Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 3: Using Looseleaf and Bound HTSUS and Regulations

Let’s face it; the materials necessary to study for the Customs Broker Exam are burdensome. Who wants to carry around a bunch of big heavy books? While it’s possible to use online versions while studying, we don’t recommend that you make a habit of this practice. Why? Because you cannot use the online version of the Regulations or HTSUS on the day of the exam. You will also want to make notes in your materials and highlight key words, phrases and sections. Use the online versions after you’ve passed the exam or when you need a quick answer to a client question and you have the online version readily available.

Now that we’ve determined that printed versions are best, what are the options? There are three primary options, looseleaf, paperback (perfect binding) and coil bound.

Looseleaf

The looseleaf version is bulky; however, it can be easily updated when supplements are issued quarterly for the Regulations and in summer for the HTSUS. The print is larger than other versions, making it easier to read. There is also more room for making legible notes in the margin. If you use the looseleaf version, make sure you purchase a good quality binder so the pages turn easily and do not fall out of the binder.

Looseleaf editions can also be used in a publication rack, which allows them to sit open on a desk. The pages tend to turn more easily with a publication rack, and the disadvantage of bulkiness is essentially negated. This makes publication racks a popular choice for exam day.

Paperback/Perfect Binding

The Regulations produced using perfect binding resemble smaller paperback versions of the loose-leaf version (The paperback HTSUS is the same size as the looseleaf). The cover is made from heavier paper and is glued together at the spine with strong flexible glue. These books are lighter and slightly less expensive than the loose-leaf versions; however, they cannot be updated. If you are going to use the book regularly and make notes in the book, these might not be the best options. However, if you are looking for a book that is easy to carry for quick reference, then the paperback edition would be an excellent choice.

Coil Bound

Coil binding is commonly used for publications that are frequently opened so that the pages lie flat or back-to-back. Generally, binding is accomplished by punching holes along the entire length of the spine of the page and winding a wire through the holes to provide a fully flexible hinge at the spine. Coil bound versions are smaller and lighter weight than their looseleaf counterparts are (they are the same size as the perfect-bound). Coil binding is similar to looseleaf; however, the pages cannot be removed and they cannot be updated.

For persons taking the exam, we suggest that you consider the looseleaf book or a coil bound version. Both books are sturdy, and the primary differences relate to the ability to update the looseleaf version versus the ease of carrying the coil bound version.

Click HERE to view the various binding options for the CBP Regulations.

Trade Compliance News

New Informed Compliance Publication on Rulings
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a new Informed Compliance Publication (ICP) on its rulings program. The ICP provides detailed information on the process of submitting ruling requests along with instructions on how to appeal rulings and request internal advice. Click HERE to view the ICP.


Lacey Act Primer
APHIS recently posted a revised version of the Lacey Act Primer that includes a list of best practices and declaration requirements. Click HERE to view the presentation. Information about the blanket declaration program and other FAQ’s are also posted on the APHIS web site.


ACLU Obtains CBP Border Search Documents
Pursuant to a request under the Freedom of Information Act by the ACLU, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provided documentation about its searches of electronic devices. The documents revealed that the current policy did not require CBP officials to justify the border search over 1,500 electronic devices. In addition to laptops, CBP detained or seized cell phones, digital cameras, flash drives and DVDs.

One the most significant observations is the number of transfers of electronic files to other agencies. The reports showed that electronic data belonging to travelers was transferred to other agencies almost 300 times and CBP made copies of the files in most of the transfers. This information should be a red flag for business travelers who maintain sensitive business information computers, cell phones, etc. CBP may transfer your data to other agencies without your written consent. If you are traveling overseas, you may want to consider removing any confidential information from your electronic equipment.

Click HERE for more detailed information about the documents received by the ACLU.


DHS Issues Report Card on CBP Cargo Targeting & Examination
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General recently issued a report evaluating CBP’s Automated Targeting System (ATS). DHS recommended two areas for improvement. First, CBP should improve documentation for inspections. In 57 out of 391 high-risk examinations, records did not contain enough information to support decisions to inspect or waive inspection of the cargo. DHS also recommended that CBP update the targeting guidelines, which largely rely on 1999 inspection procedures.

