U.S. Congress - Text of H.R.6656 as Introduced in House Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012
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Donate NowH.R.6656 - Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012
To reauthorize customs trade facilitation and enforcement functions and programs, and for other purposes.
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HR 6656 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
2d SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
H. R. 6656CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
To reauthorize customs trade facilitation and enforcement functions and programs, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
December 13, 2012CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
December 13, 2012CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Mr. MCDERMOTT (for himself and Mr. LEVIN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
To reauthorize customs trade facilitation and enforcement functions and programs, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the ‘Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 2. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE I--CUSTOMS FACILITATION
Subtitle A--Functions Other Than Investigative Functions
Sec. 101. Establishment of Agency; Commissioner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 102. Officers and employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 103. Separate budget for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 104. Revolving fund.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 105. Advances in foreign countries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 106. Advances for enforcement of customs provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 107. Certification of reason for advance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 108. Payments in foreign countries; claims for reimbursement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 109. Customs administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 110. Designation of trade oversight personnel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 111. Consultation on trade and customs revenue functions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 112. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Investigative Functions
Sec. 121. Separate budget for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 122. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle C--Joint Strategic Plan
Sec. 131. Joint Strategic Plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE II--CUSTOMS FACILITATION, TRADE ENFORCEMENT, AND TRANSPARENCY
Subtitle A--Customs Facilitation and Transparency
Sec. 201. Consultations with respect to mutual recognition agreements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 202. Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 203. Automated Commercial Environment computer system.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 204. International Trade Data System.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Trade Enforcement
Chapter 1--Commercial Risk Assessment Targeting
Sec. 211. Commercial Targeting Division and National Targeting and Analysis Groups.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 212. Centers of Excellence and Expertise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 213. Report on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 214. Report on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 215. Report on effectiveness of trade enforcement activities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 216. Priorities and performance standards for Customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 217. Educational seminars to improve efforts to classify and appraise imported articles and to improve trade enforcement efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Chapter 2--Importer Requirements
Sec. 221. Importer of record program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 222. Customs broker identification of importers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 223. Establishment of ‘new importer’ program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 224. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 225. Certified importer program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Chapter 3--Import-Related Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
Sec. 231. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE III--PREVENTION OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERS
Subtitle A--Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws
Sec. 301. Prevention and investigation of evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 302. Application to Canada and Mexico.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Other Matters
Sec. 311. Definitions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 312. Allocation and training of personnel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 313. Regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 314. Annual report on prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 315. Government Accountability Office report on reliquidation authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 316. Addressing circumvention by new shippers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. Penalties for customs brokers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 402. De minimis value and entry under regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 403. Collection and remittance of certain Customs User Fees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 404. Drawback and refunds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 405. Amendments to chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE V--OTHER TRADE AGENCIES
Sec. 501. United States International Trade Commission.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Sec. 502. Office of the United States Trade Representative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) COMMERCIAL CUSTOMS OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE- The term ‘Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee’ means the Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 202 of this Act or any successor committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS- The term ‘commercial operations’, with respect to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, includes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) administering any customs revenue function delegated by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to section 412 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
(B) facilitating legitimate international trade, and enforcing the customs and trade laws of the United States to the extent of the authority of the Commissioner under such laws;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) coordinating all efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to facilitate legitimate international trade and to enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) coordinating, on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security, efforts among executive branch agencies to facilitate legitimate trade and to enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) representing the Department of Homeland Security in interagency fora addressing such efforts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) coordinating with the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to develop and implement the Joint Strategic Plan;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) coordinating, on behalf of the United States, efforts with foreign customs agencies to facilitate legitimate international trade and to enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States and of foreign countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) collecting, assessing, and disseminating information as appropriate and in accordance with law, regarding cargo destined for the United States, to ensure that such cargo complies with the customs and trade laws of the United States and to facilitate the legitimate international trade of such cargo;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(G) soliciting and considering on a regular basis input from the private sector, including the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and other entities affected by the efforts of the Federal Government to facilitate legitimate international trade and to enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States, with respect to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) the implementation of new or amended customs and trade laws of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) the development, implementation, or revision of policies or regulations administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(H) otherwise advising the Secretary of Homeland Security with respect to the development of policies associated with facilitating legitimate international trade and enforcing the customs and trade laws of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) CUSTOMS AND TRADE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES- The term ‘customs and trade laws of the United States’ includes the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) The Tariff Act of 1930.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) Section 249 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (
(C) Section 2 of the Act of March 4, 1923 (
(D) Section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
(E) Section 251 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (
(F) Section 1 of the Act of June 26, 1930 (
(G) The Foreign Trade Zones Act (
(H) Section 1 of the Act of March 2, 1911 (
(I) The Trade Act of 1974.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(J) The Trade Agreements Act of 1979.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(K) The North American Free Trade Area Implementation Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(L) The Uruguay Round Agreements Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(M) The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(N) The Andean Trade Preference Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(O) The African Growth and Opportunity Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(P) The Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
(Q) The Customs Enforcement Act of 1986 (
(R) The Customs and Trade Act of 1990 (
(S) The Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 (
(T) The Trade Act of 2002 (
(U) The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (
(V) The Act of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1263, chapter 566;
(W) Any other provision of law vesting customs revenue functions in the Secretary of the Treasury.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(X) Any other provision of law relating to customs facilitation or trade enforcement that is administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency on behalf of any Federal agency that is required to participate in the International Trade Data System established pursuant to section 411(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(Y) Any other provision of customs or trade law administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) CUSTOMS REVENUE FUNCTION- The term ‘customs revenue function’ has the meaning given that term in section 415 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
(5) IMPORTER- The term ‘importer’ means one of the parties qualifying as an importer of record under section 484(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(6) NONRESIDENT IMPORTER- The term ‘nonresident importer’ means an importer who is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) a partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity that is not organized under the laws of a jurisdiction within the customs territory of the United States (as such term is defined in General Note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) or in the Virgin Islands of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN- The term ‘Joint Strategic Plan’ means the plan required by section 131 of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) TRADE SUPPORT NETWORK- The term ‘Trade Support Network’ means representatives of the private sector that provide input on the design and development of modernization projects of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE I--CUSTOMS FACILITATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE I--CUSTOMS FACILITATIONCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Functions Other Than Investigative FunctionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Functions Other Than Investigative FunctionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF AGENCY; COMMISSIONER.
(a) In General- The first section of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘SEC. 1. ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENCY; COMMISSIONER.
‘(a) Establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency- There is established in the Department of Homeland Security the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Establishment of Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection- The head of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency shall be a Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (in this Act referred to as the ‘Commissioner’), who shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) carry out the duties described in subsection (c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(c) Duties-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) carry out the duties and powers prescribed by law or by the Secretary of Homeland Security;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) direct the administration of the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) otherwise safeguard the economic and homeland security interests of the United States at land borders and ports of entry.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection, the terms ‘commercial operations’ and ‘customs and trade laws of the United States’ have the meanings given such terms in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(d) Absence or Disability of Commissioner- The Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, appointed pursuant to section 2, shall act as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection during the absence or disability of the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or in the event that there is no Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Administrative Continuity-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
19 U.S.C. 2073 ), is amended by striking section 3 and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘SEC. 3. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS, ASSETS, LIABILITIES, AND DUTIES.
