QUESTION: We have learned that we may have two entities (gold smelters) deep in our supply chain that were blocked by OFAC as of this past April. Although not specifically named by OFAC, these two entities appear to be captured by the sanctions because they are >50% owned by a blocked entity. This information came […]
QUESTION: Our broker has been entering zero amounts for invoice lines with an extended amount under $1 in value. Although ACE is allowing these zero dollar entry summary lines, I’m not sure this is acceptable to CBP. Need some advice or guidance on this. Thanks. ========== Answers: First you need to understand that CBP rounds […]
QUESTION: I am an educator-consultant and a licensed customs broker with district and national permit that I renew yearly. Don’t do any brokerage work. Just in case to provide my clients with services considered ‘customs business’ such as classification and so on. I work off my cell phone and want to cut off my land […]
QUESTION: Hello: trying to obtain more information regarding the miscellaneous tariff bill. Is there any requirements the importer has to abide by in order to qualify for the miscellaneous tariff bill? My understanding is if you have a product on the tariff list your are good to utilize the 9902 HTS. Is it also true […]
QUESTION: With the recent headlines about hacked microchips in Chinese origin hardware, one of our customers has asked us for a letter explaining how we verify the security of components sourced from China and Taiwan. This is the first request of this kind that we have received, and the customer hasn’t made this request before […]
QUESTION: Please advise if UNSPC codes are a regulatory mandatory requirement for your products. Our Sourcing department has asked Trade Compliance to take over the responsibility of assigning this code in our company. I am aware of the UNSPC code but, I really cannot find that it is an absolute mandatory requirement. I would be […]
QUESTION: I’m a US company and we’re entering the Saudi Arabian market. We will be doing so as part of a joint venture. My CEO has asked if that JV can do business with Iran. Can it? What do I tell him? Citations would be great! ========== Answers: Unlikely-the point of […]
QUESTION: We are in the process of reviewing our product database and comparing it to the MTB list. We think we have a match to the MTB product description, but as the MTB descriptions are so specific, is there a source where we can get confirmation? ========== Answers: For the MTB, the tariff code governs […]
QUESTION: We just became aware that a product we import is on the MTB temporary duty exemption list. When did this go into effect? If we did not claim duty free entry under Chapter 99 Heading can we claim it retroactively to the date of effect? The effective date is “on or before 12/31/2020”. Not […]
QUESTION: I have an overseas supplier who buy material, who also supplies various other companies in the US. This supplier has come forward and asked us to handle all the logistics for one of their other consumers. What they are proposing is that they will be the shipper, my company would be the consignee and […]
QUESTION: Our current standard practice is to include inland freight and insurance on our product value for the EEI filing. We do this using a freight calculator by region as we typically are not totally certain of the inland freight costs at the time of the EEI filing. I am curious how many other members […]
QUESTION: We’ve recently started getting requests for a US certificate of origin for products going to China. Does anyone have a suggestion for obtaining these certificates? ************ Add’l Answers: Google it, you will find various templates that you can purchase. You can also contact your Chamber of Commerce (they used to sell paper forms which […]
