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According to Customs and Border Protection Ruling number HQ H254133, payment of duties for tea bags and tea packaging are to be considered separate. Starbucks sells Tazo Tea in retail packaging at grocery stores and in their stores. As sold in the United States, Tazo Tea consists of tea that is flavored with various ingredients and then packaged in single serve tea bags for retail sale. Starbucks imports bulk tea bags into the United States, then exports it to a foreign country where it is then packaged. As a result, the duties are considered to be separate!
The CBP states rulings previously issued on the separate classification of packaging for clarification in the letter.
"Moreover, CBP has consistently issued rulings concerning the separate classification of wrappers, outer containers, and inside containers for retail packaged tea that is less than 2.3 kg net. In HQ 957210, dated March 6, 1995, we issued a ruling on flavored tea that was packaged in foil packages inside cardboard boxes, wherein we directed the importer to classify the packaging components separately. On November 22, 1993, in New York Ruling Letter (NY) 892095, CBP issued a ruling on black tea that was imported in paper tea bags, with each tea bag enclosed in a paper sack. The tea bags were packaged in a cellophane-wrapped paper box in sizes of 10 or 24 tea bags per box. The importer was advised that “all immediate containers and wrappings, and all intermediate containers, of tea in packages less than 2.3 kilograms, net, each are dutiable at the rates applicable to such containers and wrappings if imported empty.” On November 28, 2006, we issued NY N004087 to Starbucks on merchandise substantially similar to the instant merchandise. See also NY 851505, dated April 27, 1990, NY E81943, dated June 4, 1999, and N258048, dated March 27, 2014."
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For February, we are highlighting Jacquelyn Bakker, our CHB Manager in the JAS Chicago office. Jacqulyn started her career in the industry in 2012 in an accounting role before moving into the brokerage side in 2014. In her words, that’s when she “found my niche.” Jacquelyn joined JAS in 2018. After being named as the Brokerage Supervisor, Jacquelyn decided to take on the “daunting task” of obtaining her broker’s license. After 3 months of studying, Jacquelyn was able to pass on the first try! Jacquelyn manages a team of 6 entry writers in our Chicago branch and CHB manager. Jacquelyn is detail oriented and attentive to the needs of her clients internally and externally!
Jacquelyn has a 19-year old daughter, loving fiance and 2 dogs at home. She enjoys family time BBQing in the summer, taking the dogs for longs walks, playing Pokemon Go with family and seeing movies in the theater.
Jacquelyn is yet another great example that People Make the Difference!
CBP is leading global efforts in combating forced labor by imposing import bans on goods produced with forced labor. This has inspired international action, including the European Union’s adoption of similar measures and the inclusion of forced labor prohibitions in the USMCA. CBP’s actions have also driven labor reforms, notably in Malaysia, which launched a National Action Plan on Forced Labor and ratified an international protocol to combat forced labor. These advancements demonstrate CBP’s significant influence in shaping global supply chain accountability and driving positive change.
Read more about it by checking out the link below:
CBP announced on January 16, 2025 an NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) related to “illicit low-value shipments.” Section 321 (a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 allows for duty and tax exemptions on low-value shipments entering the U.S., such as gifts, personal goods, and other merchandise valued at $800 or less. The exemption, first introduced in 1938, aimed to reduce the burden of collecting duties on minimal-value imports. However, the surge in e-commerce and the increase in low-value shipments has made it difficult for CBP to effectively manage and target high-risk shipments, such as illicit drugs. To address this, CBP is proposing enhanced data requirements for low-value shipments to improve enforcement and targeting.
Read more by checking out the link below:
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