‘(a) In General- Effective on the date of the enactment of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012, the functions and associated personnel, assets, and liabilities, identified under section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
6 U.S.C. 211 ) on the day before such date of enactment, are transferred to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(b) Continuation in Office- The individual serving as Commissioner of Customs, in the Department of Homeland Security, on the day before the date of the enactment of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012 may serve as the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency until the earlier of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) the date on which such individual is no longer eligible to serve as Commissioner of Customs; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) the date on which a person nominated by the President to be the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is confirmed by the Senate.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) REPEAL- Section 411 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
6 U.S.C. 211 ), and the item relating to that section in the table of contents for that Act, are repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink(c) Reference- On and after the effective date of this Act, any reference in law or regulations to the ‘Commissioner of Customs’ or the ‘Commissioner of the Customs Service’ shall be deemed to be a reference to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection established pursuant to section 1 of the Act of March 3, 1927, as amended by subsection (a) of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Compensation-
Section 5314 of title 5, United States Code , is amended by striking ‘Commissioner of Customs, Department of Homeland Security’ and inserting ‘Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 102. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
(a) Deputy Commissioner- Section 2 of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘(a) Deputy Commissioner-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- There shall be in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency established by the first section, 1 Deputy Commissioner who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS- A person appointed to be the Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the operation of the customs and trade laws of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) DUTIES- The duties of the Deputy Commissioner shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) overseeing the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, including the operations of the Office of International Trade and all other offices of the Agency whose duties primarily relate to the commercial operations of the Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) resolving issues relating to the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, including liaising between offices primarily charged with carrying out the commercial operations of the Agency and any operational or port level office, including the Office of Field Operations or any successor office, in the administration of duties relating to the commercial operations of the Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) overseeing the development and implementation information technology, research, and communication functions of the U.S. Border and Protection Agency that affect the commercial operations of the Agency, including modernization strategies, that support the commercial operations of the Agency, including the implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(5) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(5) );CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(D) overseeing the customs revenue functions of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency in consultation, as appropriate, with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy of the Department of the Treasury or any successor position;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(E) overseeing the administration of customs revenue functions of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(F) consulting with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives on a regular and timely basis regarding the administration of the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) the status and substance of international negotiations relating to the customs and trade laws of the United States, or of foreign countries, in which personnel of the Agency are participating;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) the resource needs of the Agency in relation to the commercial operations of the Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) any proposed changes to policy, regulations, interpretations, or practices that relate to commercial operations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) any legislative proposals that the Agency or the Department of Homeland Security provides to other committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives or individual members of such committees that relate to the commercial operations of the Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(v) the implementation of new or amended customs and trade laws of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) ABSENCE OR DISABILITY OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER- The Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade shall act as the Deputy Commissioner during the disability of the Deputy Commissioner, or in the event that there is no Deputy Commissioner.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Trade Advocate- Section 2 of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘(b) Trade Advocate-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall appoint within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, a Trade Advocate, who shall report directly to the Commissioner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) QUALIFICATIONS- A person appointed to be Trade Advocate shall have not less than 5 years experience working in international trade in the private sector.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) DUTIES- The Trade Advocate shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) serve as the primary liaison between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the public with respect to the Agency’s administration of customs facilitation and trade enforcement functions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) assist the Commissioner in resolving issues relating to the commercial operations of the Agency by effectively communicating the perspectives held by interested parties in the private sector, including domestic producers, and other private commercial interests;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) consult with interested parties in the private sector, including domestic producers, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, and the Trade Support Network, for their input with respect to the Agency’s--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) development and implementation of rules, regulations, decisions, and notices related to the customs and trade laws of the United States administered by the Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) development of the Joint Strategic Plan required under section 131 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) assessment of the effectiveness of customs facilitation and trade enforcement efforts; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) trade modernization activities, including the development and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(5) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(5) ) and support for the establishment of the International Trade Data System under the oversight of the Department of the Treasury pursuant to section 411(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1411(d) );CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(D) advise the Commissioner with respect to the consultations described in subparagraph (C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(E) otherwise consult with the public as directed by the Commissioner or by law.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Other Officers- Section 2 of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘(c) Other Officers- The Secretary of Homeland Security may appoint such other officers as are necessary to manage the individual offices within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency. Any appointment of personnel under this subsection shall be subject to the provisions of the civil service laws, and the salaries of such personnel shall be fixed in accordance with chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Office of International Trade- Section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘United States Customs and Border Protection’ and inserting ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘; ELIMINATION OF OFFICES’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) TRANSFER-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012, the Commissioner shall transfer to the Office of International Trade established pursuant to paragraph (1) the assets, functions (other than administrative functions), and personnel described in subclause (II) of the Office of Field Operations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) PERSONNEL DESCRIBED- The personnel of the Office of Field Operations referred to in subclause (I) are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) Personnel having the statutory authority to classify and appraise goods entering the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) Personnel having the responsibility to act as principal point of contact and technical experts with respect to goods entering the United States, including responsibilities relating to collection and deposit of duties, taxes, and fees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(cc) Such other personnel as the Commissioner determines to be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE- The assets, functions, and personnel transferred to the Office of International Trade pursuant to clause (i) shall be under the authority of the Assistant Commissioner in the Office of International Trade.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) TRAINING- Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012, the Commissioner shall ensure that sufficient training with respect to facilitating legitimate international trade and enforcing the customs and trade laws of the United States has been provided to personnel transferred to the Office of International Trade pursuant to clause (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) LIMITATION ON FUNDS- No funds appropriated to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency may be used to transfer the assets, functions, or personnel of the Office of Field Operations to an office other than the Office of International Trade.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by striking subparagraph (B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) through (F) as subparagraphs (B) through (E), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by subparagraph (D) of this paragraph, by striking ‘United States Customs and Border Protection’ and inserting ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by subparagraph (D) of this paragraph--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) by striking ‘United States Customs and Border Protection’ and inserting ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) by striking ‘subparagraph (E)(ii)’ and inserting ‘subparagraph (D)(ii)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Definitions- Section 2(f) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
19 U.S.C. 2072 ) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(f) Definitions- In this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) the term ‘Commissioner’ means the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) the terms ‘Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee’, ‘commercial operations’, ‘customs and trade laws of the United States’, and ‘Trade Support Network’ have the meaning given such terms in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(f) United States Trade Representative Review of Customs Regulations, Interpretations, and Practices- The Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
19 U.S.C. 2071 et seq.), is amended by inserting after section 3 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘SEC. 4. UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REVIEW OF CUSTOMS REGULATIONS, INTERPRETATIONS, AND PRACTICES.
‘(a) Referral- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall consult with the United States Representative with respect to any proposed change to a regulation, interpretation, or practice of the Agency relating to commercial operations of the Agency that implicates compliance by the United States Government with its international trade obligations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Definition- In this section, the term ‘commercial operations’ has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(g) Compensation-
Section 5315 of title 5, United States Code , is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 103. SEPARATE BUDGET FOR U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENCY.
(a) In General- The President shall include in each budget transmitted to Congress under
(b) Repeal- Section 414 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
SEC. 104. REVOLVING FUND.
The matter under the heading ‘REVOLVING FUND, BUREAU OF CUSTOMS’ in the Treasury and Post Office Departments Appropriation Act, 1950 (63 Stat. 360, chapter 286;
SEC. 105. ADVANCES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
The matter under the heading ‘BUREAU OF CUSTOMS’ in title I of the Treasury Department Appropriation Act 1940 (53 Stat. 660, chapter 115;
SEC. 106. ADVANCES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF CUSTOMS PROVISIONS.
Section 2 of the Act entitled ‘An Act to provide for advances of funds by special disbursing agents in connection with the enforcement of Acts relating to narcotic drugs’, approved March 28, 1928 (
‘SEC. 2. ADVANCES FOR ENFORCEMENT OF CUSTOMS PROVISIONS.
‘The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the approval of the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury, are each authorized to direct the advance of funds by the Fiscal Service in the Department of the Treasury, in connection with the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States (as defined in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 107. CERTIFICATION OF REASON FOR ADVANCE.
Section 3 of the Act of March 28, 1928 (
SEC. 108. PAYMENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES; CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
Section 4 of the Act of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1263, chapter 566;
‘SEC. 4. PAYMENTS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES; CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
‘The provisions of this Act shall not affect payments made for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in foreign countries, or the right of any officer or employee of such Agencies to claim reimbursement for personal funds expended in connection with the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States (as defined in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 109. CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION.
Section 113 of the Customs and Trade Act of 1990 (
‘SEC. 113. CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION.
‘(a) In General- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement each shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) develop and implement accounting systems that accurately determine and report the allocation of the personnel and other resources of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement among the various operational functions of each Agency, including merchandise processing and customs and trade law enforcement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) for fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, develop and implement labor distribution surveys of major workforce activities within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to determine the cost of the various operational functions of each Agency and the extent to which the costs of one Agency are covered by the other Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Survey Reports- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall each, not later than December 31, 2013, and December 31 of each subsequent calendar year, submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the surveys implemented under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) for the preceding fiscal year.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 110. DESIGNATION OF TRADE OVERSIGHT PERSONNEL.
