6165 Barfield Road
Atlanta GA, 30328
United States
Tel: +1 (770)688-1206
Fax: +1 (770)688-1229
Registrar Corp’s Regulatory Advisors are available 24-hours a day seven days a week to assist with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. They have a live chat that is managed by global staff to help assist with questions regarding labeling requirements, FDA registration, detained shipments and more.
Please visit their website for further information!
The new USMCA Trade Agreement will be entering into force in just a few months! CBP has published an interim implementation instructions guide.
The Department of Commerce has initiated an investigation on “Forged Steel Fluid End Blocks” Germany, India, Italy and China. The products covered by these investigations are forged steel fluid end blocks (fluid end blocks), whether in finished or unfinished form, and which are typically used in the manufacture or service of hydraulic pumps.
CBP has released their schedule for the customs broker’s license exams for 2020. The April 2020 exam will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, and exam scheduled for October 2020 will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2020. Registration for the April 2020 exam will open on February 3rd at 12:00 AM EST.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has released the new Incoterms 2020 rules that identify the responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods in international trade. The new terms take effect on January 1, 2020.
Every product subject to a proposed or ongoing Section 301 tariff action is identified by an 8-digit or 10-digit HTS Subheading. This search engine allows you to search by an 8-digit HTS Subheading to obtain information about a proposed or ongoing Section 301 tariff action.
Customs and Border Protection has a new page for CSMS Messages. The old page was accessible until September 30th. Effective October 1st, the new CSMS page will contain the most up to date message feed.
In the coming months, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will deploy a new online tool for submitting Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality requests. Automating the process by which an importer, consignee, or exporter may request confidential treatment of its name and address on inward or outward vessel manifests, this enhancement will allow trade users to manage their own confidentiality requests electronically via a new tool on cbp.gov.
Did you know that there is an update to Incoterms that will be effective January 1, 2020? There will be a few changes! Some of the announced changes include a new incoterm CNI (Cost and Insurance). This term will cover a gap between FCA and CFR.
Unlike FCA, which would include the cost of international insurance on account of the seller-exporter, and as opposed to CFR/CIF. CNI would not include freight. As in the other Incoterms in “C,” this new Incoterm would be an “arrival Incoterm,” i.e., the risk of transport would be transmitted from the seller to the buyer at the port of departure.
Stay tuned over the next several months for more updates on Incoterms 2020!
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) is but one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security.
How CTPAT works? When an entity joins CTPAT, an agreement is made to work with CBP to protect the supply chain, identify security gaps, and implement specific security measures and best practices. Applicants must address a broad range of security topics and present security profiles that list action plans to align security throughout the supply chain.
CTPAT members are considered to be of low risk and are therefore less likely to be examined at a U.S. port of entry.
CBP recently reported that in fiscal year 2018 there was an increase in the number of importer audits. That number increased from 418 to 435 audits. The total number of trade penalties also increased from 931 to 1385. However, the number of liquidated damages decreased by 11%. Any idea why?
It turns out that importers are starting to take proactive measures to maximize compliance in the event they are audited. Some proactive measures include import manuals, submitting binding ruling requests, expert consultations and more. Do you have an import manual? If not, now would be the time to get one! Contact your local JAS representative for more information!
The USTR has published a database with a search option to enter an HTS Code to determine if the tariff is subject to the additional duties from China. The database can be found by clicking here!
Did you know that there is a free, online tool designed by Registrar Corp to assist companies in assessing their U.S. FDA compliance issues, possible requirements and deadlines under five Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Rules?
On 02/15/2019, Commerce published in the Federal Register a notice of lifting the suspension of antidumping duties on truck and bus tires from China. The notice is effective February 15, 2019 and supersedes any previous instructions terminating the antidumping duty.
The 2019 updates to the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule are now available. Please review to ensure that you have the latest version!
China duties are increasing March 2019, are you setup for ACH? Automate your duty payments by signing up for ACH today!
ACH Debit is an alternative to using cash or checks for payment of duties and fees on imported merchandise to US Customs. It is a great option to automate payments directly from the importer’s account and eliminate delays and can also be a cost savings. For more information on how to get setup with an ACH account, ask your JAS representative today!