Click HERE to view the entire report.

Trade Terms Tuesday

Welcome to Trade Terms Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we will share three trade-related terms. In order to reach out to our diverse readership, we will try to provide one for exports, one for imports, and one for logistics/transportation. This week, we continue with the N’s.

Nominal Consignee
A nominal consignee is a carrier, express consignment operator, freight forwarder or consolidator that has no right, title or interest in the property other than possession of a bill of lading or air waybill. The nominal consignee is not the owner or purchaser, but depending on the terms and conditions of the transportation agreement, may designate a broker to make entry on behalf of the actual owner or purchaser. The nominal consignee cannot be the importer of record on a formal entry.

Non-Privileged Foreign Status
Non-privileged foreign status material (FTZ term) is dutiable at the rate applicable when the merchandise is transferred into U.S. commerce. Waste material from the manipulation or manufacture of privileged foreign status material is considered non-privileged foreign status.

NLR
No License Required (NLR) is the designation given to commodities and related technology that do not require a license to be exported from the United States. Most exports from the United States do not require a license,omit comma and are assigned the designation NLR. NLR designated exports include those items not listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL) or those items that are listed on the CCL, but are being exported to countries for which the federal government does not require a license.

Section XXII of the HTSUS

Thank you for joining us for our series on classification. For the past 6 months, we’ve been studying the various sections of the HTSUS. If you’ve been following this series, you should have a better understanding of the commodities contained in each section and chapter of the HTSUS. We conclude our series with a review of Section XXII, which is only contained in the U.S. version and not used internationally. First, let’s look at the answer to last week’s question.

Answer to Section XXI Question
9706.00.0040
The chair is an antique because it is more 100 years old (1908). If for some reason it is determined that the chair were not an antique, the classification would be 9401.61.40. Note – both classifications result in duty- free treatment.

Section XXII covers Chapters 98 and 99, which consist of special classification provisions and temporary legislation. This section is unique to the United States. The HTSUS numbers in this section cannot be used for export documents. For qualifying products, the special provisions usually provide some alternative to the normal payment of duties. For example, companies importing merchandise pursuant to a contract with the military may be able to obtain duty-free entry on merchandise that would normally be dutiable if the proper documentation is filed under 9808.00.3000. It is not necessary to memorize each provision; however, it is important to be familiar with the various alternatives in order to provide economical solutions to your organization and/or clients.

Chapter 98 covers the importation of specific products under specific conditions. CBP may request additional documentation to prove eligibility for Chapter 98 provisions. Pay special attention to U.S. Note 2, which states that the tariff status of an article is not affected by the fact that it was previously imported and cleared through CBP. Some of the duty-free provisions include the following. Since these provisions are not used as frequently, you might consider making a list of the items included in each sub-chapter.

9801.00 – Articles Exported and Returned - Not Improved, U.S. Goods & Animals Returned
9802.00 - Articles Exported and Returned - Improved
9803 - Substantial Containers
9804 - Personal Exemptions, Residents and Non-Residents
9808 - Government Importation
9810 - Religious, Educational and Scientific Imports
9811 - Samples
9813 - Temporary Importation

Chapter 99 pertains to the importation of specific products that are subject to special or temporary alteration in duty or other customs treatment pursuant to legislative, executive and administrative actions. Chapter 99 only applies to U.S. imports and cannot be used for exports. The other sections of the HTSUS refer the user to Chapter 99 by the use of footnotes used with corresponding HTSUS numbers. Since the sections in Chapter 99 are temporary in nature, it is not necessary to spend large amounts of time learning the intricate details of each section. Just be aware that Chapter 99 provides for temporary changes to tariff treatment, and this could include reductions as well as increases.