Subsection (c) of section 412 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (
‘(c) Designation of Trade Oversight Personnel- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012, the Secretary of the Treasury shall designate and dedicate not less than 5 full-time equivalent personnel to work exclusively with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy in the performance and oversight of customs revenue functions.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 111. CONSULTATION ON TRADE AND CUSTOMS REVENUE FUNCTIONS.
Section 401(c) of the Safety and Accountability for Every Port Act (
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘on Department policies and actions that have’ and inserting ‘not later than 30 days after proposing, and not later than 30 days before finalizing, any Department policies, initiatives, or actions that will have’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘not later than 30 days prior to the finalization of’ and inserting ‘not later than 60 days before proposing, and not later than 60 days before finalizing,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 112. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General- Section 301 of the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 (
(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) by striking ‘October 1, 1979’ and inserting ‘October 1, 2012’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) by striking ‘Department of the Treasury for the United States Customs Service’ and inserting ‘Department of Homeland Security for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) REQUIREMENT FOR AUTHORIZATION- The authorization of the appropriations for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2012 shall specify the amount authorized for the fiscal year for the salaries and expenses of the Agency in conducting commercial operations.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by striking paragraph (3);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking subsections (b), (c), and (d) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Authorization of Appropriations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated for the salaries and expenses of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency that are incurred in commercial operations--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) not less than $1,800,000,000 for fiscal year 2013;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) not less than $1,817,000,000 for fiscal year 2014; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) not less than $1,830,000,000 for fiscal year 2015.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) CUSTOMS USER FEE ACCOUNT- The monies authorized to be appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, except for such sums as may be necessary for the salaries and expenses of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency that are incurred in connection with the processing of merchandise that is exempt from the fees imposed pursuant to section 13031(a) (9) and (10) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
19 U.S.C. 58c(a) (9) and (10)), shall be appropriated from the Customs User Fee Account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(c) Mandatory 10-Day Deferment- No part of the funds appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year may be used to provide less time for the collection of estimated duties than the 10-day deferment procedure in effect on January 1, 1981.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(d) Overtime Pay Limitations; Waiver- No part of the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) for any fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses to pay any customs officer overtime pay in an amount exceeding $35,000 unless the Secretary of Homeland Security determines on an individual basis that payment of overtime pay to such officer in an amount exceeding $35,000 is necessary for national security purposes, to prevent excessive costs, or to meet emergency requirements of the Agency.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) in subsection (e)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking ‘October 1, 1982’ and inserting ‘October 1, 2012’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking ‘Department of the Treasury for salaries of the United States Customs Service’ and inserting ‘Department of Homeland Security for salaries of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by striking ‘to reflect’ and all that follows and inserting ‘to reflect any adjustment in rates of basic pay made in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(f) Use of Savings Resulting From Administrative Consolidations- If savings in salaries and expenses result from the consolidation of administrative functions within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall apply the savings, to the extent the savings are not needed to meet emergency requirements of the Agency, to strengthening the commercial operations of the Agency by increasing the number of personnel dedicated to administering such commercial operations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(g) Allocation of Resources; Report to Congressional Committees- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall notify the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives at least 180 days prior to taking any action that would--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) result in any significant reduction in force of employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency other than by means of attrition;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) result in any significant reduction in hours of operation or services rendered at any office of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or any United States port of entry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) eliminate or relocate any office of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) eliminate any United States port of entry; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) significantly reduce the number of employees assigned to any office or any function of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) Definition- In this section, the term ‘commercial operations’ has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Resource Optimization Model- Subsection (h) of section 301 of the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 is amended by striking ‘Resource Allocation Model’ each place it appears in the text and in the heading and inserting ‘Resource Optimization Model’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Conforming Amendment- Subsection (c) of section 5 of the Act of February 13, 1911 (
‘(c) Limitations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) FISCAL YEAR CAP- The aggregate of overtime pay under subsection (a) of this section (including commuting compensation under subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section) and premium pay under subsection (b) of this section that a customs officer may be paid in any fiscal year may not exceed $35,000 unless the Secretary of Homeland Security determines on an individual basis that payment of overtime pay to such officer in an amount exceeding $35,000 is necessary for national security purposes, to prevent excessive costs, or to meet emergency requirements of the Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) EXCLUSIVITY OF PAY UNDER THIS SECTION- A customs officer who receives overtime pay under subsection (a) of this section, or premium pay under subsection (b) of this section for time worked, may not receive pay or other compensation for that work under any other provision of law.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Investigative FunctionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Investigative FunctionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 121. SEPARATE BUDGET FOR U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.
The President shall include in each budget transmitted to Congress under
SEC. 122. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Title III of the Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 (
‘SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR CERTAIN CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
‘(a) In General-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) FISCAL YEARS BEGINNING ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2012- For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, there are authorized to be appropriated to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security for the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States only such sums as may be authorized by law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) SPECIFICATION OF AMOUNTS- The authorization of the appropriations for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2012 shall specify the amount authorized for the fiscal year for the salaries and expenses of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated for the salaries and expenses of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that are incurred in enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) not less than $86,000,000 for fiscal year 2013;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) not less than $88,150,000 for fiscal year 2014; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) not less than $90,200,000 for fiscal year 2015.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(c) Definition- In this section, the term ‘customs and trade laws of the United States’ has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle C--Joint Strategic PlanCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle C--Joint Strategic PlanCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 131. JOINT STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) In General- Not later than June 30, 2013, and every 2 years thereafter, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall jointly develop and submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, a Joint Strategic Plan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Contents- The Joint Strategic Plan required under this section shall be comprised of a comprehensive multi-year plan for enforcing the customs and trade laws of the United States and for facilitating the international trade of the United States, and shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) a summary of actions taken to date to better enforce the customs and trade laws of the United States and to better facilitate the international trade of the United States, including a description and analysis of specific performance measures to evaluate the progress of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in meeting each such responsibility;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) a statement of objectives and plans for further improving the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States and the facilitation of the international trade of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) a specific identification of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
(4) a description of efforts made to improve consultation and coordination among Federal departments and agencies, and in particular between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regarding the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States and the facilitation of the international trade of the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) a description of the training that has occurred to date within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve such enforcement and facilitation, including training under section 217 of this Act;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) a specific identification of any domestic or international best practices that may further improve such enforcement and facilitation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) any legislative recommendations to further improve such enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States or facilitation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Consultations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- In developing the Joint Strategic Plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall consult with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) appropriate officials from the relevant Federal departments and agencies, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) the Department of the Treasury;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) the Department of Agriculture;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iii) the Department of Commerce;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iv) the Department of Justice;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(v) the Department of the Interior;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(vi) the Department of Health and Human Services;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(vii) the Food and Drug Administration;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(viii) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ix) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (established in section 202 of this Act).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) OTHER CONSULTATIONS- In developing the Joint Strategic Plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall seek to consult with--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) appropriate officials from relevant foreign law enforcement agencies and international organizations, including the World Customs Organization; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) interested parties in the private sector, including domestic producers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE II--CUSTOMS FACILITATION, TRADE ENFORCEMENT, AND TRANSPARENCYCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE II--CUSTOMS FACILITATION, TRADE ENFORCEMENT, AND TRANSPARENCYCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Customs Facilitation and TransparencyCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Customs Facilitation and TransparencyCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 201. CONSULTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to any proposed Mutual Recognition Arrangement or similar agreement between the United States and a foreign government providing for mutual recognition of supply chain security programs and customs revenue functions, shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) consult, not later than 30 days before initiating negotiations to enter into any such agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) consult, not later than 30 days before entering into any such agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 202. COMMERCIAL CUSTOMS OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment- Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly establish a Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the ‘Advisory Committee’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Membership-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) 20 individuals appointed under paragraph (2);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy of the Department of the Treasury and the Assistant Secretary of Policy and Planning of the Department of Homeland Security, who shall jointly co-chair meetings of the Advisory Committee; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who shall serve as deputy co-chairs of meetings of the Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) APPOINTMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly appoint 20 individuals from the private sector to the Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) REQUIREMENTS- In making appointments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint members--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) to ensure that the membership of the Advisory Committee is representative of the individuals and firms affected by the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) to ensure that a majority of the individuals are not members of the same political party; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(iii) to ensure that domestic manufacturing parties are represented.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Duties- The Advisory Committee established under subsection (a) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters involving the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including advising with respect to significant changes that are proposed with respect to agency regulations, policies, or practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on improvements to the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) perform such other functions relating to the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as prescribed by law or as the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security jointly direct.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Meetings- The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Annual Report- Not later than December 31 of each calendar year, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) describes the activities of the Advisory Committee during the preceding fiscal year; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) sets forth any recommendations of the Advisory Committee regarding the commercial operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(f) Termination- Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(g) Conforming Amendment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- Effective on the date on which the Advisory Committee is established under subsection (a), section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (
(2) REFERENCE- Any reference in law to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the United States Customs Service established under section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (
SEC. 203. AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT COMPUTER SYSTEM.
