Current TONS News

Click to View Past Newsletters


August 8, 2011

Next Customs Broker Exam is Monday, October 3, 2011

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs, CBP) has posted a notice to its website announcing the October 2011 Customs Broker License Examination. Customs stated that the exam will be held on Monday, October 3, 2011 at various locations throughout the United States. Applications to take the exam are due on or before Friday, September 2, 2011.

An "Application for Customs Broker License Exam" (CBP 3124E) and an exam application fee of $200 must be received and accepted by Customs at the port in which the applicant intends to conduct business by the application deadline. A copy of the form can be secured at local Customs ports. Customs has also made the CBP 3124E available on-line via a link located on the exam notice page.

The Customs Broker Examination will last four hours and will consist of 80 multiple-choice questions, Customs stated. A computed score of 75 percent is required to pass.

According to the notice, "Exam topics typically include: Entry, Classification, Country of Origin, Trade Agreements, Antidumping/Countervailing Duty, Value, Broker Responsibilities, FP&F, Protests, Marking, Prohibited and Restricted Merchandise, Drawback, Intellectual Property Rights, and other subjects pertinent to a broker's duties."

Customs stated that the April 2011 examination was written using the following references:
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2011 version)
- Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (revised as of April 1, 2009) (Parts 0 - 140, 141 to 199)
- Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) (certain specified sections)
- Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (8-30-2005)
- Several Customs directives that are detailed in the announcement

Applicants must provide their own reference materials and, per Customs, "use of any versions of the listed references other than those recommended is at the applicant's own risk."

Customs also advised "Examinee may use any written reference material; however, electronic reference material (i.e., laptops, PDAs, etc) are precluded," Customs added.

If an applicant achieves a passing score and wishes to apply to become a licensed Customs broker, a separate license application fee of $200 and an "Application for Customs Broker License" (CBP 3124) will be required. Applicants must be 21 years of age and a United States citizen at the time of the filing of the license application.


The exam notice and other Broker Exam information is located on Customs' web site at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/broker/broker_exam/notice_of_exam.xml


FDA Requests Comments on FSMA User Fee Burden to Small Business

In a Federal Register notice published August 1, 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested public comments regarding FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) user fees and their burden on small businesses.

As explained in the notice, the FSMA provides the FDA with the authority "to assess and collect user fees, including those for costs associated with certain domestic and foreign facility reinspections, failure to comply with a recall order, and importer reinspections. The Agency is seeking public comment on what burdens these fees impose on small business, and whether and how the Agency should alleviate such burdens."

Specifically, the FDA is requesting comments on the following:
- How small business should be defined or recognized
- Whether a reduction or fees or other consideration for small business is appropriate
- What factors the FDA should consider in determining such fees or considerations

Comments will be accepted until October 17, 2011.

The text of the Federal Register notice can be accessed online at:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-01/pdf/2011-19333.pdf

 

Softwood Lumber Program Assessments to Begin 2012

In a Federal Register notice released August 2, 2011 the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule establishing a Softwood Lumber Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order. As reported in a previous newsflash, the program will be funded in-part by assessments on imports of softwood lumber which, according to the notice, will begin January 1, 2012.

The initial assessment rate will be $0.35 per thousand board feet and will be required on both domestic shipments and imports of softwood lumber classified in chapter 44 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTSUS). Assessments on imports will be collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the time of entry.

The following exceptions apply:
- Assessments are not owed on the first 15 million board feet per fiscal year. Importers will receive a refund from the Board for any such assessments collected by Customs;
- Manufacturers/suppliers who domestically ship or import less than 15 million board feet per fiscal year can request a certificate of exemption from the Board, valid for one year;
- Exported softwood lumber is exempt from all assessments;
- 100 percent organic softwood lumber under an approved National Organic Program is also exempt.


The Federal Register notice can be accessed online at:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-02/pdf/2011-19491.pdf

 

 

Tons News, for current and past issues of Tons News by E-mail request from tonsnews@tonslogistics.com  or call (310) 338-0337.

________________________________________

Tons News is compiled from a number of public sources that, to the best of Tons knowledge, are true and correct. It is our intent to present only accurate information. However, in the event any information contained herein is erroneous, Tons accepts no liability or responsibility.