This concludes our study of the 22 sections included in the HTSUS. Since we are approaching the April Customs Broker Exam, we will likely devote Mondays to some discussion of classification. Please feel free to post comments, suggestions or questions in the blog or send them to wizard@boskage.com.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 2: Study Aids

In our first study tip, we discussed the importance of obtaining all of the required resources that are necessary to take the exam. This study tip will focus on the various study aids and materials that will help you prepare for the exam.

The percentage of people who pass the Customs Broker Exam the first time is low, ranging from 3% to 25%. While it is possible to pass the Customs Broker Exam using only the required exam materials, most people find using a variety a supplemental materials and exam study courses significantly increases their potential of passing the exam. The use of additional study materials also improves comprehension and makes better use of limited study time.

Some people learn better by actually doing a task, while others need to read the instructions or hear the instructions. Determining your style of learning and how you learn the best is the key to studying for the exam. If you do not have time to go to lectures, you may prefer correspondence or online courses. If you comprehend better by hearing the information, you may prefer audio lectures or classroom instruction. You should seriously consider the time you have to commit to studying and your learning style when selecting study courses and training materials. We have listed just a few options for using supplemental study aids and courses here.

1. Past Exams
Taking the past exams is a good way to become familiar with the format and types of questions that appear on the test. Using past exams as a study aid also helps you learn the materials, boosts confidence, shows your progress, as well as areas that need improvement. Although not a frequent occurrence, almost all of the questions on the October 2009 came from the collection of previous exams.

2. DVD's, CD's & MP3’s

If you want the convenience of learning at your own pace, DVD's CD's and MP3’s allow you to study from the comfort of your home or office and may be reviewed as often as you like. CD's and MP3’s provide audio which is great for listening to during your daily commute or walk around the block. The DVD's usually simulate a classroom environment, but the advantage is that you can view the lectures at your convenience rather than commute to a class.

3. Online Study Courses

For students who want the convenience of studying at their own pace, online courses provide instruction, examples, quizzes and other tools that are usually available 24/7 anywhere you have an Internet connection.

Boskage Commerce Publications offers a variety of courses, study plans and other materials designed to fit different learning styles, experience levels and needs of students. Click HERE to view a variety of materials and courses. Consider your learning style as you review each of these options. We sincerely believe you will find that one or a combination of several can fit your needs perfectly; however, we may be able to customize plans to fit your needs. Be sure to check out the Customs Broker Exam Room Guide, a perfect resource for regular study and use on test day. This coil bound book contains all CATAIR sections, Directives and miscellaneous resources that will be tested on the upcoming exam. The Guide also includes quick-reference fact sheets such as Incoterms, trade program indicators, types of appraisement, acronyms, CBP fees and more.

Stay tuned to the Boskage Trade News for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam! The next article will provide the pros and cons of using the loose-leaf version of the CBP Regulations. We also welcome any suggestions on topics you would like to see discussed.

DOJ Serious About FCPA Violations!

In May last year, we mentioned that the government was ramping up its efforts to find and prosecute violators of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), so we’re back to report that the Department of Justice and FBI have been very busy!

While many government and private sector employees were off work for the Martin Luther King recognition day, the FBI arrested 22 executives and employees of military and law enforcement products companies. In addition, approximately 150 FBI agents executed 14 search warrants in all over the country, including Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky. These persons have been indicted for engaging in a scheme to bribe foreign government officials to obtain and retain business. The scheme was actually part of an undercover operation in which the accused agreed to pay a commission to a sales agent believed to represent a government official in Africa in order to win a portion of a contract to furnish goods to the country’s presidential guard. Would you like to know if anyone you know was involved? Click HERE to view the list of defendants and locations. Copies of the indictments are also available for viewing on the DOJ web site. The maximum prison sentence for the conspiracy county and for each FCPA count is five years. The maximum sentence for money laundering conspiracy is 20 years in prison.

This is another wakeup call for anyone considering bribing a government official. Don’t do it!

The FCPA prohibits corrupt payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. The provisions of the FCPA make it unlawful for a U.S. person to make a corrupt payment to a foreign official for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any person. The provisions also apply to foreign firms and persons who take any act in furtherance of such a corrupt payment while in the United States. The purpose of the FCPA is to eliminate bribery of foreign officials, restore the public confidence in the integrity of American business, and change the way American firms do business.