(a) Funding- Section 13031(f)(5) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
(1) in subparagraph (A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking ‘2003, 2004, and 2005’ and inserting ‘2013, 2014, and 2015’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking ‘$350,000,000’ and inserting ‘$700,242,000’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subparagraph (B)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking ‘2003 through 2005’ and inserting ‘2013 through 2015’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking ‘such amounts as are available in that Account’ and inserting ‘not less than $138,794,000’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by striking ‘for the development’ and inserting ‘to complete the development’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Report- Section 311(b)(3) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002 (
‘(3) REPORT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than December 31, 2012, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report specifying--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) the plans of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and deadlines for incorporating all cargo release data elements into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system not later than September 30, 2015, to conform with the admissibility criteria of agencies participating in the International Trade Data System identified pursuant to section 411(d)(4)(A)(iii) of the Tariff Act of 1930;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) the Agency’s remaining priorities for incorporating entry summary data elements, cargo manifest data elements, cargo financial data elements, and export elements into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) the Agency’s objectives, plans, and deadlines for implementing the priorities identified under clause (ii) not later than September 30, 2015.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) UPDATE OF REPORTS- Not later than December 31, 2014, and September 30, 2015, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an updated report addressing each of the matters referred to in subparagraph (A).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Government Accountability Office Report- Not later than December 31, 2015, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) evaluating the cost and effectiveness of the efforts of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to complete the development, establishment, and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) assessing the extent to which any additional functionality may be added into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system at a reasonable cost; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) assessing the potential cost savings to the United States Government and importers and exporters and the potential benefits to enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States if the elements identified in clauses (i) and (ii) of section 311(b)(3)(A) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (b) of this section, are implemented.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 204. INTERNATIONAL TRADE DATA SYSTEM.
Section 411(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(F) PROHIBITION ON OTHER SYSTEMS FOR CARGO CLEARANCE- The Secretary shall ensure that each agency that participates in the ITDS use the ITDS to collect and distribute data and documentation for clearing or licensing the importation or exportation of cargo, including to authorize the release of cargo by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, and does not use any other system for such purposes.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE- The head of each Federal agency that requires documentation for clearing or licensing the importation and exportation of cargo shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) develop and maintain the necessary information technology infrastructure to support the operation of the ITDS;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) not later than March 31, 2013, enter into a memorandum of understanding, or take such other action as is necessary, to provide for the information sharing between the agency and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency necessary for the operation and maintenance of the ITDS; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) not later than March 31, 2013, identify and transmit to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection the admissibility criteria and data elements required by the agency to authorize the release of cargo by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for incorporation into the operational functionality of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system.’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by striking ‘each fiscal year’ and inserting ‘each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2013’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking ‘section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (
Subtitle B--Trade EnforcementCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Trade EnforcementCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
CHAPTER 1--COMMERCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT TARGETING
SEC. 211. COMMERCIAL TARGETING DIVISION AND NATIONAL TARGETING AND ANALYSIS GROUPS.
(a) In General- Section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘(3) COMMERCIAL TARGETING DIVISION AND NATIONAL TARGETING AND ANALYSIS GROUPS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL TARGETING DIVISION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade a Commercial Targeting Division.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) COMPOSITION- The Commercial Targeting Division shall be composed of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) headquarters personnel led by an Executive Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) individual National Targeting and Analysis Groups, each led by a Director who shall report to the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) DUTIES- The Commercial Targeting Division shall be dedicated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with subparagraph (C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) to issuing Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) NATIONAL TARGETING AND ANALYSIS GROUPS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- A National Targeting and Analysis Group referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) shall, at a minimum, be established for each priority trade issue described in clause (ii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) PRIORITY TRADE ISSUES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) IN GENERAL- The priority trade issues described in this clause are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) Agriculture programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) Antidumping and countervailing duties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(cc) Import safety.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(dd) Intellectual property rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ee) Penalties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ff) Revenue.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(gg) Textiles.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(hh) Trade agreements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) MODIFICATION- The Commissioner is authorized to establish new priority trade issues and eliminate, consolidate, or otherwise modify the priority trade issues described in this paragraph if the Commissioner--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) determines it necessary and appropriate to do so; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) submits to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a summary of the proposed changes to the priority trade issues not later than 60 days before such changes are to take effect.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) DUTIES- The duties of each National Targeting and Analysis Group shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency that relate to the Group’s priority trade issue;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant Federal departments and agencies regarding the Group’s priority trade issue; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(III) serving as the primary liaison between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the public regarding United States Government activities regarding the Group’s priority trade issue, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) providing for receipt and transmission to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency office of allegations from interested parties in the private sector of violations of customs and trade laws of the United States of merchandise relating to the priority trade issue;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) obtaining information from the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency office on the status of any activities resulting from the submission of any such allegation, including any decision not to pursue the allegation, and providing any such information to each interested party in the private sector that submitted the allegation every 90 days after the allegation was received by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(cc) notifying on a timely basis each interested party in the private sector that submitted such allegation of any civil or criminal actions taken by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or other Federal department or agency resulting from the allegation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) COMMERCIAL RISK ASSESSMENT TARGETING- In carrying out its duties with respect to commercial risk assessment targeting, the Commercial Targeting Division shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may violate the customs and trade laws of the United States, particularly those laws applicable to merchandise subject to the priority trade issues described in subparagraph (B)(ii); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, and the Treasury Enforcement Communications System, and any successor systems, to administer the methodologies and standards established under clause (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(D) TRADE ALERTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) ISSUANCE- Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under subparagraph (C), the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division and the Directors of the National Targeting and Analysis Groups may issue Trade Alerts to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, or physical examination or testing, of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) DETERMINATIONS NOT TO IMPLEMENT TRADE ALERTS- The director of a United States port of entry may determine not to conduct further inspections, or physical examination or testing, pursuant to a Trade Alert issued under clause (i) if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) the director finds that such a determination is justified by port security interests; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) notifies the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency of the determination and the reasons for the determination not later than 48 hours after making the determination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) SUMMARY OF DETERMINATIONS NOT TO IMPLEMENT- The Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) compile an annual public summary of all determinations by directors of United States ports of entry under clause (ii) and the reasons for those determinations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) submit the summary to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives not later than December 31 of each year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) INSPECTION DEFINED- In this subparagraph, the term ‘inspection’ means the comprehensive evaluation process used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, other than physical examination or testing, to permit the entry of merchandise into the United States, or the clearance of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States, for purposes of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) assessing duties;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) identifying restricted or prohibited items; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(III) ensuring compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by the Agency.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Use of Trade Data for Commercial Enforcement Purposes- Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002 (
19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (2), by inserting ‘and to carry out commercial risk assessment targeting (as described in 2(d)(3)(C) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ))’ after ‘to ensure cargo safety and security’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink(2) in paragraph(3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking subparagraph (F); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) through (L) as subparagraphs (F) through (K).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 212. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AND EXPERTISE.
