Lithium Ion Cells and Batteries Banned from Passenger Airplanes

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a notice in the Federal Register dated 04/07/2016 announcing actions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding the prohibition to transport lithium ion cells and batteries on passenger carrying airplanes.  ICAO is a United Nations specialized agency that develops policies and standards with the goal of… Read more »

CBP Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2015

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) published this week its Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2015 which includes Management’s Discussion and Analysis, Performance and Financial information including financial statements.   CBP states that the report provides an overview of the Agency’s financial and performance data to help Congress, the President, and the public assess… Read more »

Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Update – First Mandatory Implementation Date

The first ACE mandatory use date is upon us.  Effective this coming Thursday, March 31, 2016 filers will be required to transmit the following types of entries exclusively via ACE ONLY: Type 01 – Consumption-Formal, Type 03 – Consumption – Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Type 11 – Informal Type 23 – Temporary Importation Bond Type 51 –… Read more »

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 »