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Internet Purchases & Medication/Drugs
Just because an item can be purchased via the internet doesn't mean that it can be imported into the US. The following link discusses the procedures and pitfalls associated with importing goods purchased over the Internet from foreign sources:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/internet_purchases.xml
As this link explains, in virtually all instances, individual citizens are prohibited from importing prescription drugs into the United States.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/restricted/medication_drugs.xml
Solid Wood Packaging (SWP) Update
The following is a message sent from Mark Grzeszkowiak, Chief Agriculture Specialist, Chicago, to the local members of the industry:
In September 2004 the USDA amended its import wood packing regulations adopting the standard set by the United Nations (UN), Food and Agriculture (FAO), International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15. The effective date set was in September 2005. A three step phase in period followed. Enforcement phases have been in effect for pallets and crating since February 2006 and for dunnage since July 2006.
Please visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/priority_trade/agriculture/wpm/ or
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/index.shtml for more information.
Shipments with non-compliant wood packing must be re-exported. There are no provisions for destruction or treatment in the United States.
This can become an extremely expensive and time-consuming mitigation.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to accomplish the re-export because of TSA regulations restricting the use of passenger aircraft to move freight to "known shippers." As Europe moves into its enforcement of ISPM 15, it will also become increasingly difficult to have returning violative wood transit other countries.
The potential costs of receiving a shipment containing uncertified, or fraudulently certified wood packing are staggering and for some companies, too much to bare. Yet, violations continue to be discovered at alarming rates.
I have asked several importers that had uncertified or infested wood packing in their shipments why they have not built in guarantees into the purchase or shipping contracts that include of the use proper wood backing. Generally, they say that the manufacturer or shipper is unwilling to take on the liability at the prices negotiated. In other words, they are not willing to pay the extra expense to use treated and certified wood packing and they then left holding the bag when it is discovered. There are also some importers who are not aware of the requirement.
The consequences for importers are much too high not to take precautions. This is particularly true for just-in-time deliveries or custom orders that simply could not be replaced by air shipping enough to get by until the replacement load arrives...
Asian Longhorned Beetle, and Emerald Ash Borer are just two examples of timber pests that can be attributed to wood packing material. Sustained environmental pressure of timber pest introductions is likely to cause more outbreaks here in the United States. These outbreaks cost billions of dollars in damage, cost of eradication or control, and impact to local and export industries and the communities they help to support.
For more information on export certification of wood packing material produced in the United States, please visit the following links:
American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC)
http://www.alsc.org/WPM_summary_mod.htm
National Wood Pallet and Container Association
http://www.palletcentral.com/ExportTreatment/ExportTreatmentProg.asp
10 + 2 Status
It appears that CBP will not take any further action on 10+2 until they consult with Congress. Instead of the Ways and Means Committee sending a letter to CBP with a list of things to fix, there will be a series of meetings taking place between Congressional staff and CBP over the next several months in order to devise a program that is satisfactory to everyone on the Hill and the industry.
Exactly how 10+2 will be implemented is currently undecided. As to exactly when CBP will publish its final rule, it might be assumed that there is an unofficial deadline of December, since that is the deadline for the Bush Administration to finalize any outstanding rules before the next President comes into office.
GSP to expire at year's end
The Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program expires on December 31, 2008, and unless Congress renews the program, all benefits will cease as of January 1, 2009.
GSP's last extension was finalized approximately 10 days before it was scheduled to expire in 2006. In the past, it has been expired before it was renewed retroactively months later.
Let's hope that Congress acts timely.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the Compliance eNewsletter,
please contact Paul Codere from the Customs Brokerage Department. |
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