Section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
‘(4) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE AND EXPERTISE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade Centers of Excellence and Expertise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) COMPOSITION- Each Center of Excellence and Expertise shall be composed of headquarters and field personnel of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency led by an Executive Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) DUTIES- Each Center of Excellence and Expertise shall be dedicated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) to facilitating legitimate trade through increasing specific industry knowledge and uniformity of cargo clearance procedures;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) to improving enforcement efforts of priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) in specific industry sectors through application of targeting information from the Commercial Targeting Division established under paragraph (3)(A) and from other means of verifications;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) to developing and implementing measurable benefits to the trade community;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) to fostering partnerships though the expansion of trade programs such as Importer Self Assessment program and other trusted partner programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(v) to developing applicable performance measurements to meet internal efficiency and effectiveness goals; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(vi) to increasing the accuracy and completeness of international trade data and facilitate a more efficient flow of information between Federal departments and agencies.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 213. REPORT ON OVERSIGHT OF REVENUE PROTECTION AND ENFORCEMENT MEASURES.
(a) Contents of Report- The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall, at the times specified in subsection (b), submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report assessing the following, with respect to the 2 fiscal year period to which the report applies:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) The effectiveness of the measures taken by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency with respect to revenue protection, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) the collection of countervailing and antidumping duties;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) the assessment and collection of commercial fines and penalties; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) the adequacy of the policies of the Agency with respect to monitoring and tracking of merchandise transported in bond and collecting duties, as appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) The effectiveness of actions taken by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to measure accountability and performance with respect to revenue protection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) The number and outcome of investigations instituted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency with respect to the underpayment of duties.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) The adequacy of training with respect to the collection of duties provided for personnel of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Timing of Report- The report under subsection (a) shall be submitted not later than March 31, 2014, and not later than March 31 of each second year thereafter, with respect to the 2 fiscal year period ending on September 30 of the preceding calendar year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 214. REPORT ON SECURITY AND REVENUE MEASURES WITH RESPECT TO MERCHANDISE TRANSPORTED IN BOND.
(a) In General- Not later than December 31 of 2013, 2014, and 2015 the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on efforts undertaken by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to ensure the secure transportation of merchandise in bond through the United States and the collection of revenue owed upon the entry of such merchandise into the United States for consumption.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Contents- The report required by subsection (a) shall include information, for the fiscal year preceding the submission of the report, on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) the overall number of entries of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) the ports at which merchandise arrives in the United States for transportation in bond and at which records of the arrival of such merchandise are generated;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) the average time taken to reconcile such records with the records at the final destination of the merchandise in the United States to demonstrate that the merchandise reaches its final destination or is re-exported;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) the average time taken to transport merchandise in bond from the port at which the merchandise arrives in the United States to its final destination in the United States;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) the total amount of duties, taxes, and fees owed with respect to shipments of merchandise transported in bond and the total amount of such duties, taxes, and fees paid;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) the total number of notifications by carriers of merchandise being transported in bond that the destination of the merchandise has changed; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) the number of entries that remain unreconciled.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 215. REPORT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF TRADE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) In General- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of trade enforcement activities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Contents- The report shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) a description of the use of resources, results of audits and verifications, targeting, organization, and training of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) a description of trade enforcement activities to address undervaluation, transshipment, legitimacy of entities making entry, protection of revenues, fraud prevention and detection, and penalties, including intentional misclassification, inadequate bonding, and other misrepresentations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 216. PRIORITIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION, TRADE FACILITATION, AND TRADE ENFORCEMENT FUNCTIONS AND PROGRAMS.
(a) Priorities and Performance Standards-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in consultation with the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate, shall establish priorities and performance standards to measure the development and levels of achievement of the Customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) MINIMUM PRIORITIES AND STANDARDS- Such priorities and performance standards shall, at a minimum, include priorities and standards relating to efficiency, outcome, output, and other types of applicable measures.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Functions and Programs Described- The functions and programs referred to in subsection (a) are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) The Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(5) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
(2) Each of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
(3) The Centers of Excellence and Expertise described in section 212(c) of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) Drawback for exported merchandise under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(5) Transactions relating to imported merchandise in bond.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(7) The expedited clearance of cargo.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) The issuance of regulations and rulings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(9) The issuance of Regulatory Audit Reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Submission to Congress-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a description of the priorities and performance standards referred to in subsection (a) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) PROPOSED CHANGES- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the congressional committees referred to in paragraph (1) a description of any changes to the priorities and performance standards referred to in subsection (a) not later than 30 days before such changes are to take effect.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Report- Not later than December 31, 2013, and December 31 of each year thereafter, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a report on the implementation of this section for the previous fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 217. EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS TO IMPROVE EFFORTS TO CLASSIFY AND APPRAISE IMPORTED ARTICLES AND TO IMPROVE TRADE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS.
(a) In General-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall establish and carry out on a fiscal year basis educational seminars to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel to classify and appraise articles imported into the United States in accordance with the customs and trade laws of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) improve the trade enforcement efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) LOCATION- Each educational seminar under this section shall be located at a United States port of entry or a Center of Excellence and Expertise described in section 212(c) of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Content-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) CLASSIFYING AND APPRAISING IMPORTED ARTICLES- In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(A), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency personnel on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) Conducting a physical inspection of an article imported into the United States, including testing of samples of the article, to determine if the article is mislabeled in the manifest or other accompanying documentation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) Reviewing the manifest and other accompanying documentation of an article imported into the United States to determine if the country of origin of the article listed in the manifest or other accompanying documentation is accurate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) Customs valuation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) Industry supply chains and other related matters as determined to be appropriate by the Commissioner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) TRADE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS- In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(B), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency personnel to identify opportunities to enhance enforcement of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(B) Addressing evasion of duties on imports of textiles.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) Protection of intellectual property rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) Enforcement of child labor laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONER AND DIRECTOR- The instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner and the Director.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Selection Process-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall establish a process to solicit, evaluate, and select interested parties in the private sector for purposes of assisting in providing instruction and related instructional materials described in subsection (b) at each educational seminar under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) CRITERIA- The Commissioner shall evaluate and select interested parties in the private sector under the process established under paragraph (1) based on--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) availability and usefulness;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) the volume, value, and incidence of mislabeling or misidentification of origin of imported articles; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) other appropriate criteria established by the Commissioner.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY- The Commissioner shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description of the process established under paragraph (1) and the criteria established under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Special Rule for Antidumping and Countervailing Orders-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall give due consideration to carrying out an educational seminar under this section in whole or in part to improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel to enforce a countervailing or antidumping duty order issued under section 706 or 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(2) INTERESTED PARTY- A petitioner described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as an interested party in the private sector for purposes of the requirements of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Performance Standards- The Commissioner and the Director shall establish performance standards to measure the development and level of achievement of educational seminars under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(f) Reporting- Beginning September 30, 2013, the Commissioner and Director shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate an annual report on the effectiveness of educational seminars under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(g) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) COMMISSIONER- The term ‘Commissioner’ means the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) DIRECTOR- The term ‘Director’ means the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) UNITED STATES- The term ‘United States’ means the customs territory of the United States, as defined in General Note 2 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION AGENCY PERSONNEL- The term ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency personnel’ means import specialists, auditors, and other appropriate employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PERSONNEL- The term ‘U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency personnel’ means Homeland Security Investigations Directorate personnel and other appropriate employees of the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
CHAPTER 2--IMPORTER REQUIREMENTS
SEC. 221. IMPORTER OF RECORD PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish an importer of record program to assign and maintain importer of record numbers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Requirements- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that, as part of the importer of record program, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) develops criteria that importers must meet in order to obtain an importer of record number, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to verify the existence of the importer requesting the importer of record number;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to identify linkages or other affiliations between importers that are requesting or have been assigned importer of record numbers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to identify changes in address and corporate structure of importers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) provides a process by which importers are assigned importer of record numbers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) maintains a centralized database of importer of record numbers, including a history of importer of record numbers associated with each importer, and the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) evaluates the accuracy of the database; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) takes measures to ensure that duplicate importer of record numbers are not issued.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Report- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the importer of record program established under subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Number Defined- In this subsection, the term ‘number’, with respect to an importer of record, means a filing identification number described in section 24.5 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 222. CUSTOMS BROKER IDENTIFICATION OF IMPORTERS.
