US CBP: Country of Origin Marking of Products, Hong Kong

Full Federal Register Notice: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-11/pdf/2020-17599.pdf?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&utm_source=federalregister.gov&utm_medium=email

CSMS #43511668 – Information on COBRA User Fee Changes Effective October 1, 2020

Pursuant to the General Notice (85 FR 45646) published July 29, 2020, various changes to user fees within the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1985 will take effect on October 1, 2020. The General Notice may be accessed at the link below:https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-07-29/pdf/2020-16450.pdf

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) ad valorem rate of 0.3464% will NOT change. The MPF minimum and maximum for formal entries (class code 499) will change. The minimum will change from $26.79 to $27.23; and the maximum will change from $519.76 to $528.33.

The fee for informal entry or release (class code 311) will change to $2.18.

The surcharge for manual entry or release will change to $3.27.

The dutiable mail fee (class code 496) will change to $5.99.

Another CSMS will be sent when the changes are in the ACE Certification environment for trade testing.

Massport / Port of Boston Computers Down Temporarily

Good Morning,

Computers are down, no estimated time when this will be resolved.  The problem is with the provider in Seattle. If you want to pull your drivers you can.

We will send another update when available.

Regards, Yani

LABOUR STRIKE AT PORT OF MONTREAL

Update to United States Mexico Canada Agreement

After 25 year, the old North American Trade Agreement will be replaced tomorrow July 1, 2020. Each participating country has its own name, yet all three names refer to the same trade agreement. Please see the name for each country listed below. 

• United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), in the United States
• Tratado entre Mexico, Estados Unidos y Canada (T-MEC), in Mexico.
• Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), in Canada.

US Customs and Border Patrol issued a cargo systems messaging service with the final instructions. Please see CMSM# 43215543 US-Mexico-Canada Agreements (USMCA) Implementing Instructions (Final) – July 30, 2020. The CSMA published by Customs lists the website were you can find specific information for importing under USMCA. BOC will provide a Certificate of Origin that contains all the data elements that are required for USMCA, T-MEC and CUMA with instructions, to any party requesting it.  

Cargo Systems Messaging Service CSMS #43215543
US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementing Instructions (Final) – June 30, 2020

This message is to inform the Trade Community of the release of the USMCA Implementing Instructions (Final) on June 30, 2020.  The link to this document is available below.

These USMCA Implementing Instructions replace the Updated USMCA Interim Implementing Instructions issued on June 16, 2020, and provide guidance on the new requirements under the USMCA, including information on USMCA entry, compliance, rules-of-origin, origin certifications, new auto requirements, textile requirements, and other requirements for claiming USMCA preferential treatment for goods.

The supporting USMCA regulations, the new Part 182 of Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR 182) that includes the USMCA Uniform Regulations, will be issued on July 1, 2020.  Additionally, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States will be amended effective, July1, 2020 to include General Note 11 (GN11) with information on the USMCA rules of origin, product specific rules, and other requirements.

Effective July1, 2020, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) terminates and the USMCA enters into force.

Questions regarding this guidance can be directed to Maya Kamar, Director, Textiles and Trade Agreements Division at (202) 945-7228 or email FTA@CBP.DHS.GOV.

Questions regarding the USMCA automotive certification submission process for Labor Value Content certification, Steel certification, and Aluminum certification can be directed to the USMCA Center email at USMCA@CBP.DHS.GOV. 

The USMCA Implementing Instructions – June 30, 2020

https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/usmca-implementation-instructions

The USMCA Implementation Act (Public Law No: 116-113)

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/5430/text

The USMCA Agreement, Final Text

https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement/agreement-between

USTR Federal Register Notice on USMCA Alternative Staging Regimes for Automotive Imports – 85 FRN 22238, April 21, 2020

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-04-21/pdf/2020-08405.pdf

CSMS #43197567 – USMCA Post-Importation Claims and MPF Processing

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-293247f?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

Capacity Cut by Blank Sailings

The international trading industry continues to face challenges.  It is reported that the shipping companies suspended a large volume in May and June, leading to container freight rates rising. Ports and the container shipping industry will continue to be under pressure in the coming months.

Due to the impact of the pandemic on global trade, according to data provided by Alphaliner, as at May 11, the number of global container ships standing idle has reached 524, with a total idle standing capacity of 2.65 million TEU. It is equivalent to 11.3% of the global container shipping capacity. It has become the highest in history.

The shipping companies have announced the cancellation of a total of 478 voyages, of which 350 voyages are mainly on deep ocean routes.

TRANSATLANTIC NETWORK SEASONAL BLANK SAILING PROGRAMME UPDATE

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company would like to inform you that in order to respond to lower demand due to the increased impact of COVID-19 across Europe and the USA, we will continue our seasonal blanking programme.

The temporary suspension of our NEUATL4 service will be extended till week 28.

(NOTE: Rotation affected by MSC NEUATL service is: Antwerp – Rotterdam – Bremerhaven – Felixstowe – New York – Savannah – Port Everglades – Charleston)

The programme will continue with the followed omissions:

• Week 24 omission – Blanking vessel voyage 024W – ETD Antwerp 08.06.2020 
• Week 25 omission – Blanking vessel voyage 025W – ETD Antwerp 15.06.2020
• Week 26 omission – Blanking vessel voyage 026W – ETD Antwerp 22.06.2020
• Week 27 omission – Blanking vessel voyage 027W – ETD Antwerp 29.06.2020
• Week 28 omission – Blanking vessel voyage 028W – ETD Antwerp 06.07.2020 

You may continue to place bookings with limited disruption as we are arranging a contingency plan with alternative services.

Should you have any questions regarding these blanking, please contact your MSC local office.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support