CBP Commissioner Bersin Tenders Resignation Effective December 30

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Alan Bersin has announced his resignation effective December 30. Deputy Commissioner David V. Aguilar is slated to serve as Acting Commissioner.

In a statement announcing his resignation, Bersin said he was grateful for the chance to lead CBP.

"My service as commissioner has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my public life," Bersin said Thursday. "I am immensely proud of the significant and meaningful achievements we have made on our borders and at our nation's ports of entry over nearly two years."

Bersin's recess appointment term expires Dec. 31.

Will YOUR Tariff be Changed in the 2012 Update??

One way to find out!

CSMS #11-000317, dated December 21, 2011, advises brokers that the 2011/2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) will contain many changes. 

Specifically, the notice states:

To: Automated Broker Interface

Harmonized System Update (HSU) 1108 was created on December 20, 2011 and contains 577 ABI
records and 118 harmonized tariff records.

Changes were made as a result of the 484 (F) Committee. The Committee for the Statistical Annotation of the Tariff Schedules mandated modifications effective January 1, 2012.

As always, these changes will be included in the 2012 USHTS. However, at this time, please contact your client representative for questions regarding specific records.

Adjustments required by the verification of the 2011 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) were made as well.

The modified records are currently available to all ABI participants and can be retrieved electronically via the procedures indicated in the CATAIR. For further information about this process, please contact your client representative. For all other questions regarding this message, please contact Jennifer Keeling via email at Jennifer.Keeling@dhs.gov.

The prelimary 2012 HTSUS is out!  Time to check your tariffs for the new year.

Did your tariff change?

NEW CBP Technology To Increase Efficiencies at Port Miami

NEWS BLAST! 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is set to launch Enforcement Link to Mobile Operations (ELMOcargo) at the Port of Miami. This technology will allow CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists to release inspected cargo in real-time.

Currently, CBP Officers and Agriculture Specialists conduct inspections on site, but the subsequent release of cargo is delayed until field personnel return to the office and enter inspection results into their data systems.

With the implementation of ELMOcargo, field officers using handheld devices will be able to immediately clear containers. This device speeds up release time by up to four hours making operations more efficient while continuing to keep the Port secure.

CBP Agriculture Specialist recently started using this new technology as a pilot at other Florida ports and agreed to expand the program to Port Miami starting in January 2012.

About the Port of Miami
The Port of Miami is among America's busiest ports and recognized across the globe with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. The Port of Miami contributes more than $18 billion annually to the South Florida economy and helps provide direct and indirect employment for more than 180,000.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Andria C. Muñiz
305-347-4962
amuniz@miamidade.gov