Trade Terms Tuesday

Welcome to Trade Terms Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we will share three trade-related terms. In order to reach out to our diverse readership, we will try to provide one for exports, one for imports, and one for logistics/transportation. This week, we continue with the M’s.

Manifest
The manifest is a shipping document that provides the description of cargo contained on the ship, plane, truck or other conveyance. It is a document that lists the bills of lading issued by a carrier and provides a detailed summary of the total cargo of a vessel.

Maquiladora
A maquiladora is a Mexican Corporation operating under a maquila program approved by the Mexican Secretariat of Commerce and Industrial Development. A maquiladora provides for special customs treatment, allowing duty free temporary import of machinery, equipment, parts and materials, and administrative equipment such as computers, and communications devices, subject only to posting a bond guaranteeing that such goods will not remain in Mexico permanently. Maquiladoras are used for duty-free assembly of goods for subsequent re-export.

Missile Technology Control Regime
The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) is an informal group of nations that coordinate their national export controls on goods and technology that can contribute to missile proliferation. The United States has been a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) since the regime’s inception in 1987. The MTCR consists of the U.S and 32 other members. Two documents guide members on missile technology controls: the MTCR Guidelines and the MTCR Equipment and Technology Annex. The Guidelines provide licensing policy and procedures; the Annex lists two categories of missile systems and related commodities with 20 sub-category items of missile-related commodities. The MTCR policies and procedures and list of controlled items are included in the EAR.

Section XXI of the HTSUS

Thank you for joining us for our series on classification. Last week, we explored the articles contained in Section XX of the HTSUS. Today, we will continue our study of the various commodities covered in Section XXI of the HTSUS. Having a good general knowledge of the products covered in each section and chapter will expedite the classification process and improve accuracy of your classifications. First, let’s look at the answer to last week’s question.

Answer to Section XX Question
Classify a children’s chair stuffed with polyester fiberfill and made of 100% polyester fabric. The chair is sewn in the shape of a dog and is made for use by a child under the age of 10.
9401.80.6010
N011681

Section XXI covers Chapter 97, which consists of paintings, sculptures, and antiques. In order to claim classification under antiques, documentary proof that the article is more than 100 years old will be necessary. For certain works of art, documentary proof that the work is original, unique and handmade will be necessary. A work of art does not include reproduction by mechanical or photochemical means. CBP defines an original sculpture as the first 12 castings, replicas or reproductions made from the original work or mold. Original works of art and antiques are excepted from the country of origin marking; however, the country of origin must appear on the outside of the crate or packing materials.

Question
What is the classification of an upholstered oak chair, valued at $10,000, found to be manufactured in Germany in 1908?

Section XXII is also the last section of the HTS used internationally; however, next week, we will cover one more section that is used only in the United States. We are approaching the end of our study of the HTSUS. If there are any specific commodities or sections of the HTSUS that you would like to see discussed in this series, please feel free to post a comment or send your suggestions for a new series to wizard@boskage.com.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 1: Required Resources

Welcome to our series of blogs dedicated to providing tips for taking the Customs Broker Exam!

Now that you have made the decision to take the April 2010 Customs Broker Exam, it is important develop a study plan that guarantees your chances of success. Boskage wants to help you achieve your goal of passing the exam; therefore, we are starting a series of articles to support you on your journey to success! Our first topic in this series focuses on exam resources.

The first step in your plan should be acquiring the required texts and study materials. These materials come in two categories, “required” and “study aids”. Required materials are those that students must have because questions on the exam have been selected from these sources. CBP lists the required materials in the Notice of Examination. The required materials are listed below and you should obtain them now if do not already have them. All of the required materials can be purchased from Boskage Commerce Publications.

Required Exam Resources

1. Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2009 version) with Supplements
It is important to use this edition since questions often require the determination of the correct HTS number, duty rate and applicability of Free Trade Agreements, all of which may change slightly from year to year.