Are you wondering if imports from Hong Kong are subject to the additional 301 duties? Or what about if the 301 duties are eligible for drawbacks? Are goods subject to the 301 tariffs if it’s admitted into a free trade zone (FTZ)?
CBP has the answers for you! Check out the section 301 trade remedies frequently asked questions!
We just received a CF-28 from U.S. Customs ….. WHAT NOW?
The industry is starting to see an increase in the number of CF 28’s and CF29’s due to related imports covered by the Section 301 tariffs on goods from China. We are expecting to see what could be even more of an increase over the next couple of weeks. CBP will be scrutinizing imports of goods subject to the Section 301 duties and the ability to show reasonable care is critical. A lack of reasonable care can lead to steep penalties!
DAP is the short form for “Delivered at Place” that was introduced in 2010. It is a term of agreement between a buyer and a seller much like DDU. DDU was removed from Incoterms 2010 and replaced with DAP; however, many traders continue to use DDU in their business documents. As a result, if traders use the terms in their business documents it is mandatory to mention “as per Incoterms 2000.” Otherwise, DAP terms are applicable.
CONCERNED WITH HIGH DUTIES ON IMPORTS FROM CHINA?
AUTOMATE YOUR DUTY PAYMENTS BY SIGNING UP FOR ACH TODAY!
ACH Debit is alternative to using cash or checks for payment of duties and fees on imported merchandise. It is a great option to automate payments directly from the importer’s account and eliminate delays and can also be a cost savings. For more information on how to get setup with an ACH account, ask your JAS representative today!
Can you guess how many tariff numbers are in the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule?
Over 17,000!!!!!! The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), also referred to as the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTSA), is the primary resource for determining tariffs (customs duties) classifications for goods imported into the United States. It can also be used in place of Schedule B for classifying goods exported from the United States to foreign countries. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule classifies a good based on its name, use, and/or the material used in its construction and assigns it a ten-digit classification code number, and there are over 17,000 unique classification code numbers!!!!
Is an Electronic Export Information (EEI) Declaration required?
Shipments that require an EEI or AES filing are required but not limited to the following:
There are several exemptions as to why an AES/EEI would not be required and can be found in 15 CFR 30.36 and 30.37.
Does your imported merchandise require antidumping or countervailing duties?
An anti-dumping duty is a protectionist tariff that a domestic government imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced below fair market value. Dumping is a process where a company exports a product at a price lower than the price it normally charges on its own home market. To protect local businesses and markets, many countries impose stiff duties on products they believe are being dumped in their national market.
U.S. Customs has an ADD/CVD searchable database to retrieve up-to-date case information and commodity specific information regarding outstanding cases.
Are You at Risk? Have you ever thought or even said any of these statements?
“Just use this harmonized tariff code, it’s the one we have always used.”
“Send it to another port and use the same HTS and maybe that port won’t catch it…”
”We’ve never had to enter this item as ADD/CVD before so it doesn’t apply.”
“Compliance manual? Why do we need that?”
“Ultimate Consignee type? Other/unknown seems like a good choice.”
“Routed export transaction, who cares.”
“Oh just mark it as EAR99 and send it no license required, it can’t be harmful.”
If you have thought or said any of these statements, you may be putting yourself at a compliance risk! JAS Compliance may be able to help you!!! We offer a variety of value-add services.
Please contact your JAS representative today for more information!
In November, JAS USA Corporate Compliance team members teamed up with JAS Atlanta Branch team members to facilitate client compliance training. From left to right, Calvin Oh (Corporate Compliance), Scott Cassell (Corporate Compliance), Carlo Rebuffi (Manager of Live Animals Division-ATL), Laurie Arnold (VP Corporate Compliance), and Rishma Patel (CHB Manager-ATL). The team was able to facilitate learning on the topic of import compliance.
OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control), part of the Department of Treasury, has imposed a $1.1 Million penalty on a US individual. The panlty was issued for 75 violations of OFAC Iran sanctions.
To read the full details check out the link below:
BIS has published its newest edition of "Don't Let This Happen to You!" The newest version includes new enforcement cases. New topics include the first Disruptive Technology Strike Force case, criminal cases, an assassination plot and much more.
