2005

According to public information notice FY06-0002 from the Customs Port of Boston , effective Oct. 1, 2005 , CBP will no longer request antidumping duty reimbursement certificates upon receipt of final assessment instructions. Brokers and Importers are strongly urged to file reimbursement certificates with entry summaries at the time of submission, including the signature of an officer of the importing company.

"A Memorandum of Understanding Between the Governments of the United States of America and the People's Republic of China Concerning Trade in Textile and Apparel Products" has been signed, covering Chinese textile exports to the US in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Annex I listed the annual levels of Chinese-origin products permitted to be imported by the US for the following categories: 200/301, 222, 229, 332/432/632pt (plus baby socks) [Category 632pt covers HTS numbers 6115209010, 6115936020, 6115939020, 6115991420, and 6115991820.

Phased Implementation

The full text of Canada's new CFIA directive "Entry Requirements for Wood Packaging Produced in All Areas Other Than the Continental United States (D-98-08) (5th Revision)" has been published and can be viewed by clicking on the above link to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website.

Total penalties issued in the amount of $20 million to Ford for gross negligence and negligence.

APHIS has accepted the recommendations of the International Plant Protection Convention for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures.

The need for importers and exporters to establish and maintain a meaningful supply chain security program is becoming an increasingly important element in a company's overall business strategy. In developing an internal supply chain security program we suggest that companies not focus exclusively on their U.S. operations but view their security program in a comprehensive global fashion. Such a global perspective of security is highlighted by the recently published WCO supply chain security standards outlined below.

Speaking to an audience of C-TPAT members on April 21, 2005 in Miami, FL, Commissioner Bonner proposed a plan of benefits to C-TPAT members. Included in his proposal would be a policy of no routine inspections of shipments for C-TPAT members who use container security devices such as the Smart Box, are certified and validated, and who have adopted the best industry practices for securing their supply chain. His remarks can be viewed on the Customs website at:

Implementation Plan Published on Customs Website

New Customs security criteria, effective March 25, 2005 , has been published at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/commercial_enforcement/ctpat/criteria_importers/

On Friday, January 14, 2005, at the 2004 CBP Trade Symposium, Rod MacDonald, Chief Information Officer (Acting), stated that an announcement should soon appear in the Federal Register notifying the trade community that C-TPAT participation will no longer be a prerequisite to participating in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). One of the programs of great interest to importers is the Periodic Monthly Statement prototype which allows importers to make monthly duty payments instead of paying duties on an entry by entry basis on the 10th day from entry release.

We would first like to wish all of our clients, friends and associates a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2005. As we begin another year we realize that we are faced with a period of enormous opportunities and challenges. In no area is this truer than in the area of international trade. International trade has become the lifeblood of many companies as well as our nation. Opportunities abound for companies large and small to find new markets, vendors, and partners across the globe. However, significant challenges mirror all of these opportunities.