2.Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (revised as of April 1, 2009) Parts 0 to140, 141 to 199
Last year, CBP included Parts 200 to End on the Exam; however, it appears that these will not be required for the April 2010 Exam.Part 149 covering ISF was added to Title 19 in 2009, so it is a target for this exam.

3. Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)
· Appendix B - Valid Codes
· Appendix D - Metric Conversion
· Appendix E - Valid Entry Numbers
· Appendix G - Common Errors
· Appendix H - Census Warning Messages
· Appendix L - Drawback Errors
· Glossary of Terms

4. Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (8-30-2005)

5. Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments-Remote Location Filing Eligibility Requirements

6. Directives
· 3510-004, Monetary Guidelines for Setting Bond Amounts
· Amendment to 3510-004 for Certain Merchandise Subject to Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Cases
· 3550-055, Instructions for Deriving Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code
· 3550-067, Entry Summary Acceptance and Rejection Policy
· 3550-079A, Ultimate Consignee at time of Entry or Release
· 3560-001A, Census Interface-Processing Procedures
· 5610-002A, Standard Guidelines for the Input of Names and Addresses Into Automated Commercial System (ACS) Files

Note: The use of any versions of the listed references other than those recommended is at the applicant's own risk.

Seeing this list of resources on paper and as a stack of documents on your desk can seem quite overwhelming. We’ll discuss organization of your materials in an upcoming article. Stay tuned to the Boskage Trade News for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam! The next article will cover the second category of exam resources, the “Exam Study Aids”. We also welcome any suggestions on topics you would like to see discussed. Post comments and suggestions in the commentary or email wizard@boskage.com

STELA Goes Online At BIS!

STELA isn’t a new BIS employee or even a person. STELA is the online version of the System for Tracking Export License Applications. This new tool allows users to check the status of export/re-export license applications and classification requests by entering a BIS assigned application control number (ACN). The user will now be able to retrieve the same status information currently communicated on the phone-based system. The phone system will be phased out soon, so check out STELA at the BIS site today!

Trade Terms Tuesday

Welcome to Trade Terms Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we will share three trade-related terms. In order to reach out to our diverse readership, we will try to provide one for exports, one for imports, and one for logistics/transportation. This week, we continue with the L’s.

Logistics
Logistics is the part of the supply chain process that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective movement and placement of people and/or goods and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer’s requirements.

Least Developed Country (LDC)
Least Developed Countries, also known as Least Developed Developing Countries (LDDC’s) are considered to possess the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development of all countries. They are characterized by a low gross national product per capita, a reliance on subsistence agriculture, rapid population growth and inadequate infrastructure. This group of countries receives additional exemptions from duties and merchandise processing fees.

License Agreement
A sales agreement in which a domestic company (the licensor) allows a foreign company (the licensee) to market its products in a foreign country in return for royalties, fees or other forms of compensation.

Section XX of the HTSUS – January 11

Thank you for joining us for our series on classification. Last week, we explored the articles contained in Section XIX of the HTSUS. Today, we will continue our study of the various commodities covered in Section XX of the HTSUS. Having a good general knowledge of the products covered in each section and chapter will expedite the classification process and improve accuracy of your classifications. First, let’s look at the answer to last week’s question.

Answer to Section XIX Question
Classify a “pin” used in manufacturing hand grenades for the Army.
Answer: 9306.90.0080

Section XX covers Chapters 94 through 96, which consist of furniture, lamps, toys, games, sporting equipment, and miscellaneous articles not elsewhere provided. There are no Section Notes, but the Chapter Notes contain important information that should not be overlooked.

