Monthly Archives: March 2016

U. S. Customs Centers of Excellence and Expertise

CEE Map from CBP.gov website According to U. S. Customs, “the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (“CEE or Centers”) were established to increase uniformity of practices across ports of entry, facilitate the timely resolution of trade compliance issues nationwide, and further strengthen critical Customs knowledge on key industry practices”. The following ten centers have been established… Read more »

Importation Of Certain Hoverboards Prohibited

The United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”) has completed its investigation number 337-TA-935 and has issued a General Exclusion Order, a Limited Exclusion Order, and a Cease and Desist Order dated March 10, 2016 (here) regarding the unlawful importation of certain infringing personal transporters, commonly known as Hoverboards which are self-balancing electric scooters and quite… Read more »

Brazil Begins Enforcement of its Wood Packing Declaration Requirements

We have been advised that Brazil has revised its wood packaging declaration requirements recently.  The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) had issued Instruction No. 32 on September 23, 2015, which was based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Number 15 (ISMP 15).  Beginning February 1, 2016 the following details regarding the products, packaging and… Read more »

Merchandise Processing Fee Undergoing Review Due to TPP Requirements

The House Committee on Ways and Means and U.S. Customs have already began reviewing alternatives to revamp the collection of the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) in order to comply with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  TPP rules prevent the MPF from being assessed on an ad-valorem basis.  Currently, the MPF rate is 0.3464% with a minimum… Read more »