Miscellaneous

QUESTION: We have started receiving customer requests, not unexpectedly, to not use particular HTS classifications on our customs documentation. Does anyone have any language they use to respond to these requests? ========= Answers: My first response would be to state in no uncertain terms that using an incorrect HTS in order to avoid the payment […]

QUESTION: I’ve been asked to clarify our vague corporate policy on end user certs. I’m going to suggest this as a baseline. Thoughts? Every international transaction (if it crosses a border). Every domestic transaction involving a distributor or any other transaction where you know (or reasonably think) that the shipment might be destined internationally. Also, […]

QUESTION: My company has a customer that recently appeared on the Unverified List.  The customer was selling the products they purchased to a third party (Programs did not request an end-use/user certification for previous sales).  Now the third party wants to do business directly with us, and the customer (on the Unverified List) said that […]

QUESTION: I’ve seen a lot of emails regarding Routed Export Transactions the responsibilities related to the EEI filing.  It’s piqued my interest. It’s clear that 30.3(e) provides instructions for who files the EEI.  The FPPI authorizes an agent or the USPPI to file, it does not mandate them. The questions I never thought of until […]

QUESTION: Vendor in Italy contracts with a warehouse in the US to “warehouse” our cargo until we wish to purchase it. We assumed they would clearing through Customs and it would be a domestic sale to us Instead, we are told that our cargo is in a container with another of their clients cargo, and […]

QUESTION: Does anyone have an “after integration” plan for  customs compliance. We recently acquired another company, we already completed the due diligence checklist and now I am looking to see if anyone has an “after acquisition” playbook they wouldn’t mind sharing? ========== Answers: Don’t know what your initial due diligence process is like so not […]

QUESTION: Is there an exclusion request and objections similar to the Steel and Aluminum we can apply for, for items on the 818 tariff?  (specifically for motors) ========== Answers: Not yet, but it has been promised to be set up ========== There will be, as mentioned in the final determination, but it’s not published yet. […]

QUESTION: Does a  Duty Free Shop have to receive cargo from a bonded warehouse regardless of types of products or is this limited to only liquor/tobacco/firearms? ================= ANSWER: A “duty free shop” or “duty free stores” are a “Class 9” bonded warehouse. Reference 19 CFR §§19.35 – 19.39. The types of duty free merchandise eligible […]

QUESTION: If we find out one of our foreign distributors has been selling products to Syria, even if it is not our products, what obligations do we have now?  They have been advised they cannot sell our products to Syria, but do we have to stop selling to them if they are only selling other […]

QUESTION: Is anyone aware of delays in clearance of courier shipments into Saudi Arabia.  What is the issue? Is it specific to one port?  Is there an end in sight?  What are the alternatives to facilitating and expediting clearance of courier shipments into Saudi Arabia? ============================ ANSWER: No specific issues, but you must follow to […]

QUESTION: So we purchase material (ex-works) from another company. We are the Customer.  another company ships us the purchased material. However, they refuse to put the foreign ship from address on the commercial invoice.  The product in turn gets stopped by our broker because there is no ship from address listed. We have been going […]