(a) In General- Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
‘(i) Identification of Importers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards for customs brokers and importers, including nonresident importers, regarding the identity of the importer that shall apply in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS- The regulations shall, at a minimum, require customs brokers to implement, and importers (after being given adequate notice) to comply with, reasonable procedures for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) collecting the identity of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States to the extent reasonable and practicable; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) maintaining records of the information used to substantiate a person’s identity, including name, address, and other identifying information.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) PENALTIES- Any customs broker who fails to collect information required under the regulations prescribed under this subsection shall be liable to the United States, at the discretion of the Secretary, for a monetary penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of those regulations and subject to revocation or suspension of a license or permit of the customs broker pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (d).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) DEFINITIONS- In this subsection, the terms ‘importer’ and ‘nonresident importer’ have the meaning given such terms in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Study and Report Required- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to Congress a report containing recommendations for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) determining the most timely and effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers with appropriate and accurate information, comparable to that which is required of United States nationals, concerning the identity, address, and other related information relating to such foreign nationals necessary to enable customs brokers to comply with the requirements of section 641(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a)); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) establishing a system for customs brokers to review information maintained by relevant Federal agencies for purposes of verifying the identities of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 223. ESTABLISHMENT OF ‘NEW IMPORTER’ PROGRAM.
(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall establish a new importer program that directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to adjust bond amounts for new importers based on the level of risk assessed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for protection of revenue of the Federal Government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Requirements- The Commissioner shall ensure that, as part of the new importer program established under subsection (a), the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) develops risk assessment guidelines for new importers to determine if and to what extent--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) to adjust bond amounts of imported products of new importers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) to increase screening of imported products of new importers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers relating to the enforcement of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
(3) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers by Centers of Excellence and Expertise established under section 212; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) establishes a centralized database of new importers to ensure accuracy of information that is required to be provided by new importers to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 224. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO NON-RESIDENT IMPORTERS.
(a) In General- Part III of title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
‘SEC. 484c. REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO NON-RESIDENT IMPORTERS.
‘(a) In General- Except as provided in subsection (c), if an importer of record under section 484 of this Act is not a resident of the United States, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to designate a resident agent in the United States subject to the requirements described in subsection (b).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Requirements- The requirements described in this subsection are the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) The resident agent shall be authorized to accept service of process against the non-resident importer in connection with the importation of merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) The resident agent shall be liable to the United States for payment of duties and penalties or other fines issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Commissioner if the Secretary or Commissioner is unable to collect such duties and penalties or other fines from such non-resident importer in connection with the importation of merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) The Secretary of the Treasury may require the resident agent to secure a bond or other security in connection with the importation of merchandise as the Secretary may deem necessary for the protection of the revenue or to assure compliance with any provision of law, regulation, or instruction which the Secretary of the Commissioner may be authorized to enforce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to establish a power of attorney with the resident agent in connection with the importation of merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(c) Non-Applicability- The requirements of this section shall not apply with respect to a non-resident importer who is a validated Tier 2 or Tier 3 participant in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program established under subtitle B of title II of the SAFE Port Act (
6 U.S.C. 961 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(d) Penalties-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- It shall be unlawful for any person to import into the United States any merchandise in violation of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) CIVIL PENALTIES- Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50,000 for each such violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) OTHER PENALTIES- In addition to the penalties specified in paragraph (2), any violation of this section that violates any other customs and trade laws of the United States shall be subject to any applicable civil and criminal penalty, including seizure and forfeiture, that may be imposed under such customs or trade law or title 18, United States Code, with respect to the importation of merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) DEFINITION- In this subsection, the term ‘customs and trade laws of the United States’ has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Customs Enhanced Enforcement and Trade Facilitation Act of 2012.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Effective Date- Section 484c of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (a), takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to the importation of merchandise of an importer of record under section 484 of the Tariff Act of 1930 who is not resident of the United States on or after the date that is 180 days after such date of enactment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 225. CERTIFIED IMPORTER PROGRAM.
(a) Interagency Committee-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP- There is established an interagency committee composed of representatives of each covered Federal agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) CHAIRPERSON- The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall serve as the chairperson of the interagency committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Duties- The interagency committee shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) not later than December 30, 2014, and in consultation with interested parties in the private sector, establish a certified importer program as described in (c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) assess and make recommendations with respect to other trade facilitation benefits for certified importers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Certified Importer Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- The certified importer program described in this subsection is a program to authorize the release of cargo imported by a certified importer on an expedited basis that is subject to documentation for clearing or licensing the importation or exportation of such cargo by one or more covered Federal agencies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) CLEARANCE- Such release of cargo shall include clearance through the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(5) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
(d) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) CERTIFIED IMPORTER- The term ‘certified importer’ means an importer that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A)(i) is a validated Tier 2 or Tier 3 participant in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program established under subtitle B of title II of the SAFE Port Act (
(ii) is a participant in good standing of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’s importer self-assessment program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) where applicable, participants in good standing in one or more programs maintained by a covered Federal agency to formally identify entities that are highly complaint with the covered Federal agency’s requirements and which maintain a rigorous system of internal controls and system of records to promote and document such compliance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) COVERED FEDERAL AGENCY- The term ‘covered Federal agency’ means a Federal department or agency that requires documentation for clearing or licensing the importation or exportation of cargo.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Report-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than March 31, 2014, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report assessing the progress in establishing the certified importer program as described in subsection (c) and coordination among the Commissioner and the heads of each covered Federal agency in facilitating the implementation of the certified importer program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) UPDATE- Not later than December 31, 2015, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an update of the report required under paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
CHAPTER 3--IMPORT-RELATED PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
SEC. 231. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO TRADE ENFORCEMENT.
The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after section 628 (
‘SEC. 628A. EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION RELATED TO TRADE ENFORCEMENT.