Check out the full document at the link below:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added 29 new entities to the UFLPA Entity list. There are now more than 100 PRC-Based companies on the list. The companies on the list face significant challenge to enter goods into the United States because of alleged forced labor practices.
To read more details, check out the link to the Federal Register.
The President-elect has indicated that tariffs are coming to Canadian and Mexican goods in January. In a recent post on Truth Social, he has indicated that an executive order on January 20 will impose 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico with an additional 10% on goods from China. This action is to combat illegal immigration and illicit drugs.
This November, we are honored to feature Tracey Suggs, Import Specialist at JAS Forwarding USA Inc., for his tireless advocacy for individuals with Down Syndrome. While October marks Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Tracey and his family advocate every day for the empowerment and inclusion of individuals who face intellectual and developmental challenges. Inspired by his daughter, Treana, who has Down Syndrome, Tracey is driven to ensure that every individual can live their fullest life. Treana's zest for life and inspiring spirit is a testament to the impact of love, perseverance, and understanding that Tracey strives to bring to his work and community. Tracey’s unwavering commitment to making a difference embodies our values at JAS, reminding us all of the importance of inclusivity and advocacy in both our professional and personal lives.
Tracey has been with JAS for 3 years and has been in the industry for over 20 years. Tracey has a passion for sports, fitness, art, community advocacy (special needs/disadvantaged youth), and spending time with family.
JAS Forwarding VP Compliance, Laurie Arnold joined forces with JAS Forwarding Global Development Director Jennifer Koon, and Regional Sales Director Lindsay Gambee to attend the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA) Fall Conference (Western Cowboy Theme) in Grapevine, Texas from October 20-23.
They were able to meet with numerous members of the trade community and discuss current events and network.
On November 1, 2024, BIS imposed a civil penalty of $500,000 against a semiconductor wafer manufacturing company. The U.S. subsidiary shipped approximately $17.1 million of semiconductor wafers company listed on the BIS Entity List, without the required licese/authorization.
The company voluntarily disclosed the conduct and cooperated which resulted in significant reduction in the penalty.
To read more, check out the final order below.
The U.S. Trade Representative has announced the opening of a process to request Section 301 exclusions. The requests will be limited to certain machinery within chapters 84 and 85 of the HTSUS.
The docket opened on October 15, 2025, and the deadline for submitting requests is March 31, 2025.
To read more details, check out the link below to the press release.
On October 30, 2024, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined "...that a U.S. Industry is not materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of aluminum extrusions from China, Columbia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Itay, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam that the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) has determined are sold in the United States at less than fair value, and subsidized by the Governments of China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey."
The overall result is that "...Commerce will not issue antidumping duty orders on imports of this product from..." the countries listed.
It is important to note that older AD/CVD orders on aluminum extrusions remain in effect (2011).
To read the full press release, click the button below.
U.S. Customs has posted in the Federal Register the long-awaited information on the continuing education requirement credit hours for the current triennial period. The notice published in the Federal Register on November 1, 2024, CBP has announced that "...customs brokers license holders may begin completing qualified continuing broker education courses on January 1, 2025 (compliance date) and, accordingly, 20 credits as the prorated number of required credit hours for the triennial period beginning on February 1, 2024, and ending on January 31, 2027."
Additionally, the notice "...announces the criteria that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) used to select qualified accreditors, the list of CBP-selected qualified accreditors, and the period of award for these accreditors."
September was a busy month for JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc. Compliance team members.
Laurie Arnold and Leah Ellis attended the NCBFAA (National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America) GAC (Government Affairs Conference). During the conference, Laurie and Leah "walked the hill" and met with numerous congress members to discuss industry issues.
Scott Cassell spent time with clients in Newark, NJ along with J. Nathan May, Regional Sales Director to facilitate training on the HTS GRI (Harmonized Tariff Schedule General Rules of Interpretation) and Incoterms 2020.
Our October spotlight of the month is Rishma Patel from our Atlanta branch, where Rishma has been with JAS since 1997. Rishma has been in the industry for 32 years. She is the CHB Manager and Licensed Customs Broker responsible for the JAS Atlanta/College Park location.
