Examples of Unacceptable vs Acceptable Cargo Descriptions 19 CFR § 4.7a, 122.48a, 123.91, 123.92 and 128.21 require a precise, or specific, description of merchandise regardless of value. A precise cargo description is a description of an item that is clear and concise. The description should be in plain language and detailed enough to allow U.S. Customs to identify the size, shape and characteristics of the commodity. Only the cargo description should be included in the field of transmission. Superfluous information, not relevant to the commodity description e.g., personally identifiable information (PII), type of packaging, carrier disclaimers, etc., should not be transmitted in the commodity description field. The following list, provided by CBP, is a guide to acceptable and unacceptable descriptions. This list is not exhaustive and will continue to expand as unacceptable descriptions are identified and acceptable descriptions are further refined. Descriptions in the Acceptable column should be viewed only as examples of the items they actually describe and not as a list of specifically acceptable or restrictive terms. See the link for a chart showing acceptable and unacceptable item descriptions

As of May 7, 2024, aluminum extrusion products from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, and Vietnam have been determined by the ITA to qualify for anti-dumping duties. These duties may be retroactive should the ITA issue a determination at a later date. Further revisions, modifications, and clarifications are possible. Importers should carefully consider importing goods (including finished products) that include aluminum extrusions to avoid unintended duty liability. The AD liability may be as high as 365.19%

Ceramic tiles from India are under investigation as being sold at less than fair value in the U.S. It is further alleged that sellers are benefiting from countervailable subsidies. The average antidumping margins fall in the range of 406% to over 827%. The products covered by this investigation include, but are not limited to, ceramic flooring tile, wall tile, paving tile, hearth tile, porcelain tile, mosaic tile, flags, and finishing tile. All ceramic tiles are covered by the petition. Even if the ceramic tile undergoes minor processing in a third country prior to importation into the U.S. or in the U.S. after importation, it is covered by this petition. Ceramic tile involved can fall under many HTSUS codes headed by 6907 and may also enter under 6905 and 6914.

Importing organic products USDA AMS (Agricultural Marketing Service) will begin stronger enforcement of products labeled as “organic”. First phase implementation is scheduled to start on 03/19/2024. {National Organic Program} N.O.P. certificates will be required as part of the Customs/USDA entry documents. There are two types: 1. Operational (overseas vendors and authorized agents) 2. Importer Overseas vendors will need to provide a certificate from the organic integrity database. NOP import Certificates will have a 21 digit certificate number. USDA AMS will not hold shipments as they process through US Customs. All requests for proper documentation will come directly from USDA AMS. Customs Brokers will need to have the overseas vendor’s NOP certificate in their entry file to produce if requested. Importers will need to make sure that they are registered and be able to provide the import certificate if requested. For information and questions, please contact: Jennifer Tucker Ph.D. Deputy Administrator National Organic Program email: NOP.guidance@usda.gov Phone: (202) 720-3252

Bonds are required for a wide range of transactions and activities, and are the primary tool used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to safeguard U.S. revenue and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It is imperative that the trading public have the information needed to properly submit those bonds to CBP.

Manufacturers and processors must register their facilities with FDA and renew their registration every two years. FDA has the authority to suspend a facility’s registration if the agency determines that a cosmetic product manufactured or processed by the registered facility and distributed in the United States has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences or death to humans, and the agency has a reasonable belief that other products manufactured or processed by the facility may be similarly affected because of a failure that cannot be isolated to a product or products, or is sufficiently pervasive to raise concerns about other products manufactured in the facility. If a facility’s registration is suspended, it is a prohibited act to distribute or sell (or otherwise introduce or deliver into commerce) in the United States cosmetic products from the facility. Congress recently passed the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). This new US law requires most cosmetic manufacturers that export cosmetics to the US to register with FDA. Further, for each cosmetic product marketed in the US, the responsible person (which may be a US Company) must submit a cosmetic product listing to FDA. MoCRA has additional regulations for adverse event reporting, fragrances and allergens, as well as GMPs that will be required for companies selling cosmetics into the US in the coming years. As specialists in FDA regulations, Registrar Corp has created a FREE tool called the "MoCRA Wizard" to help Cosmetic Importers and Exporters know which (if any) of the new MoCRA Requirements applies to them. Feel free to forward the Free MoCRA Wizard link to your Importers and Exporters of Cosmetics: https://www.registrarcorp.com/resources/free-tools/mocra-wizard/form/

Please see the list of upcoming federal holidays for this year.