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Us Customs Service News

30 Sep 2022

Foreign Tanker Delivers US Fuel to Puerto Rico Following Jones Act Waiver

A ship carrying a cargo of diesel fuel initially barred from hurricane-hit Puerto Rico anchored at the island's Guayanilla port on Friday to unload under a Biden administration waiver, the Refinitiv Eikon vessel tracking service showed.The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker GH Parks, which loaded in Texas this month, was stopped from discharging four days ago by the Jones Act, a maritime law that requires goods moved between U.S. ports to be carried by U.S.-flagged ships.BP Plc, which chartered the vessel, said it submitted a waiver request with the U.S. customs service on Sept. 20 to allow for the diesel to be diverted from its original destination to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief efforts.GH Parks was carrying about 308…

28 Mar 2017

Cabotage Rules Changes Proposed

Dennis Bryant

On January 18, 2017, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed in its Customs Bulletin & Decisions newsletter a significant change to the U.S. cabotage rules. For many years, use of non-coastwise-qualified vessels in the transportation of pipeline repair material; anodes; pipeline connectors; wellhead equipment, valves and valve guards; damaged pipeline; platform repair material; and similar items from a U.S. point to another point within U.S. waters and/or those on the outer continental shelf has been ruled by CBP (and its predecessor U.S. Customs Service) as consistent with U.S.

18 Feb 2014

DSIC Appoints Ahern to Advisory Board

Jayson P. Ahern

Decision Sciences International Corporation (DSIC), an advanced technology provider of security and detection systems, today announced that The Honorable Jayson P. Ahern, former Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs & Border Protection, was appointed to the company's Advisory Board, effective immediately. Ahern, is a Principal with The Chertoff Group, providing strategic consulting services on homeland and border security management and global commerce and supply chain matters. In 2010, Ahern retired after 33 years of federal service to both the U.S. Customs Service and U.S.

02 Oct 2013

Sequestration? What Sequestration?

Smaller boatyards carve out a profitable niche in this challenging, yet target rich maritime environment. For Kvichak and USMI; so far, so good. The May edition of MarineNews brought analysis of possible downstream consequences of the U.S. federal government’s ongoing austerity measures, especially where it could impact U.S. boatbuilders with backlogs tied to government funding. Susan Buchanan’s “Budget Battles Bumping Backlogs” piece brought out the good, bad and potentially ugly realities of the new normal in Washington, DC, where lawmakers tussle over spending priorities, while also leaving various casualties in their messy wake. The August announcement that the U.S.

26 Jun 2012

Industry Looks to RAMP Act to Meet Dredging Needs

hopper dredge McFarland dredging Southwest Pass in 2010.

Silt accumulation and dredging that's been postponed for years have prevented the full use of U.S. waterways and ports, maritime industry leaders said last month. Hundreds of U.S. ports and harbors are meant to be maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to foster navigation. But many of the country's channels are not kept at their authorized depths, and last year the backlog of needed dredging projects swelled. Meanwhile, just over half the fees charged to shippers through the federal Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are spent on maintenance and operations…

07 Jun 2011

Former Asst. U.S. Attorney Joins Fowler Rodriquez Valdes-Fauli

Photo courtesy Hess Marketing

Fowler Rodriquez Valdes-Fauli announced that former Assistant United States Attorney Peter Thomson has joined the firm as a partner and will lead the firm’s maritime criminal defense division. Mr. Thomson brings an outstanding set of credentials and an impeccable record spanning twenty-three years of service with the U.S. Department of Justice. In this era of heightened criminal enforcement and government scrutiny, corporate leaders and businesses need a counselor of Mr. Thomson’s…

07 Nov 2001

CIT Takes Issue With Customs' Duty Calculation in Dry-Docking Case

The vessel repair statute (Section 466 of the Tariff Act of 1930, 19 U.S.C. § 1466) requires the payment of a 50 percent ad valorem duty on the cost of foreign equipment purchased for, or expenses of repairs made to, U.S.-flag vessels in a foreign country. The purpose of the vessel repair statute is to protect U.S. shipyards and to discourage vessel operators from taking their vessels abroad for the purpose of obtaining less expensive foreign repairs. The U.S. Court of International Trade determined that "section 1466 expresses the legislative policy designed to provide maximum protection to American shipyards." Mount Washington Tanker Co. v. United States, 505 F. Supp. 209, 214 (1980), aff'd, 665 F.2d340 (C.C.P.A. 1981). The U.S.

