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Friday, January 29, 2010
President Pledges to Double Exports, Strengthen Trade Relations in Asia
President Obama’s State of the
Union address Jan. 27 included several items of interest to the international trade community. Some were general in nature,
but others signaled specific objectives.
Exports. “We need to export more of our goods,”
Obama said. “Because the more products we make and sell to other countries, the more jobs we support right here in America.
So tonight, we set a new goal: We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million
jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small
businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security.”
At press
time the Department of Commerce, which conceivably would have a lead role in the National Export Initiative, had not made
available any information on what that effort might include.
The administration’s work on reforming export
controls, however, is well underway. Press reports indicate that Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke
and other administration officials met with key lawmakers this week to discuss ways to reform the system so as to strengthen
national security while also aiding U.S. companies’ efforts to sell more goods and services overseas. The administration
is conducting a wide-ranging review of export control policy and observers are optimistic that legislative and/or regulatory
changes could come sooner rather than later. Several industry groups have submitted recommendations for reforms, but as of yet it is unclear what direction the administration might take.
Trade Agreements.
To the surprise of some, the president brought up the issue of trade agreements. Instead of portraying them as a contributor
to the decline in domestic employment, however, as some lawmakers have done, he characterized them as tools to increase jobs,
which he called his administration’s highest priority. “China is not waiting to revamp its economy,” the
president pointed out. “Germany is not waiting. India is not waiting. These nations – they’re not standing
still.” As a result, the U.S. must “seek new markets aggressively, just as our competitors are. If America sits
on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores.”
The president mentioned three trade liberalization efforts in particular: continuing to “shape a Doha trade agreement
that opens global markets,” strengthening “our trade relations in Asia,” and strengthening trade ties with
“key partners like South Korea and Panama and Colombia.” The reference to the long-running World Trade Organization
talks is a standard item in the president’s speeches on combating the global economic downturn, but his previously stated
goal of concluding the negotiations by the end of 2010 was conspicuous by its absence. The mention of improving trade relations
with Asia is likely a reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement the Obama administration pledged to pursue in late 2009. The specific mention of South Korea, Panama and Colombia, all of
which concluded bilateral FTAs with the U.S. under the Bush administration, is particularly intriguing. While the president
did not mention the FTAs themselves or when he plans to push for congressional approval, the fact that they were brought up
at all in a major speech that focused on economic recovery issues is not insignificant.
9:35 am est
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
What is required to ship charity goods to Haiti?
Helpful info from the U.S. Census Bureau ...
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010, a major
earthquake struck southern Haiti. Many U.S. residents and organizations
are generously donating food, water, medicines, and other supplies
to aid in the relief efforts. In order to facilitate the movement
of these goods, we offer the following guidance that applies to any
good not requiring a license, such as food,clothing, and medicines.
There are four Schedule B numbers that can be used when exporting
humanitarian goods. Those numbers are found in Chapter 98 of the Schedule B Manual, under the subheading 9802. Schedule B Description
Unit of measurement 9802.10.0000 Food Products
X no unit required 9802.20.0000 Medicinal and pharmaceutical
X no unit required
products 9802.30.0000 Wearing apparel
(including X no unit required
footwear and headwear) 9802.40.0000
Donated articles, not elsewhere X no unit required
specified
Any shipment valued over $2,500 per Schedule B number or that requires
a license must be filed in the AES. However, if the shipment is valued
less than $2,500 per Schedule B number and does not require a license,
then the low value exemption (NOEEI FTR 30.37 (a)) can be used.
In this case, food, clothing and medicines do not require a license; however medical equipment and tools may require an export license. The Export Information Code to be reported is "CH" for shipments
of good donated for relief or charity. The value to be reported
is the market value. If the value is not known, estimate how
much you would receive if you sold the goods. The value should be
consistent with the goods being exported, to avoid confusion and possible
delays with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port
of export. There are different ways to file your export information.
The most common is to report through the Census Bureau's free
Internet based filing system called AESDirect which can be
accessed at: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/exporttraining/videos
Another option is to file with a forwarder or agent who may be more
familiar with export licensing and regulations. With so many individuals and first time exporters shipping donated goods to Haiti, the exporting process may seem overwhelming. However, we at the Census Bureau are available to help make the process as smooth
as possible. If you need more information, we are available at 800-549-0595. Select Option 1 for help with the AES, Option 2 for Classifications, and
Option 3 for Regulations. You can also send us an e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]. Please continue to support those in Haiti during this time of tragedy. Your
assistance is greatly appreciated.
4:45 pm est
Importer Security Filing
CBP Launches Gradual Enforcement of Importer Security Filing Rule
Although the period of informed compliance for U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s
10+2 importer security filing rule ends Jan. 26, CBP officials have recently indicated that they will pursue a gradual approach
to enforcement.
