Published May 18, 2007 by

Informed Compliance Publication on Agglomerated Stone

We classify a lot of products, usually decorative figurines, that a claimed to be made from “polystone” sometimes mixed with “polyresin” binding material. Most of it goes into statistical reporting number 6810.99.0080. This publication focused on narrowing the definition of artificial stone. It is not just the natural stone binded with plastic resins, cement, or lime… but it also must be “uniformly agglomerated together throughout the body of the article.” If it is not uniformly distributed, then GRI (3) is applicable, where if natural stone is essential character, then it goes into heading 6802. This effectively brings the duty up from zero to six percent. Publication further implies that in order for artificial stone to qualify for 6810, it must be made from “natural” stone. As an example of non-natural stone, publication mentions calcium carbonate in the form of a synthetic chemical. Interestingly, assumed percentage requirement by weight, is not a factor in determining the essential character of agglomerated article. For example, stone uniformly mixed with plastics (polystone/polyresin compound) is 6810 by GRI (1) regardless of weight predominance. Yet, it goes on to say that even in the absence of standard, if natural stone by weight is less than 20…

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Product Regulation U.S. Federal Agencies

Customs and Border Protection Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification Home & Garden Products HTS Heading 6802 HTS Heading 6810

Published April 25, 2007 by

Pet Chews and Agriculture Specialists

To get rawhide, porkhide, or avian pet products into the United States, you have to deal with FDA, USDA, and CBP regulations. In addition to regular commercial and shipping documents you also need to provide veterinary certificate and NCIE import permit if pet chews are not plain. A lot can be said about the process, but the purpose of this article is to focus on CBP Agriculture process. Agriculture Specialists currently work under Department of Homeland Security, yet mostly deal with enforcement of regulatory statutes of the United States Department of Agriculture. When customs broker transmits an entry (for example using HTS 0511.99.2000), it goes on automatic hold and EDR (Entry Documents Required). Agriculture Specialist reviews the entry and then makes a decision (to release, to examine, to request further information). As a guidance for appropriate decision, Agriculture Specialists use the Animal Product Manual. Inspector in one of the ports provided a copy of the relevant page from this manual (see left image to your top right). Basically, it is a replication of USDA GUIDELINES FOR IMPORTATION #1119, only in a different format. Sometimes events do not turn out as planned. For example, foreign government veterinarian did not lists porcine…

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Product Regulation U.S. Federal Agencies

Animal Products Customs and Border Protection HTS Heading 0511 National Center for Import and Export United States Department of Agriculture

Published April 25, 2007 by

Rack Size Paper Bound Books

In today’s issue of the Customs Bulletin, the dimension guidelines for HTSUS 4901.99.0075 were finally published. “Rack size is approximately 6 3/4 inches – 7 inches by 4 1/8 or 4 1/4 inches”

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Product Regulation U.S. Federal Agencies

Customs and Border Protection Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification HTS Heading 4901 Paper Products

Published April 24, 2007 by

FWS Declaration Exemption List

Many members of trading community are not sure whether products that they bring into the United States are subject to FWS declaration. This uncertainty may result in unnecessary expenses. For example, an extra careful importer that brings feather products through the port of Savannah (where FWS Office is not present) will IT shipment in bond to Atlanta (closest FWS Office) for FWS purposes. The genus and species of feathers from which products are made is Pavo cristatus. As a result, that importer incurs unnecessary expense because Pavo cristatus is exempt from FWS regulations.Fish and Wildlife Services at the Port of Atlanta, GA kindly shared their procedures check sheet. The check sheet is a basic replica of 50 CFR 14.4. Even if your product is not subject to FWS regulations, it is still highly advisable to annotate scientific name on the commercial invoice.

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Product Regulation U.S. Federal Agencies

Animal Products Fish and Wildlife Service

Published April 24, 2007 by

Port of Savannah PEA / SIL worksheet

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in Savannah, GA use this worksheet to process PEA / SIL. It is interesting to note the $500 border line. If the request for refund is less than $500, then Entry Specialist is working on it. If the request for refund is more than $500 or it is ADD/CVD / Quota / Special Program entry, then the request is sent into the realm of Import Specialist. Obvious conclusion is that refund requests that are over $500 are subject to extra scrutiny. Procedures for PEA / SIL are published on CBP website.

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U.S. Federal Agencies

Customs and Border Protection Post Entry Amendment

Published April 23, 2007 by

Revised Entry Summary (7501) Not Required for Protest

I always protested entries without revised 7501. However, CBP at port of Savannah GA require revised entry summary to be included with the entry packet. My argument for not including revised 7501 was that since protests are codified in 19 CFR 174.13 where no provision for revised entry summary is mentioned, no revision is required. 1703 is different. Recently I got a call from Newark entry specialist requesting the same thing. They, however, have teams that require and that don’t. All other ports don’t require revisions to the best of my knowledge.

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U.S. Federal Agencies

Customs and Border Protection Protest