C-TPAT Validation Scorecard
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a presentation on the newly created C-TPAT Validation Scorecard. The scorecard will be used to track improvements in an effort to provide the trade community with better feedback on a C-TPAT members' performances during a C-TPAT Validation. As a new tool, it requires some changes in the C-TPAT Portal and the information that C-TPAT members will be required to update annually. A complete description of those changes is also contained in the document released by CBP.
C-TPAT Validation Scorecard Presentation
USDA to Close Many Offices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices. The USDA says some of the affected offices are no longer staffed or have a very small staff of one or two people. No services will be eliminated. By consolidatings its offices, the department will save about $150 million annually in tax dollars. The announcement stems from the Obama Administration's Campaign to Cut Waste.
For a list of which offices will be closed, click on the link of the appropriate agency:
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS)
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS)
Food Safety
Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP)
Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE)
Research, Education and Economics (REE)
Rural Development
CIT Issues Favorable Decision
AAEI member Pisani & Roll, LLP has secured a favorable decision from the U.S. Court of International Trade concerning the classification of “sets”. Although this decision deals with cosmetic sets sold by Estee Lauder, the tariff classification applicable to sets of all kinds (desk sets, school supply sets, etc.) has been a thorn in the side of importers for years since CBP has traditionally classified such sets based on the travel case under heading 4202 for “[t]runks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, . . .” dutiable at 20% ad valorem. In the Estee Lauder case, classification of the items as a set was based on the essential character provided by the cosmetics classified under heading 3304 for “[b]eauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin . . .” which are duty-free. As a result, the duty savings are significant and we recommend importers read this important CIT decision.
Slip On 12-1 Estee Lauder v US
CISTEC Delegation Visits AAEI
Japanese exporters meet with policymakers in Washington on November 8, 2011 during their biennial trip the United States. The group is especially interested in discussing export control reform.
State of the Association
AAEI issues its State of the Association for 2011-2012. The letter from AAEI President & CEO Marianne Rowden highlights the wins for trade in 2011, from free trade agreements (FTAs) to regulatory victories, as well as the Association's goals for 2012.
AAEI State of the Association for 2011-2012