The Census Bureau is nixing plans to update its Automated Export System early with a new proposed export filing requirement for certain U.S. Munitions List exports, CBP said in a May 10 CSMS message. Census last week said it planned to update the AESDirect web application May 9 with the new data element (see 2305040024) even though it had just proposed the electronic export filing requirement one day earlier and was still soliciting public comments on the change, which are due July 3 (see 2305020007).

The Census Bureau this week previewed its new response code to prepare Automated Export System users ahead of a potential electronic export filing requirement for certain U.S. Munitions List items.

NEW ORLEANS -- Although CBP launched a pilot program in January to accept certain electronic filings for used self-propelled vehicles exports (see 2212160021), some ports aren’t recognizing the pilot, said Donna Kavanaugh, compliance manager for A.N. Deringer. Speaking during the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America’s annual conference this week, Kavanaugh said exporters are encountering ports that either aren’t familiar with the pilot or “don't have a desire to participate.” She urged exporters to ask their ports to participate in the pilot and “share with them the links” to the pilot announcement.

The Census Bureau said April 21 it had deactivated its Automated Export System downtime policy after fixing issues affecting AES, which wasn’t operating for users April 20 (see 2304200063). Users should file all Electronic Export Information for shipments exported under the AES Downtime Policy, along with any new AES transactions, to receive an Internal Transaction Number. “Due to the high volume of shipments that are being processed at this time, please be patient in obtaining an AES response message,” Census said. “Do not submit shipments more than once.”

The Census Bureau reported April 20 that the Automated Export System wasn't "properly functioning for users." The agency said in an email that it was working with CBP "to determine the cause and resolution for the problem. Additional guidance will be provided if the issue persists."

The Census Bureau emailed tips March 20 on how to address the most frequent messages generated this month in the Automated Export System.

The Fish and Wildlife Service announced April 14 it will allow normal trade operations to resume with Mexico in species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, in line with a withdrawal of the trade suspension by CITES the previous day. “The CITES trade suspension with Mexico is withdrawn,” the FWS said. “The United States will resume normal trade operations with Mexico related to CITES species, effective immediately.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list nine fentanyl-related substances -- meta-fluorofentanyl, meta-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl, para-methoxyfuranyl fentanyl, 3-furanyl fentanyl, 2′,5′-dimethoxyfentanyl, isovaleryl fentanyl, ortho-fluorofuranyl fentanyl, alpha′-methyl butyryl fentanyl, and para-methylcyclopropyl fentanyl -- under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, it said in a notice published April 13. The four substances are already temporarily controlled under a 2018 order that has been most recently extended until the end of 2024. "If finalized, this action would make permanent the existing regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis, or possess), or propose to handle these nine specific controlled substances," DEA said. Comments are due by May 15.

The Drug Enforcement Administration is finalizing controls on 4-piperidone as a list I chemical under the Controlled Substances Act. The chemical is used in the manufacture of fentanyl, DEA said. The agency is not setting a threshold for domestic and international transactions for these chemicals, so “all transactions involving 4-piperidone, regardless of size, shall be regulated and are subject to control under the CSA," and "chemical mixtures containing 4-piperidone are not exempt from regulatory requirements at any concentration." The listing takes effect May 12.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule listing the bracted twistflower (Streptanthus bracteatus), a plant species from Texas, as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect May 11.