‘(a) Sharing of Information Relating to Copyrights and Registered Marks-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) SHARING OF INFORMATION AND SAMPLES- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized, at the time that merchandise is presented for examination and thereafter, to provide to the owner of a copyright or a registered mark, with notification to the importer of record--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) any information appearing on the merchandise or its retail packaging,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) a sample, or digital image, of the merchandise and its retail packaging, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) if a sample is provided under subparagraph (B), any packing material accompanying the sample that bears either a mark suspected of being a counterfeit mark of the registered mark, or a work suspected of infringing the copyright,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
as presented to the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency, without redaction, whether imported into or exported from, or attempted to be exported from, the United States, to assist the Secretary in determining whether the merchandise, packaging, or packing material infringes the copyright or bears or consists of a counterfeit mark of the registered mark.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) NONDISCLOSURE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- Any owner of a copyright or a registered mark to whom information, a sample, an image, or material described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) is provided under paragraph (1) may not disclose it to any other person or use it for a purpose other than the purpose described in paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) EXCEPTION- Subparagraph (A) does not apply in the case of information, a sample, an image, or material that is disclosed or used in a civil action for infringement of a copyright under title 17, United States Code, or infringement of a registered mark under the Lanham Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) USE IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BARRED- Information, samples, images, or material described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1), or information obtained from the provision of information, samples, images, or material under any such subparagraph, may not be used by the owner of a copyright or registered mark in any judicial proceeding, other than a proceeding described in subparagraph (B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) BONDING REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary may impose bonding requirements on the owner of the copyright or registered mark as a condition of disclosure of information and the provision of samples under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) IMPLEMENTATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) REGULATIONS- Not later than the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate revised regulations to carry out this subsection. Until such time as the Secretary promulgates the revised regulations, and notwithstanding section 818(g)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (
10 U.S.C. 2302 note;Public Law 112-81 ), those regulations in effect on the date of the enactment of this section implementing section 818(g)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 shall be in effect, except to the extent such regulations limit the application of this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(B) INFORMATION SHARING PROCESSES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) FOR IMPORTERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) IN GENERAL- The Secretary is authorized to establish a clearance process for those importers of record who wish to participate in the process to allow for or accelerate the release of merchandise from the custody of the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency without the provision under paragraph (1), prior to seizure of the merchandise, of information, samples, images, or material with respect to the merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) LIMITATION ON SHARING OF INFORMATION- In the case of an importer of record that participates in the process under subclause (I), no information, samples, images, or material described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) of merchandise of that importer may be provided, without redaction, to the owner of a copyright or registered mark prior to seizure of the merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) FOR OWNERS OF COPYRIGHTS AND REGISTERED MARKS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) IN GENERAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a process or processes for those owners of copyrights and owners of registered marks that wish to participate in the process or processes, through which any sharing of information, samples, images, and material under paragraph (1) will be carried out before the notification to the importer of record referred to in paragraph (1) is made, subject to the limitation under subclause (II) of clause (i).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) INELIGIBILITY- An owner of a copyright or a registered mark shall not be eligible to participate in a process described in item (aa) if that owner of a copyright or a registered mark has violated the prohibitions on disclosure under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) PROVISION OF SAMPLES AND INFORMATION TO CBP- The Secretary is authorized to establish a process for those owners of copyrights and owners of registered marks that wish to provide to the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency samples of, or information regarding, their copyrighted merchandise or merchandise that bears their registered marks (as the case may be), to assist the Secretary in determining whether merchandise presented for examination infringes the copyright or bears or consists of a counterfeit mark of the registered mark.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Merchandise in Violation of Anticircumvention Measures-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) NOTIFICATION UPON SEIZURE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) NOTIFICATION OF COPYRIGHT OWNER- Upon the seizure of merchandise by the Secretary for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code , the Secretary shall notify the owner of a copyright who is included on the list established under paragraph (4) of the seizure of the merchandise that is capable of circumventing a technological measure of the copyright owner under either such subsection. The Secretary shall also provide to any such person additional information upon request, which shall be equivalent to information provided pursuant tosection 602(b) of title 17, United States Code , and the regulations issued under that section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(B) NOTIFICATION OF TRADEMARK OWNER- Upon the seizure of merchandise by the Secretary for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code , the Secretary shall notify the owner of a registered mark--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) on hardware that contains a technological measure that the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) on hardware on which the use of the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing a technological measure of a copyright owner,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
in either case in a manner that would result in injury to the owner of a copyright under either such subsection, if the owner of the registered mark is included on the list established under paragraph (4). The Secretary shall also provide to any such person additional information upon request, which shall be equivalent to information provided pursuant to
section 602(b) of title 17, United States Code , and the regulations issued under that section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(2) PRE-SEIZURE PROVISION OF SAMPLES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of merchandise that the Secretary reasonably suspects may be subject to seizure by the Secretary for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code , the Secretary is authorized to provide a sample of the merchandise to any person described in subparagraph (B) in the case of merchandise that is suspected of such a violation, when necessary in the view of the Secretary to assist the Secretary in determining whether such a violation has occurred.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(B) RECIPIENTS OF SAMPLES- Persons to whom provision of samples is authorized under subparagraph (A) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) the owner of a copyright whose technological measure the merchandise is capable of circumventing under subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code ; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(ii) the owner of a registered mark--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) on hardware that contains a technological measure that the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) on hardware on which the use of the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing a technological measure of a copyright owner,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
in either case in a manner that would result in injury to the owner of a copyright under either such subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) NONDISCLOSURE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- Any owner of a copyright or a registered mark to whom a sample is provided under subparagraph (A) before the merchandise is seized may not disclose it to any other person or use it for a purpose other than the purpose described in subparagraph (A) for such provision of samples.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) EXCEPTION- Clause (i) does not apply in the case of a sample that is disclosed or used in a civil action for infringement of a copyright under title 17, United States Code, or infringement of a registered mark under the Lanham Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) USE IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BARRED- A sample provided under subparagraph (A), or information obtained from the provision of such a sample, may not be used by the owner of a copyright or registered mark in any judicial proceeding, other than a proceeding described in clause (ii).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(D) BONDING REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary may impose bonding requirements on the owner of the copyright or trademark as a condition of the provision of samples under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) POST-SEIZURE PROVISION OF SAMPLES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- In the case of merchandise subject to seizure by the Secretary for a violation of subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code , the Secretary is authorized to provide a sample of the merchandise to any person described in subparagraph (B) if the merchandise has been seized for such a violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(B) RECIPIENTS OF SAMPLES- Persons to whom provision of samples is authorized under subparagraph (A) are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) the owner of a copyright whose technological measure the merchandise is capable of circumventing under subsection (a) or (b) of
section 1201 of title 17, United States Code , and who is included on the list established under paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(ii) the owner of a registered mark--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) on hardware that contains a technological measure that the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing, orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) on hardware on which the use of the seized merchandise is capable of circumventing a technological measure of a copyright owner,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
in either case in a manner that would result in injury to the owner of a copyright under either such subsection, if the owner of the registered mark is included on the list established under paragraph (4). The Secretary shall also provide to any such person additional information upon request, which shall be equivalent to information provided pursuant to
section 602(b) of title 17, United States Code , and the regulations issued under that section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(C) BONDING REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary may impose bonding requirements on the owner of the copyright or trademark as a condition of the provision of samples under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) ELIGIBLE OWNERS OF COPYRIGHTS AND REGISTERED MARKS- An owner of a copyright or a registered mark is eligible to receive notification under paragraph (1) or samples under paragraph (3) if such owner is included on a list that the Secretary is authorized to maintain and periodically revise, through a process of notice and comment, for purposes of paragraphs (1) and (3) of this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) REGULATIONS- Not later than the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations establishing procedures that implement this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(c) Notification of Parties Responsible for Initiation of Section 337 Investigations- The Secretary is authorized to notify the party or parties responsible for initiating an investigation under section 337 of this Act when merchandise is excluded under subsection (d) of that section, or merchandise is seized under subsection (i) of that section, pursuant to that investigation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(d) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) The term ‘counterfeit mark’ has the meaning given that term in
section 2320(e) of title 18, United States Code .CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(2) The term ‘Lanham Act’ means the Act entitled ‘An Act to provide for the registration and protection of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain international conventions, and for other purposes’, approved July 5, 1946 (
15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(3) The term ‘mark’ has the meaning given that term in section 45 of the Lanham Act (
15 U.S.C. 1127 ).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(4) The term ‘registered mark’ has the meaning given that term in section 45 of the Lanham Act (
15 U.S.C. 1127 ).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(5) The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(6) The term ‘work’ means a work within the meaning of title 17, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(7) The term ‘without redaction’ means without modification, deletion or omission.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE III--PREVENTION OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE III--PREVENTION OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy LawsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle A--Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy LawsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 301. PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION OF EVASION.
(a) In General- The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after section 516A (
‘SEC. 516B. PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING CLAIMS OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERS.