20 Oct 2003

Trailer Bridge Accepted as a Partner into C-TPAT

Trailer Bridge, Inc. has been accepted as a certified member of the U.S. Customs Service's Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program. U.S. Customs Service granted the approval on October 6, 2003, following a detailed review of Trailer Bridge's Supply Chain Security Profile Questionnaire. C-TPAT is a joint initiative between government and business designed to protect the security of cargo entering the United States while improving the flow of trade. Through C-TPAT, the U.S. Customs Service is asking businesses to ensure the integrity of their security practices and communicate their security guidelines to their business partners throughout the supply chain.

26 Jan 2004

Hollings Secures $29.5 Million for Port

U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings announced today that he has secured a total of $29.5 million for port security efforts at the Port of Charleston as part of the fiscal year 2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill. The funding is directed to Charleston's Project Seahawk, the nation's first port security command and control center and a project Hollings helped create. The Omnibus spending measure, approved by the Senate Thursday, encompasses the 7 appropriations bills that have yet to be approved individually. The bill will now be sent to the president for his signature. "This Congress and this Administration have failed to provide the funding necessary to secure our ports, and I will not let their lack of foresight threaten security at our Port of Charleston," said Sen.

06 Apr 2004

Government Update: U.S. Manifest Presentation Requirements

By Dennis L. The United States, like all other nations, has required from its founding that manifests of imported cargo be filed with its Customs agency. Traditionally, the manifest was filed (or "presented") when the ship arrived in port. Official entry was not completed and cargo could not be unladed until the manifest was presented. This process was drastically reworked following the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The U.S. Customs Service, since reorganized into the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), demanded that the information be provided earlier and in greater detail. On October 31, 2002, Customs…

14 Dec 2001

As Concerns About Seaport Security Mount, the U.S. Government Reacts

"Maritime Domain Awareness" is the new watchword for the maritime community. The discovery of a well equipped, suspected Al-Qa'eda member in a cargo container in Italy was one of the recent stark lessons in the vulnerability of maritime transportation security. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard temporarily denied entry to the liquefied natural gas tanker Matthew to Boson for insufficient security and a crew member on another vessel who jumped ship in New Orleans was later found to have the telephone number of an Al-Qa'eda terrorist. Congress and the Executive branch are now turning their attention to improving seaport security in ways that could disrupt the movement of ships, freight, crews, and passengers and result in major operational changes for companies in the industry.

07 Dec 2001

Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism

The U.S. Customs Service issued a Notice stating that it has introduced the Trade Partnerships Against Terrorism (TPAT) initiative. The goal is to engage the trade community (including exporters, importers, and carriers) in a cooperative relationship to fight terrorism by exchanging anti-terrorism ideas, concepts, and information. Those in the business community should review their entire logistics chain and incorporate sound security principles to reduce their exposure to product and conveyance tampering. Failure to do so will necessitate Customs to classify the importer or carrier into an ‘unknown category’ resulting in higher scrutiny, increased reviews and audits, added examinations, requests for more information, and no guarantee of processing times. Source: Holland & Knight LLP

14 Dec 2001

Ports Urge Senate to Include Port Security Funding

On December 7, the Senate approved an emergency spending bill for homeland security as part of the Department of Defense FY'02 Appropriations bill. Although Senator Byrd (D-WVA) had to drop his additional funding for homeland security, $50 million for port security was included in the Senate-passed bill. An additional $50 million would be spent in FY '02 on Coast Guard ($12 million); Customs ($15 million), and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) ($23 million); $12 million of this would be for loan guarantees. House/Senate negotiations on the final bill are expected to take place soon. The House version does provide money for Customs and Coast Guard, but does not fund MARAD's programs. On Dec. 13, U.S.

11 Jan 2002

SISCO Impresses U.S. Senators

A U.S. Senate sub-committee offered positive feedback regarding a high-speed access control and accountability system developed by Security Identification Systems Corporation (SISCO). security. The Senator's remark was a reference to SISCO's A-PASS (Automated Personnel Assisted Security Screening), which is the latest, most sophisticated electronic access control system ever designed exclusively for the cruise industry. line passengers, guests and employees as they enter and exit a ship. "The A-PASS system promotes speed of passenger loading while giving the passengers a heightened sense of safety and security," said Zagami. The Senate Committee also heard expert testimony from the Interim Director of Port Everglades…

03 Jan 2002

L-3 Communications Acquires PerkinElmer's Detection Systems

L-3 Communications has agreed to acquire the Detection Systems business of PerkinElmer, for approximately $100 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2002 and is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and other customary conditions. Detection Systems is expected to be accretive to L-3's earnings in 2002. PerkinElmer's Detection Systems business offers X-ray screening for three major security applications: aviation systems for checked and oversized baggage, break bulk cargo and air freight; port and border applications including pallets, break bulk and air freight; and facility protection, such as parcels, mail and cargo.

