Miscellaneous

QUESTION: We are reviewing and updating our hand-carry procedures. A business traveler carries a laptop.    If the software and technology loaded onto the laptop is taken overseas and meets the 734.18(a)(5) criteria: (5) Sending, taking, or storing “technology” or “software” that is: (i) Unclassified; (ii) Secured using ‘end-to-end encryption;’ (iii) Secured using cryptographic modules (hardware or “software”) compliant with […]

QUESTION: For those responsible for classifying products which are highly customizable, such as motor assemblies, how are you currently interpreting the release provisions under paragraph (b), and more specifically, those related to commercial “equivalent” for commodities “in production”? For example: A company offers a commercial series of production motors, which includes a clearly defined spectrum […]

QUESTION: I’m a Trade Compliance Manager and I’ve been asked to summarize the Buy America and Buy American Acts for my company. (I’m pretty sure these are more for Procurement, Supply Chain, and Contracts people, but I am not in a position to decline.)Does anyone in the membership have high-level summaries of these?  Any other […]

QUESTION: I have found the lists of additional tariffs on US goods from Europe, China and Canada. I know other countries have imposed tariffs (Mexico and India for example), but I can’t find the lists of HTS. Does anyone have access to the lists from other countries? I am specifically looking for textile raw materials: […]

QUESTION: How many days in advance can a vessel shipment be cleared and where can I find the fine prints stating this timeline? Do I need to have the carrier/forwarder’s arrival notice before I make an entry. We do not have anything moving on ITs. I am strictly talking about clearing at the US port […]

QUESTION: Is anyone aware of any problems importing charcoal? ********** Answers: Charcoal is regulated under the Lacey Act (see hyperlink ).  Make sure your PPQ 505 forms are in order and you can substantiate (objective documentation) the country of harvest, genus/species, and proper reporting quantities. http://www.icpainc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Lacey-Act-Implementation-Schedule-102913.pdf ************ Don’t know of any Customs/OGA issues per se….but […]

QUESTION: I’m a Trade Compliance Manager and I’ve been asked to summarize the Buy America and Buy American Acts for my company. (I’m pretty sure these are more for Procurement, Supply Chain, and Contracts people, but I am not in a position to decline.)Does anyone in the membership have high-level summaries of these?  Any other […]

QUESTION: When will CBP start accepting the yearly permit renewal form online and its payment via CC or bank transfer? I write a check every year and mail it to CBP. This is the only check payment I still make! ========== Answers: They do now ==========   You should be able to do it now […]

QUESTION: Is the ITN itself to be kept confidential, i.e. not shared with foreign colleagues, or transmitted from our filing agent through our foreign server? I could nothing on this specific question in the ICPA archive. =========== Answers: Have a look at 15 cfr 30.69  …  information collected and accessed by the Census Bureau under  15 CFR […]

QUESTION: I need to ask the membership a question regarding the transfer of U.S. technology and engineering.  If a company is considering a licensing agreement with a foreign party relative to the construction of a plant to produce a chemical product and will provide this entity with technology and basic engineering package to be used […]