a message issued yesterday regarding the use of temporary Steel Licenses: Effective October 17, 2013, the U.S. government has reopened, and the steel licensing system is again operational. ... we recognize the difficulties presented by the uncertainties of the shutdown and apologize for any confusion. Please contact us should you have any questions or concerns.

Update for Government Shutdown Many, but not all Government websites have been shut down, including the online HTS, the Foreign Trade Regulations, and the Steel Licensing website. However, ePermits (USAD/APHIS) is still operational, and the permit processing and approval process is on a normal schedule.... STEEL LICENSE If you have already obtained a license for your incoming shipment, you must use that license number for your customs paperwork. If you have not yet obtained a steel import license, please use the temporary license number PORT PROCESSES We have received information from one port describing their staffing, and services still running normally (below). This is not to say that all ports are running the same staffing, but only to offer you an example. You should contact your local port for information on how/what theyre staffing. CBP Officers, Agriculture Specialists, Entry Specialist, Import Specialists, Drawback Specialists, Liquidators, Paralegal Specialists and Seized Property Specialists are exempt employees and are working during the shutdown. The CBP Technicians and Program Managers are non-exempt employees and they are not working during the shutdown.

http://www.theguardian.com//us-government-shutdown-service

Be advised that all ACS Client Representative Offices have been closed as a result of the shutdown. We've also noticed that some Government websites have been shutdown, such as the online HTS, due to the work stoppage. We've not been advised of it's effect on Other Government Agencies, but will pass along any new news on this topic.... Please advise your staff of these events.

Due to the lapse of appropriations. The online steel licensing system has been temporarily suspended and the computer system closed. However, you will need a license number to complete customs entry summary processes. For more info regarding your steel shipments please contacts us @ [email protected]

http://www.cbp.gov///news_releases/national/08272013_3.xml

August 14, 2013 Expiration of GSP ATPA and ATPDEA; clarification of AGOA; and impact on MPF The Generalized system of preferences (GSP) Program; the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA); and he associated Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) which allow for duty free treatment of certain goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse expired after midnight, July 31,2013 as Congress failed to renew it before the expiration date. Special Procedures for GSP- Eligib...le Goods: Importers should pay normal trade relations (column 1) duty rate but continue to flag GSP- eligible importations with the applicable Special Program Indicator (SPI) A or A+ until further notice. If the program is renewed with retroactive clause, use of the SPI will allow CBP to flag GSP- eligible line items for the processing of automatic duty refunds. There are currently no corresponding procedures available for the ATPA (SPI J) or ATPDEA (SPI J+) programs which will allow CBP to process automatic duty refunds if these programs are renewed with retroactive clause. Clarification of African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Eligible Goods: By virtue of the AGOA acceleration Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-274, July 13th, 2004) AGOA preference has been extended through September 30th, 2015. Accordingly goods eligible for AGOA preference may continue to receive said preference or tariff items displaying SPI A, A+ or D in the special column of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). - To receive AGOA preference on a good with SPI D in the Special column of the HTSUS, the importer will continue to file the entry summary with SPI D and without duty. - To receive AGOA preference on a tariff item with SPI A or A+ in the Special column of the HTSUS (and thus no D), the importer will file the entry summary with the SPI A but without duty. Impact on Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): The expiration of GSP, ATPA or ATPDEA has no impact on the payment or non-payment of Merchandise Processing Fee MPF). Importers should continue to refer to 19 C.F.R 24.23 and appropriate General Headnotes of the HTSUS for guidance on the applicability of MPF. See more

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