01 Mar 2002

DOT Grants Program Will Provide Port Security Funding

U.S. ports will soon begin applying for $93.3 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to enhance seaport security. The new Port Security Grants program will be administered by the Maritime Association (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). “We’re very pleased that Congress recognized the tremendous need for Federal help at U.S. seaports and appropriated emergency funding for security enhancements,” said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities. “While the $93.3 million is a good initial investment, we anticipate that much more will be needed to protect America’s ports from terrorism and other Federal crimes. Seaports are vital to the nation’s economic growth and vitality.

21 Mar 2002

Ports Encouraged By Passage of Security Bill

U.S. port authorities are pleased about the passage of H.R. 3983, the “Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002,” by the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T & I) Committee on March 20. “We thank Chairman Don Young (R-AK) of the House T & I Committee, and Subcommittee Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, for their leadership on moving to address maritime security,” said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). “We are encouraged about the $225 million authorized for Federal grants to help ports enhance seaport security, and the local flexibility provided for vessels and facilities to address terrorism at America’s ports.

05 Apr 2002

DOT Grant Money Available for Security

U.S. ports will soon begin applying for $93.3 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to enhance seaport security. The new Port Security Grants program will be administered by the Maritime Association (MARAD) and the U.S. Coast Guard on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). "We're very pleased that Congress recognized the tremendous need for Federal help at U.S. seaports and appropriated emergency funding for security enhancements," said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities. "We commend DOT's extraordinary efforts to get this grant program up and running quickly." Ports need to submit grant applications electronically through MARAD's web site, www.portsecuritygrants.dottsa.net

25 Apr 2002

Carnival to Pay $18M for Oil Pollution

Carnival Corp. of Miami, Fla., which operates 40 cruise ships including those of the Carnival Cruise Lines, pleaded guilty on April 19 to falsification of oil record books on several of its ships. The company will pay $18 million in fines, $9 million of which will be used for a variety of environmental community service projects. Carnival was also ordered to implement and enforce a new corporation-wide environmental compliance program. The falsifications occurred on numerous occasions between 1996 and 2001, during which period employees ran fresh water past the sensors in the oil water separators of Carnival ships, generating false oil concentration readings. As a result, the sensors failed to activate a diversion valve which would have otherwise kept the contaminated water on board.

14 May 2002

Refunds of Harbor Maintenance Fees

The U.S. Customs Service issued a final rule establishing procedures for requesting refunds of export harbor maintenance fees. The procedure, which largely adopts the previous interim system, is intended to simplify the refund process by relieving exporters from certain documentary requirements and providing a 120-day period to allow exporters to seek additional refunds. The final rule comes into effect immediately. Source: HK Law

05 Jun 2002

Ports Applaud Increased Funding For Security

Increased funding for port security in H.R. 3983, the "Maritime Transportation Antiterrorism Act of 2002," was passed the House on June 4. The FY '02 supplemental appropriations bills, which the House has passed and the Senate may vote on this week, also include additional port security funds. "Greater resources are critical for continued improvements in security at our nation's ports," said Kurt J. Nagle, president of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA). "We applaud Congress for recognizing this need, and for its investment in helping to secure port facilities from terrorist attacks. H.R. 3983 authorizes $225 million for Federal grants to help ports enhance seaport security, and allows local flexibility to address terrorism at America's ports.

06 Jun 2002

Tests on New Technology To Secure Cargo Movement

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced the successful completion of a test of new technology that will help to secure cargo containers entering ports and border crossings throughout the United States. The test, carried out through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program, involved the use of electronic seals (E-Seals), a radio frequency device that transmits shipment information as it passes reader devices and indicates if a container has been compromised. “This new technology will help to enhance the security of our nation’s transportation system by enabling us to track cargo shipments into the United States,” Secretary Mineta said.

06 Jun 2002

Singapore Joins CSI

Robert Bonner, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, today announced that the government of Singapore has agreed to join the Container Security Initiative (CSI), marking first nation in Asia to sign up for CSI and is a key U.S. Customs initiative designed to prevent global sea cargo from being exploited by terrorists to inflict harm on America and other nations of the world. "I applaud the government of Singapore for joining the U.S. Customs Service Container Security Initiative. This important first agreement in Asia will provide a significant measure of security for Singapore and the United States. This accord will also provide a significant measure of security for the global trading system as a whole," said Commissioner Bonner. Launched by U.S.

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