Chapter 94 covers furnishings such as chairs, medical furniture, mattresses, lighting fixtures, and parts of the above articles. Pay close attention to Chapter Note 1, which provides a list of products that are excluded from this chapter. The historical definition of furniture required that it had to fit or sit on the floor; however, certain furniture such as shelves and cupboards are considered furniture even if they are designed to be hung, fixed to a wall or stand on another piece of furniture (See Chapter Note 2). Lighting fixtures require a breakdown by weight of material such as metal, glass and wood

Chapter 95 covers wheeled children's riding toys, dolls, stuffed toys, models, video games, Christmas decorations, sporting equipment and fishing gear. Chapter Note 1 provides a list of articles that are excluded from this chapter. Some articles of this chapter are subject to regulation by the CPSC. The CPSC regulates the import of toys to ensure safety for children playing with the imported toys. Significant changes were made to Chapter 95 in January 2007. If you are reviewing rulings or CBE exams prior to 2007, you may find some discrepancies in the HTS numbers. Generally, items formerly classified under 9501 and 9502 are classified under 9503.

Chapter 96 covers a wide variety of articles such as brooms, brushes, buttons, pens, and cigarette lighters. Chapter Note 1 provides a list of articles that are excluded from this Chapter. Some articles of this chapter are subject to regulation by the FDA, FWS and USDA.

Question
Classify a children’s chair stuffed with polyester fiberfill and made of 100% polyester fabric. The chair is sewn in the shape of a dog and is made for use by a child under the age of 10.

Join us next week for the answer to this week’s classification question and a discussion of Section XXI of the HTSUS. We are approaching the end of our study of the HTSUS. If there are any specific commodities or sections of the HTSUS that you would like to see discussed in this series, please feel free to post a comment or send your suggestions to wizard@boskage.com.

CBP Posts Notice of Exam for April 2010 - Note Change!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a notice to its web site announcing the April 2010 Customs Broker License Exam. The exam will be held at various locations on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. Contact your local port office to verify testing locations. Applications (CBP 3124E) and the exam fee of $200 must be received on or before Monday, March 8, 2010. Applicants should bring the following reference materials to the exam. Please note the appropriate editions for the HTSUS and CFR.

- Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2009 version) with Supplements
It is important to use this edition since questions often require the determination of the correct HTS number, duty rate and applicability of Free Trade Agreements, all of which may change slightly from year to year.

- Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (revised as of April 1, 2009) Parts 0 to140, 141 to 199
Last year, CBP included Parts 200 to End on the Exam; however, it appears that these will not be required for the April 2010 Exam.

Part 149 covering ISF was added to Title 19 in 2009, so it is a target for this exam.

- Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)

Appendix B - Valid Codes
Appendix D - Metric Conversion
Appendix E - Valid Entry Numbers
Appendix G - Common Errors
Appendix H - Census Warning Messages
Appendix L - Drawback Errors
Glossary of Terms

- Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (8-30-2005)

-Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments-Remote Location Filing Eligibility Requirements

- Directives
3510-004, Monetary Guidelines for Setting Bond Amounts
Amendment to 3510-004 for Certain Merchandise Subject to Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Cases
3550-055, Instructions for Deriving Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code
3550-067, Entry Summary Acceptance and Rejection Policy
3550-079A, Ultimate Consignee at time of Entry or Release
3560-001A, Census Interface-Processing Procedures
5610-002A, Standard Guidelines for the Input of Names and Addresses Into Automated Commercial System (ACS) Files

It’s time to get ready for the next Customs Broker Exam! Click HERE for a complete list of the Boskage study plans and products designed to help you study and pass the exam! Remember, there is no substitute for actually reading and studying the required materials. Visit the Boskage Trade News Blog for additional for import/export news updates, articles about specific trade topics and helpful posts related the Customs Broker Exam!

Trade Compliance Resolutions

Congratulations to the winners of our Trade Compliance New Year’s Resolution Contest!

1st Place – Denice Clark – Benchmark Electronics
2nd Place – Judit Tanai
3rd Place – Steven Britt – United Solar Ovonic

As we promised, here is a list of some of the resolutions submitted. We enjoyed reading them and hope you will too!

