Miscellaneous

MISCELLANEOUS

  • VAT NUMBER REQUIRED FOR O/BL TO EU

    QUESTION: We are shipping material from Asia directly to our EU subsidiaries and sometimes directly to their customers.   Many of the contracted ocean carriers insist on getting the VAT numbers of the parties on the bill of lading (consignee and notify parties).   This VAT number does not show up on the bill of […]

  • M&A IMPORT SCENARIO

    QUESTION: I am seeking for some guidance and or sharing experiences best practices on oversea shipments customs clearance during M & A as result of name change particularly Latin America and Asia Pacific countries ? E.g. the BOLs and commercial invoices would read ABC Company but when it gets to destination ABC became XYZ – […]

  • CENSUS NOTIFICATION LETTER

    QUESTION: Does anyone have experience in requesting a ‘Census Notification letter’ to customs?   Not sure what the letter is called, but it is to request eliminating census errors for certain recurring value/qty errors in ACE. This ‘Census Notification letter’ gets submitted to customs to notify of the recurring errors so they can investigate your […]

  • REUSABLE CONTAINERS

    QUESTION: We receive and send reusable plastic and cardboard containers / crates to and from Mexico and Canada. And to and from Japan.   Is there a way, other than using 9803.00.50 (for the plastic, obviously not the cardboard) and all the rigmarole (i.e., tracking individual containers and bonds) to avoid paying duties on this […]

  • GLOBAL MANUFACTURING HUBS

    QUESTION: In general terms, our company is looking to identify potential manufacturing sites overseas and is reviewing landed cost (including duties, Free Trade, etc.) and Customs/export shipping ease.   One question that was asked was, in generic terms, what countries around the world have efficient global export hubs with strong import/export infrastructure and Free Trade […]

  • BAG AND TMP

    QUESTION: Is the use of the exceptions BAG and TMP only required for items requiring an export license? I have seen examples of phones and computers being listed on these forms for customs purposes when an export license is not required. ========== Well the answer is “yes”.  You do not use a BIS LICENSE EXCEPTION […]

  • ZIKA DISINFECTED PROCESS FOR CHINA

    QUESTION: China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) implemented a policy in early 2016 under which China-bound cargo shipments originating in Zika infested  countries (e.g., Thailand, USA) must be “disinfected” to kill mosquitoes or larvae present in the cargo.  AQSIQ then regionalized Zika Virus disinfection requirements for US to vessels originating from […]

  • LICENSED BROKER VISITING CUBA

    QUESTION: May a licensed US Customs broker go to Cuba and retain their license upon return? ========== Answers:   Are you traveling, or doing a temporary work assignment? Your personal license is not forfeited at any time due to location to my knowledge.  Stay in communication with your licensing CBP office and keep them updated […]

  • LOGISTICS COMPANY AS C/O ON BILL OF LADING

    QUESTION: We just switched to a logistics company that advised us they need to show themselves c/o our company on the bill of lading as consignee in order for us to obtain their quoted rate which is their service contract rate with the carrier.  They are not an NVOCC and we are not a signatory […]

  • CARNET SCENARIO

    QUESTION: I am asking for feedback on the use of a carnet.  I have verified with an upcoming trade show in Paris that no carnet is required.  Would you use one anyway? What is your typical practice on the use of a carnet?  Does the value of trade show items a consideration?  Do you only […]

  • CERT OF ORIGIN DOCUMENT

    QUESTION: Is the Country of Origin document/ certificate a mandatory requirement for import clearance, even though no FTA benefit is availed. In absence of the COO certificate can the mention of COO on the invoice be deemed to be ‘sufficient’ for customs release? =================== ANSWERS: This is a country specific question and you did not […]

  • USPPI FPPI SCENARIO

    QUESTION: Any Help would be appreciated as I have only been the ECO / ICO for a year   Scenario:   Foreign company A purchases goods from USA Company B. USA company B will ship the goods to Foreign company C. Foreign company A is related to USA Company B. Foreign Company A Provides an […]