The shift in travelers' habits "has given rise to an ongoing evolution in the design and construction of travel goods," creating the need for further customs classification guidance, the Canada Border Services Agency said in Memorandum D10-15-29. The new memo, which was issued June 20, outlines the CBSA's "interpretative policy with respect to the tariff classification of suitcases, travelling bags, backpacks (rucksacks) and handbags of heading 42.02," it said. Chapter 42 covers "Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)" and heading 42.02 includes trunks, suitcases and briefcases.
India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade is raising minimum prices for imports of broken and whole cashews, it said in a notification issued June 12. For broken cashews of Indian tariff subheading 08013210, imports won’t be allowed if the CIF value is less than 680 rupees ($9.78) per kilogram, and for whole cashews of subheading 08013220, imports are prohibited unless the CIF value is above 720 rupees ($10.35) per kilogram, the notification said. Indian cashew growers said the move would put a stop to “dumping of cheap of low-quality nuts” from Africa and Southeast Asia, according to a report in The Hindu Business Line.
Canada updated the Customs Tariff with a list of subheadings covered by the final safeguards for steel goods, according to an order to amend the import control list published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. The country announced plans to impose final safeguards on steel plate and stainless rod in April (see 1904040051).
The Mexican Secretariat of Economy has announced a 90-day grace period for new requirements to submit proof of compliance with certain Mexican product standards at the time of entry, according to a circular issued by the Mexican Confederation of Customs Broker Associations that posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. Under regulations issued in October, imports subject to some Mexican standards will be denied entry into Mexico beginning June 3, 2019, if they are not accompanied by a certificate of compliance previously entered into an automated system by the third-party certifier (see 1904100076).
Brazil is temporarily lowering tariffs to zero percent on 315 capital goods and information and telecommunications technology goods under its Ex-Tarifario regime, according to a May 9 notice in the Brazilian Diario Oficial. The goods, classified in chapters 82, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 90 of the Brazilian tariff schedule, will remain duty free through Dec. 31, 2020, said the notice, which took effect May 13. The goods had been subject to tariff rates of 12 percent to 18 percent, according to a report in Brazilian news magazine Istoe. Brazil also established a tariff-rate quota allowing 6,000 tons of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate co-polymers classified under Brazilian subheading 3904.30.00 to enter at a 2 percent duty for a period of 12 months, with out-of-quota merchandise entering at the regular rate of 14 percent, according to an alert from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The Ex-Tarifario system allows for temporarily duty free treatment for capital and ICT goods not made in Brazil, in a manner similar to the U.S. Miscellaneous Tariff Bill.
Mexican customs will not enforce certificate of compliance requirements for imports of automobile safety belts at the time of entry into the country, said the Confederation of Mexican Customs Broker Associations in a May 15 bulletin. At this time, there are no accredited and approved certification bodies to evaluate conformity with Mexican standards for safety belts under Mexican tariff schedule subheading 8708.21.01, the bulletin said. The exemption will remain in place until one year after the policy was issued on May 2.
China plans to hit a wide range of goods from the U.S. with 10 percent tariffs in response to the Trump administration's increase in tariffs on Chinese goods (see 1905130002). Among the major items by value targeted by China on its 10 percent tariff list are food preparations in 2106.90.90, lasers other than laser diodes in 9013.20.00, and cast glass sheets in 7003.19.00. The tariffs are scheduled to take effect June 1.
China plans to hit a wide range of goods from the U.S. with 20 percent tariffs in response to the Trump administration's increase in tariffs on Chinese goods (see 1905130002) Among the major items by value targeted by the Chinese on its 20 percent tariff list are machines and mechanical appliances in 8479.89.99; parts of diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices in 8541.90.00; other optical instruments in 9031.49.90; and North American hardwood in 4403.99.60. The tariffs will take effect June 1.
China will raise tariff rates on 5,140 tariff lines of U.S. goods in response to the latest escalation in the trade war, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced May 13. The tariff increases mostly follow the lists China released last year in response to U.S. plans to add tariffs on $200 billion worth of goods from China (see 1905130002). The retaliatory tariffs were implemented last year at lower rates than were initially announced. China now plans to increase those retaliatory tariffs on June 1.
The Mexican Tax Administration Service issued a notice May 8 amending the country’s Foreign Trade Regulations. Changes include the addition and removal of tariff subheadings -- all involving textiles, apparel and footwear -- from several annexes that list goods subject to import permits, goods that are prohibited from transit, and goods that may be moved through certain ports, among other things, according to a Confederation of Mexican Customs Broker Associations (CAAAREM) circular posted by consultancy AJR Comercio Exterior. The notice also makes changes to requirements for Mexican customs brokers.