CBP and the Treasury Department have carefully reviewed the comments submitted in response to the rules of origin proposal. In particular, the agencies have heard concerns expressed about the impact that an extension of the rules of origin to non-NAFTA countries may have on the trade community. These matters are still under consideration within the agencies as part of the official rule-making process; however, CBP expects to soon be publishing a notice on this matter in the Federal Register. (In July 2008, CBP issued a proposed rule to use uniform tariff shift and other rules for CBP determinations of the country of origin of imported merchandise, etc. CBP subsequently extended the comment period and reopened the comment period on the proposed rule.)

The GAO (General Accountability Office) just came out with a new report calling for increases to the FDA's authority over imported food items in our supply chains.

What You Don't Know CAN Hurt You

Export Control Basics for Brokers, Forwarders and 3PLs

Sandler, Travis & Rosbenberg, P.A. is hosting a webinar that will provide you with an overview of the various agencies in charge of controlling exports from the United States (BIS, OFAC, CBP, etc.). As you are well aware, export enforcement has been stepped up - with increasing penalties for those who don't follow the rules. The webinar will be on June 3, from 1-2 pm. It will be hosted by Peggy Chaplin Louie, who assists clients with both import and export regulation compliance and international shipping issues. Follow this link to register. (The cost is $75, but I think it's well worth it.)

Registration begins tomorrow, October 1, for the annual CBP Trade Symposium, being held December 8-10th, 2009.

Alan Bersin, former US Border Czar, has been nominated by President Obama as Customs & Border Protection (CBP) commissioner. Bersin is currently the special representative for border affairs, working with Mexican leaders and U.S. border-area agencies on challenges such as drugs and immigration.

If you don't already, I highly recommend keeping an eye on the CBP News Releases page. About 90% of their news releases are about drug busts, but every once in a while there's some good wacky Wednesday news.

Over a dozen rare rhinoceros beetles, seized by CBP last year from a post office, have found a new home at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.