This year I will:

• Complete an easy to use compliance checklist data-base that can be used across three sites and attend at least one trade seminar.
• Lose weight. This in and of itself should be fairly simple given the amount of lifting and heavy carrying I must do to move my CBP materials around.
• Attend many more trade compliance related seminars and events with a fervor few religious zealots can match in an effort to become more familiar with the industry and the current issues impacting the trade community.
• Minimize the time I spend reading useless information on the Internet and focus more on the professional goals I want to reach.
• No longer worry about finding employment in the industry as I am confident about what I have to offer and know that my time to shine will come soon.
• Gain copies of all EEI’s for the routed export transactions that occur when our foreign customers (who purchase Ex Works) setup the international movement of their shipments.
• Find, implement and demonstrate more ways trade compliance can save our company money to justify my continued existence as well as that of my staff!
• Devote a little more time to reading industry news and publications.
• Learn more about export compliance.
• Pay more attention to details in the entry summaries – strive for 100% accuracy when final entry summary is submitted.

Thank you to everyone who submitted resolutions! If you have any suggestions for future contests, we'd be happy to hear them!

Remote Location Filing Becomes Permanent

The notice of final rule for Remote Location Filing “RLF” was published in the Federal Register on December 30, 2009.

RLF is a program that allows approved customs brokers and importers to file electronic entry data for clearance of imported cargo from a location other than where the goods will arrive. For example, a broker located in New Orleans can file an entry for merchandise located in Charlotte. North Carolina.

RLF allows customs brokers with a national permit to serve several port locations without the cost of maintaining multiple offices. Approved importers and brokers transmit electronic entry data via the Automated Broker Interface, also called ABI, to designated RLF ports.

The new regulations making RLF a permanent CBP program will be included part of 19 CFR 143 Subpart E and become effective on January 29, 2010.

Trade Terms Tuesday

Welcome to Trade Terms Tuesday! Each Tuesday, we will share three trade-related terms. In order to reach out to our diverse readership, we will try to provide one for exports, one for imports, and one for logistics/transportation. This week, we continue by combining the J’s and K’s.

Jib
The jib is the projecting arm of a crane. One end contains a hook used for lifting goods.

Judicial Review
Judicial Review is a feature of U.S. Constitutional Law that allows a court to review the actions of another court of law, government official or some other legally appointed person or body. For example, affected parties may file petitions for review with the Court of International Trade for things such as denial of protests (19 CFR 174.31) and broker’s licenses (19 CFR 111.17).

Kyoto Convention
The International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Kyoto Convention) entered into force in 1974 and was revised and updated to ensure that it meets the current demands of governments and international trade.

The WCO Council adopted the revised Kyoto Convention in June 1999 as the blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21st century. Once implemented widely, it will provide international commerce with the predictability and efficiency that modern trade requires. Entered into force in 2006, the Revised Kyoto Convention promotes trade facilitation and effective controls through its legal provisions that detail the application of simple yet efficient procedures. The Revised Convention also contains new and obligatory rules for its application, which all Contracting Parties must accept without reservation.

Section XIX of the HSTUS

Thank you for joining us for our series on classification. Two weeks ago, we explored the articles contained in Section XVIII of the HTSUS. Today, we will continue our study of the various commodities covered in Section XIX of the HTSUS. Having a good general knowledge of the products covered in each section and chapter will expedite the classification process and improve accuracy of your classifications.

Answer to Section XVII Question
Classify a collapsible music stand for use with a violin
9209.92.2000
Question 40 October 2009 Exam

Section XIX covers Chapter 93, which consists of arms, such as pistols and rifles, ammunition and parts of the foregoing. Articles of this chapter are subject to regulation by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Many of the items found in this chapter require permits and special forms. Importation of automatic and semi-automatic "assault" weapons are prohibited from any country. Importation of other firearms are prohibited from certain countries . In addition to ATF regulations, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and CBP have regulations regarding the shipment of arms and ammunition to ensure the safety of the carrier, prevent unauthorized import and export of terrorist weapons and protection of passengers, employees and others.


Question
Classify a “pin” used in manufacturing hand grenades for the Army.

Join us next week for the answer to this week’s classification question and a discussion of Section XX of the HTSUS. We are approaching the end of our study of the HTSUS. If there are any specific commodities or sections of the HTSUS that you would like to see discussed in this series, please feel free to post a comment or send your suggestions to wizard@boskage.com