Rishma's favorite sports are cricket, volleyball, tennis and badminton. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, drawing and food carving.
Rishma's dedication is yet another example that People Make the Difference!
The USTR (US Trade Representative) announced that they are proposing to increase Section 301 tariff rates on five subheadings of the HTSUS covering certain products of tungsten, wafers, and polysilicon.
The public docket was opened to allow for comments. All comments should be submitted by October 22, 2024.
To read more, check out the link below:
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is working to modernize the options for filing certificate data. "CPSC is actively developing the eFiling program and finalizing rulemaking." This creates a new opportunity to streamline the filing of General Certificates of Conformity (GCC).
Read more by checking out the link below:
A new Federal Register notice has been issued on September 26, 2024, proposing a ban on Chinese and/or Russian "Vehicle Connectivity Systems (VCS)." According to the notice, BIS/Commerce "...is soliciting comment on this proposed rule, which builds on the advance notice proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) issued by BIS on March 1, 2024." Comments to the proposed rule must be received on or before October 28, 2024.
To read more details check out the Federal Register Notice
Our September spotlight of the month is Mr. Joseph Schmidt from our New York branch, where he has been with JAS since 1998. Joe has been in the business for 46 years and has been a Licensed Customs Broker since 1983. He is the Broker Manager and Licensed Customs Broker responsible for the JAS New York location.
Joe loves sports, and is a huge fan of the NY Mets, Giants and Knicks. He also loves Elvis Presley. His ringtone on his phone is the song "Follow That Dream" from the 1962 Elvis movie of the same name.
His long tenure shows not only his dedication to JAS, but also shows JAS' commitment to retain dedicated professionals because People Make the Difference!
The JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc. Corporate Compliance Team met in August at our Corporate Headquarters.
The JAS Corporate Compliance Team gets together regularly to discuss current trade compliance topics such as AD/CVD (recent aluminum case), and section 301 matters. Additionally, the Compliance Team is always strategizing on how to better serve our client's compliance needs.
The team was able to have an evening of team building throwing axes!
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) has recently gone into effect. The MoCRA is the most significant expansion of FDA's authority to regulate cosmetics since the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act was passed in 1938.
Manufacturers and processors must register their facilities with FDA and renew every two years. Examples of items subject to MoCRA include but are not limited to baby products, bath preparations, various makeups, hair products, and even oral products such as mouthwash.
There are free tools available to determine whether FDA's new MoCRA regulations apply. Check out the link below to utilize this free tool!
An importer of uniforms and footwear has been penalized $1.3 Million for a fraudulent scheme involving fake invoices that deliberately and materially understated the value of their imports. These goods were being imported from China, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The defendants, including the CEO were also accused of providing invoices misrepresenting the fabric content which resulted in reduced duty amounts.
To read more details, check out the full US District court order.
Indira Coomar from our JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc. Norfolk branch has been with JAS for 14 years in September. She likes to run each morning. During her runs, she takes some very beautiful photos of the sunrise over the beach and shares them with an inspirational quote to start many days. One of her recent quotes was “the secret to getting ahead is getting started!” We appreciate Indira’s motivation, and this attitude perfectly reflects that People Make the Difference.
July 2024, JAS Forwarding (USA) Inc.’s Laurie Arnold (VP Compliance) and Scott Cassell (Corporate Compliance Project Manager) facilitated a client seminar covering Foreign Trade Zone, Forced Labor and Duty Drawback. The event was hosted by our JAS Forwarding (USA)Inc. Charlotte Branch!
CBP publishes monthly trade statistics that provide a snapshot of the volume of shipments being processed. In May2024, CBP processed more than 2.9 million entry summaries. This includes numerous modes of transport from all over the world.
CBP’s monthly trade stats show duties paid, seizures, WRO data and much more.
To read the full article, check out the link below.
CBP has announced an increase of the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) within the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The fee increase will be effective on October 1, 2024.
The new minimum will increase from $31.67 to $32.71. The new maximum will increase from $614.35 to 634.62. The ad valorem rate of 0.3464% remains unchanged.
For more details check out the link below.
Our Sites use cookies for analytics purposes. For more information about the cookies we use on our Sites or how you can disable them, please see our Cookie Policy.
.png)