Additional Section 301 Tariffs Proposed
A third list of approximately 6,031 HTSUS tariff items, with a trade value of approximately $200 billion, has been identified by the Trump administration to be the focus of a proposed additional ten percent duty when imported from China. The implementation date for the increase has not been publicized. However, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking public written comment by August 17, 2018 and a public hearing will be held in [...]
Read MoreI am interested in importing or sourcing a new product from overseas. What should I do?
To make the most informed decision possible, there are several things to do before you decide to purchase anything overseas. Some may have a dramatic impact on your costs and a direct impact on your bottom line. Whether you are just considering importing for the first time or you are an experienced importer considering a new product, you should consult with an experienced Customs broker (CHB). For first time importers: the import process is no [...]
Read MoreSection 301 Tariffs on Products Imported from China Effective July 6, 2018
Effective July 6, 2018 over 800 products imported from China will have the additional 25% tariff. As previously reported, these tariffs are being imposed on certain Chinese goods after a Section 301 investigation concluded that China’s policies towards American companies was discriminatory. Initially, the proposed list consisted of approximately 1300 products but has since been separated into two. The first list of 818 products will be affe [...]
Read MoreCBP Request for Information and Notice of Action
What do I do if CBP sends me a Request for Information or a Notice of Action? The short and best answer is to notify your Customs broker immediately. As importer of record, you must use “reasonable care” when entering goods into the United States. This means you make a good faith effort to ensure all information you provide to CBP and other government agencies is accurate and complete. If CBP believes this is not the case, they may request m [...]
Read MoreGSP Goods Subject to Section 232 (Aluminum and Steel)
In March 2018 the President signed the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018,” extending the GSP retroactive to the lapse period during January 1, 2018 through April 21, 2018. CBP has provided guidance as to how the process will work on GSP Goods Subject to Section 232 entered during the lapse period. This message is to further clarify the following: As of March 23, 2018, goods normally eligible for GSP – and are now subject to the [...]
Read MoreGSP Renewed
On Friday, March 23, 2018, the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes provisions for extending GSP (Generalized System of Preference) retroactively from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020. The Act does not become effective until April 22, 2018. Importers will need to continue to pay normal trade relations (Column 1) duty rates and flag GSP-eligible importations with the Special Program Indicator [...]
Read MoreUSTR Releases Proposed Tariffs List on Chinese Products
In March 2018, President Trump announced that the U.S. will impose tariffs on certain Chinese imports in response to China's policy of coercion towards American companies to transfer their technology and intellectual property to domestic Chinese companies. The U.S. Trade Representative just issued a press release announcing the proposed list of products – approximately 1300 – that will go for further review, public comment and hearing proc [...]
Read MoreOcean Carriers Announce Door Delivery Surcharge
Citing very challenging circumstances within the US trucking industry and difficulty locating draymen, two steamship lines, Hyundai and CMA/CGM, have announced they will be implementing a door delivery surcharge for all shipments in which they are responsible for container door deliveries. This surcharge of $300 per container, effective March 16, 2018 (CMA/CGM) and April 6, 2018 (Hyundai), is intended to offset the ocean carriers’ costs incurre [...]
Read MoreForced Labor, Informed Compliance and Enforcement
“Have you taken reliable measures to ensure imported goods are not produced wholly or in part with convict labor, forced labor, and/or indentured labor (including forced or indentured child labor)?” This is the basic question CBP asks in their revised version of the Informed Compliance Publication (ICP) – “Reasonable Care” – a revision brought about by the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (TFTEA). This Act was s [...]
Read MoreTransportation Costs Rising
Transportation costs are rising - faster than we’ve seen it in years. Over the past several months, we’ve seen a steady increase in international trade. The global economy is growing. While the demand for goods is increasing, so are the transportation costs for getting those goods to market. Space availability, supply and demand, new regulations and fuel costs all play key roles. Electronic Logging Devices One of the newest regulations i [...]
Read More