9:40 am est
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
New CBP Informed Compliance Publication on Rulings
CBP summarizes the information in this publication as follows.
“If you plan on importing into
the United States, you may wish to consider obtaining a binding ruling before the product arrives at the port so that you
will know how CBP will treat the merchandise. Should you disagree with the ruling that you have received, you may appeal that
letter by sending a request for reconsideration to the [Regulations and Rulings] RR Headquarters Office. In addition, if you
have questions about how a port is handling your goods, you may request that the port seek internal advice from the RR Headquarters
Office. Finally, if you disagree with the port’s decision regarding your merchandise you may protest that decision and
request that the RR Headquarters Office review the port’s decision on the protest so long as certain requirements are
met. By following the suggestions above in formulating your requests, you can make the process of obtaining a ruling or other
decision from CBP as problem free as possible.”
4:38 pm est
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Less than 50 days left to become ISF-compliant! ARE YOU READY?The purpose of this communication is to alert
our customers that “full enforcement” of the ISF (Importer Security Filing, aka “10+2”) rules is imminent
and now is the time to be fully compliant with all the requirements. There are less than 50 business days left
until enforcement begins, and penalties of up to $10,000 per shipment kick in! If you have yet to begin ISF
implementation, you are vulnerable. ISF penalties will be assessed for being late, for being inaccurate, or for failing to
withdraw an incorrectly filed ISF (for example, if the shipment is for whatever reason not boarded on the vessel or if a “diversion”
occurs). Are you ready?
Monday, October 26, 2009
CBP Creates Electronic Reading Room to Increase Public Access to Documents
Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection today launched improvements in Web-based technology designed
to increase public access to agency records and documents. The upgraded CBP Freedom of Information Act Electronic
Reading Room will feature records and documents formerly only available through FOIA request. Documents and records responding
to certain FOIA requests are now available at foia.cbp.gov. ( FOIA Reading Room )
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Obama faces new push from Dems on WTO
Ian Swanson today reported President Barack Obama is under increasing pressure from House Democrats to chart a new course
for international trade talks. Trade Unions and public interest groups backed by half the Democratic Caucus want Obama to
renegotiate the agreements that form the World Trade Organization (WTO) and radically shift the agenda from talks launched
by the George W. Bush Administration.
11:41 am edt
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Small & Medium Companies Encouraged to Export
Government Moves to Boost Exports by Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced Oct. 5 the first steps in a
new initiative aimed at increasing exports by small and medium-sized enterprises. The same day, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke
highlighted an expansion of the department’s Corporate Partnership Program, which is also designed to boost SME exports.
USTR has requested that the International Trade Commission investigate how U.S. SMEs export now, the role of SMEs
in generating domestic employment and economic activity, and how increased trading opportunities, including free trade agreements,
might benefit SMEs and their workers. USTR is also convening an agency-wide working group to ensure that its policymaking
and enforcement efforts immediately seek to better serve SMEs. These efforts will focus on identifying and increasing opportunities
for SMEs to export both goods and services.
USTR also anticipates taking further steps as part of this initiative
and plans to announce specifics in the coming months. For example, USTR plans to work in conjunction with agencies tasked
with trade promotion, such as the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration, that have complementary programs
on export expansion for SMEs. USTR will also seek to set priorities for new trade agreements and for the implementation of
existing trade agreements that are more responsive to the needs of SMEs and their workers so that export promotion programs
at other agencies have a better chance to succeed.
Sens. Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, called
USTR’s announcement “a step in the right direction” but asked that USTR also consider their request to create
an assistant USTR position for small business. According to press reports, however, Kirk declined this request, saying he
believes USTR already takes the export needs of SMEs sufficiently into account.
In related news, the Department
of Commerce announced that eight additional firms have joined the 11 already participating in the Corporate Partnership Program,
which promotes exporting through cooperative public-private sector export tools and resources provided through DOC’s
U.S. Commercial Service. These partners can expect to expand their current customer services and international networks, increase
brand recognition, broaden public awareness of their services and deepen information resources, a DOC press release states.
In addition, said Locke, clients of these partner firms, especially those that “have yet to take that first step into
world markets,” will benefit from new export tools to help increase sales and boost their bottom lines.
11:21 am edt
Friday, October 2, 2009
US & EU Trademark & Copyright Webtool
2:23 pm edt
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
10 + 2
Are you filing your Importer Security Filings now during the probationary period. If not,
it is highly recommended importers
establish an ISF process prior to mandatory filings
begin next January.
4:24 pm edt
Monday, September 28, 2009
Chinese Tires
Punitive tariffs added to Chinese Tires
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2009.12.01 |
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2009.09.01
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