Uptick in CBP Penalties for “Late” ISF Filings
Importers are reporting an uptick in penalties from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as a result of late ISF filings. Though CBP penalties for late ISFs filings are not new, the measure for lateness used to encompass several weeks or more. It is now our understanding that CBP is tightening their requirements; we are […]
Continue Reading »Third Round of Section 301 List 1 Product Exclusions Released by USTR
A third round of product exclusions on Section 301 List 1 Chinese goods was released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on April 15, 2019. The announcement highlights an additional 21 specially prepared product descriptions, covering 348 separate exclusion requests, subject to partial exclusion from Section 301 tariffs. The newest batch of […]
Continue Reading »USTR Announces Section 301 Tariffs on EU Goods
On April 8, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a preliminary list of products from the European Union (EU) that may be subject to additional Section 301 tariffs. This measure has been proposed in retaliation for the harm imposed on the US economy by EU aircraft subsidies. A number of […]
Continue Reading »Extended May Day Likely to Disrupt Supply Chains
Chinese officials announced changes to the May Day Holiday weekend in an act to stimulate China’s economy amidst disappointing first quarter data. Observance of the holiday will now take place between May 1-4, 2019. Despite the shift from one to four days, it will not create any additional days off for workers. Instead, workers are […]
Continue Reading »USTR Releases Additional Section 301 List 1 Product Exclusions
On March 20, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released an additional list of partially or fully excluded Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings in regard to Section 301 List 1 tariffs. The 33 newly excluded HTS subheadings supplement the original list of 22 HTS subheadings previously excluded by the USTR on December 21, […]
Continue Reading »Take Note! Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) Compliance Period to Terminate on April 1, 2019
On December 31, 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) added Abalone and Shrimp to the list of SIMP commodities that require additional information when importing. To assist importers with the transition, they permitted a compliance period that would allow Customs entries to be processed without the required elements. That compliance period ends April 1, […]
Continue Reading »President Trump Announces End of GSP for India, Turkey
On Monday, March 4th, 2019, President Trump announced that India and Turkey’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) status would be revoked. The decision threatens the GSP duty-free entry status of nearly $5.6 billion Indian goods. In a letter addressed to Congress, Trump explained that he is “taking this step because, after intensive engagement between the […]
Continue Reading »Importers of Composite Wood Products: Here Are Some Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions!
As previously reported in January’s Shap Talk, the EPA published the Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule on December 12, 2016. Below are some FAQs to ensure you are fully aware of these new requirements: What does this final rule say? Beginning on March 22, 2019, importers, manufacturers, fabricators distributors and retailers […]
Continue Reading »Additional Section 301 List 3 Tariffs Postponed Amidst ‘Strengthening’ U.S. – China Relations
On Sunday, February 24th, President Trump announced the postponement of increased duties on Section 301 List 3 tariffs as a result of positive and successful talks between China and the U.S. in regard to trade relations. Tariffs on Section 301 List 3 items worth over $200 billion were set to escalate from 10% to 25% […]
Continue Reading »Changes to Amazon Costs in 2019
Calling all FBA Sellers! We know you are busy and sometimes important news from Amazon gets lost in the mail…or your dashboard…or on the forums (sometimes carrier pigeons get lost!). In case you missed the news, Shapiro wanted to make sure that our U.S. FBA clients received the latest update from Amazon regarding changes to […]
Continue Reading »Section 301 List 1 Chinese Tariff Exclusions Granted for 21 HTS Subheadings
On December 21st, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) posted a preliminary copy of a report that named 21 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) subheadings that will be granted either complete or partial exclusion from Section 301 List 1 tariffs.
Continue Reading »CBP and the Pending Government Shutdown
We are all bracing to see if the Federal Government will shut down as scheduled on midnight on Saturday, December 22nd. In the event it does, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has measures in place to ensure appropriate work flow and staffing. Here’s what we know: CBP Management and Leadership will be available to […]
Continue Reading »CBP Issues Lower Excise Tax Rate on 14-16% ABV Wines
CBP announced an amendment to current tax rates per the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2017 (CBMA). Importers can now take advantage of the adjustment on shipments containing wines with more than 14%, but less than 16% alcohol by volume (ABV). This amendment reduces the excise tax from $1.57 per gallon, to […]
Continue Reading »Section 301 List 3 Tariffs to Remain at 10% for an Additional 90 Days
Section 301 list 3 tariffs on Chinese imports, which were set to increase from 10% to 25% effective January 1, 2019, will now remain at 10% for an additional 90 days as a result of fruitful talks between Chinese President Xi Jingping and President Trump at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires this past Saturday, […]
Continue Reading »Importers Beware – ISF-5 Enforcements are Coming!
Effective December 17, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin full enforcement of the ISF-5 filing requirement for Foreign Retained on Board (FROB) cargo. This will affect any foreign cargo that calls a U.S. port during transit. As you are aware, Importer Security Filing (“10+2”, “ISF”) rules took effect in 2009. At that […]
Continue Reading »Bureau of Industry and Security Seeks Public Comment on Emerging National Security Technology
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the Department of Commerce issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on criteria for identifying emerging technologies that are essential to U.S. national security. BIS welcomes comments on: How to define emerging technology to assist identification of such technology in the future; Criteria […]
Continue Reading »Section 301 Chinese Import Audits Are Coming!
We have learned that, in the very near future, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin carefully auditing imports of goods subject to Section 301 duties. As a result, importers may see an increase in the number of Requests for Information (CF 28s); these requests will be based on inconsistencies related to reclassification, changed countries […]
Continue Reading »Presidential Proclamation 9813 Removes GSP Privileges for Many Products on November 1, 2018
On October 30, 2018, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation which both changes some product classifications for fruit juices and removes Generalized Systems of Preferences (GSP) privileges for many products. For complete details of the products affected, please click here. These changes will go into effect on Thursday, November 1, 2018. Please reach out to our […]
Continue Reading »Procedures & Requirements for the Craft Beverage Modernization Act & Tax Reform of 2017
Customs and Border Protection released instructions for receiving reduced tax rates per the Craft Beverage Modernization Act and Tax Reform of 2017 (CBMA). For an importer to be eligible to receive a reduced tax rate or a tax credit, importers must substantiate that the foreign producer/assigning entity has designated an allotment of its reduced tax […]
Continue Reading »Implementation of the Craft Beverage Modernization Act
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is around the corner! As previously advised by the Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA), reduced tax rates and/or tax credits are applicable to importations of certain limited quantities of distilled spirits, beer or wine imported from each foreign producer/assigning entity (as described in the CBMA). Further, the allocations […]
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