On March 19, 2018, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Department of Commerce, published in the Federal Register an interim final rule [Docket No. 180227217–8217–01] that amends the National Security Industrial Base Regulations to add two new supplements.
Just a quick reminder for those of you working at multinational companies which operate on a calendar year basis – do not forget to ask your tax colleagues whether any retroactive transfer pricing adjustments were made at, or before, year end (assuming they do not send this information to you on their own).
On December 14, 2017, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced publication of the revised Wood and Wood Products section of the Miscellaneous and Processed Product Manual (MPPM). This major update does not change APHIS’ import requirements for wood and wood products; it simply makes them easier to find and understand, according to APHIS. Specific changes include:
On October 19, 2017, the Commerce Department announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the two agencies to work together to facilitate international e-commerce and strengthen enforcement of U.S. customs laws. The announcement said the fast-changing e-commerce trade environment requires collaboration on policies and programs to help U.S. businesses compete in international markets.
CSMS# 17-000531 (September 1, 2017) provide information on the processing of merchandise imported for relief efforts of Hurricane Harvey, both for gifts accepted by FEMA via the international assistance system (IAS) concept of operation (CONOPS), and those being imported by U.S. charities (or other private entities) to assist with disaster relief.
On August 2, 2017, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice providing country-by-country allocations of additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 in-quota quantity of the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for imported raw cane sugar as announced by Secretary of Agriculture.
International Trade and Commercial
North America
You can still influence the upcoming NAFTA negotiations – but hurry!
President Trump announced the United States’ intention to engage in negotiations related to NAFTA on February 2, 2017. Since then, USTR has begun consultations with committees of jurisdiction in Congress and advisory committees, as outlined by The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA).
As you know, on Friday, January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) suspending entry into the United States of aliens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The suspension will be in place for 90 days and applies to both immigrants and nonimmigrants.
On April 24, 2013, the Census Bureau posted on its Global reach website an article entitled, How to report Discounts in the Automated Export System. The article points out that the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) §30.6(a)(17) define value as the net selling price plus the inland or domestic freight cost, insurance and any other charges incurred to get the shipment to the U.S. port of export. The value should reflect the net selling price the…
On April 18, 2013, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that as part of efforts to further streamline its license processing procedures, OFAC is now accepting requests for licenses, license amendments, and interpretive guidance electronically. As of April 18, applicants may go to the OFAC License Application Page and click the link to apply (1) to export agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to Sudan or Iran pursuant to the Trade Sanctions Reform and…