‘(a) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY- The term ‘administering authority’ has the meaning given that term in section 771(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES- The term ‘appropriate congressional committees’ means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) COMMISSIONER- The term ‘Commissioner’ means the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) COVERED MERCHANDISE- The term ‘covered merchandise’ means merchandise that is subject to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) a countervailing duty order issued under section 706 of the Tariff Act of 1930;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) an antidumping duty order issued under section 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) a finding issued under the Antidumping Act, 1921.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- The term ‘eligible small business’ means any business concern which, in the Commissioner’s judgment, due to its small size, has neither adequate internal resources nor financial ability to obtain qualified outside assistance in preparing and submitting for consideration allegations of evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) NON-REVIEWABILITY- Any agency decision regarding whether a business concern is an eligible small business for purposes of section 311(b)(3) is not reviewable by any other agency or by any court.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(6) ENTER; ENTRY- The terms ‘enter’ and ‘entry’ refer to the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, in the customs territory of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(7) EVADE; EVASION- The terms ‘evade’ and ‘evasion’ refer to entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of any document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is material and false, or any omission that is material, and that results in any cash deposit or other security or any amount of applicable antidumping or countervailing duties being reduced or not being applied with respect to the merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(8) INTERESTED PARTY- The term ‘interested party’ has the meaning given the term in section 771(9) (other than subparagraph (A) or (B) of such section).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(9) SECRETARY- The term ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary of the Treasury.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(10) TRADE REMEDY LAWS- The term ‘trade remedy laws’ means title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, established under section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348;
19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(B) COMPOSITION- The Trade Law Remedy Enforcement Division shall be composed of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) headquarters personnel led by a Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) a National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) DUTIES- The Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall be dedicated--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) to the development and administration of policies to prevent and counter evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) to direct enforcement and compliance assessment activities concerning evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with paragraph (3);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) to issuing Trade Alerts described in paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(v) to the development of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk of noncollection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) DUTIES OF DIRECTOR- The duties of the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency that concern evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant agencies regarding evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) notifying on a timely basis the administering authority (as defined in section 771(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
19 U.S.C. 1677(1) )) and the Commission (as defined in section 771(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1677(2) )) of any finding, determination, civil action, or criminal action taken by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or other Federal agency regarding evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink‘(D) serving as the primary liaison between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and the public regarding United States Government activities concerning evasion, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) establish and administer the procedures described in subsection (c);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) upon request, provide technical assistance and advice to eligible small businesses to enable such businesses to prepare and submit allegations of evasion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) regularly consult with the public, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and any other relevant parties and organizations regarding the development and implementation of regulations, interpretations, and policies related to countering evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) PREVENTING AND COUNTERING EVASION OF THE TRADE REMEDY LAWS- In carrying out its duties with respect to preventing and countering evasion, the National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in paragraph (4); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, and the Treasury Enforcement Communications System, and any successor systems, to administer the methodologies and standards established under subparagraph (A).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) TRADE ALERTS- Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under paragraph (3), the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall issue Trade Alerts or other such means of notification to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, or physical examination or testing, of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with the trade remedy laws.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) SINGLE ENTRY BOND- The Secretary of the Treasury shall require a single entry bond, in addition to any continuous bond, in any case in which the Secretary has a reasonable belief, based on evidence, that merchandise--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) may be subject to an order issued under section 706 or section 736; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) is being entered into the United States by means of evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
The bond shall be set at an amount the Secretary determines sufficient to protect revenue and to ensure compliance with the law, regulations, and instructions that the Secretary is authorized to enforce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(c) Procedures for Investigating Allegations of Evasion-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) INITIATION BY PETITION OR REFERRAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- Not later than 10 days after the date on which the Commissioner receives a petition described in subparagraph (B) or a referral described in subparagraph (C), the Commissioner shall initiate an investigation pursuant to this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) PETITION DESCRIBED- A petition described in this subparagraph is a petition that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) is filed with the Commissioner by any party who is an interested party with respect to covered merchandise;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) alleges that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) is accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner supporting the allegation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) REFERRAL DESCRIBED- A referral described in this subparagraph is information submitted to the Commissioner by any other Federal agency, including the Department of Commerce or the United States International Trade Commission, indicating that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) DETERMINATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Commissioner initiates an investigation under paragraph (1), the Commissioner shall issue a preliminary determination, based on information available to the Commissioner at the time of the determination, with respect to whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) EXTENSION- The Commissioner may extend by not more than 45 days the time period specified in clause (i) if the Commissioner determines that sufficient information to make a preliminary determination under that clause is not available within that time period or the inquiry is unusually complex.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) FINAL DETERMINATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- Not later than 120 days after making a preliminary determination under subparagraph (A), the Commissioner shall make a final determination, based on substantial evidence, with respect to whether covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) EXTENSION- The Commissioner may extend by not more than 60 days the time period specified in clause (i) if the Commissioner determines that sufficient information to make a final determination under that clause is not available within that time period or the inquiry is unusually complex.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMENT; HEARING- After making a preliminary determination under subparagraph (A) and before issuing a final determination under this subparagraph with respect to whether covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Commissioner shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) provide any person alleged to have entered the merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, and any person that is an interested party with respect to the merchandise, with an opportunity to be heard;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) upon request, hold a hearing with respect to whether the covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(III) provide an opportunity for public comment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) AUTHORITY TO COLLECT AND VERIFY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION- In making a preliminary determination under subparagraph (A) or a final determination under subparagraph (B), the Commissioner--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) shall exercise all existing authorities to collect information needed to make the determination; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) may collect such additional information as is necessary to make the determination through such methods as the Commissioner considers appropriate, including by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) issuing a questionnaire with respect to covered merchandise to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(aa) a person that filed a petition under paragraph (1)(B);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(bb) a person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(cc) any other person that is an interested party with respect to the covered merchandise; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) conducting verifications, including on-site verifications, of any relevant information.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(D) ADVERSE INFERENCE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) IN GENERAL- If the Commissioner finds that a person that filed a petition under paragraph (1)(B), a person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, or a foreign producer or exporter, has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of the person’s ability to comply with a request for information, the Commissioner may, in making a preliminary determination under subparagraph (A) or a final determination under subparagraph (B), use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that person in selecting from among the facts otherwise available to determine whether evasion has occurred.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) ADVERSE INFERENCE DESCRIBED- An adverse inference used under clause (i) may include reliance on information derived from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) the petition, if any, submitted under paragraph (1)(B) with respect to the covered merchandise;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) a determination by the Commissioner in another investigation under this section;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(III) an investigation or review by the administering authority under title VII; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(IV) any other information placed on the record.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(E) NOTIFICATION AND PUBLICATION- Not later than 7 days after making a preliminary determination under subparagraph (A) or a final determination under subparagraph (B), the Commissioner shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) provide notification of the determination to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) the administering authority; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) the person that submitted the petition under paragraph (1)(B) or the Federal agency that submitted the referral under paragraph (1)(C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) provide the determination for publication in the Federal Register.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) BUSINESS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROCEDURES- For each investigation initiated under paragraph (1), the Commissioner shall establish procedures for the submission of business proprietary information under an administrative protective order that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) protects against public disclosure of such information; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) for purposes of submitting comments to the Commissioner, provides limited access to such information for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) the person that submitted the petition under paragraph (1)(B) or the Federal agency that submitted the referral under paragraph (1)(C); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) the person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) ADMINISTRATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH OTHER PROCEDURES- The procedures established under subparagraph (A) shall be administered, to the maximum extent practicable, in accordance with administrative protective order procedures under section 777 by the administering authority.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) DISCLOSURE OF BUSINESS PROPRIETARY INFORMATION- The Commissioner shall, in accordance with the procedures established under subparagraph (A), make all business proprietary information presented to, or obtained by, the Commissioner during an investigation available to the persons specified in subparagraph (A)(ii) under an administrative protective order, regardless of when such information is submitted during an investigation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) REFERRALS TO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) AFTER PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION- Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the Commissioner makes an affirmative preliminary determination under paragraph (2)(A), the Commissioner shall, at the request of the head of another Federal agency, transmit the administrative record to the head of that agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) AFTER FINAL DETERMINATION- Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the Commissioner makes an affirmative final determination under paragraph (2)(B), the Commissioner shall, at the request of the head of another Federal agency, transmit the complete administrative record to the head of that agency.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) PROTECTIVE ORDERS- Before transmitting an administrative record to the head of another Federal agency under subparagraph (A) or (B), the Commissioner shall verify that the other agency has in effect with respect to the administrative record a protective order that provides the same or a similar level of protection for the information in the administrative record as the protective order in effect with respect to such information under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(d) Effect of Determinations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) EFFECT OF AFFIRMATIVE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION- If the Commissioner makes a preliminary determination in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(A) that there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Commissioner shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) suspend the liquidation of each unliquidated entry of the covered merchandise that is subject to the preliminary determination and that entered on or after the date of the initiation of the investigation under paragraph (1) and, pursuant to the Commissioner’s authority under section 504(b), extend liquidation of each unliquidated entry of the covered merchandise that is subject to the preliminary determination and that entered prior to the date of the initiation of the investigation under paragraph (1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) review and reassess the amount of bond or other security the importer is required to post for each entry of merchandise described in subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) require the posting of a cash deposit with respect to each entry of merchandise described in subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(D) take such other measures as the Commissioner determines appropriate to ensure the collection of any duties that may be owed with respect to merchandise described in subparagraph (A) as a result of a final determination under subsection (c)(2)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) EFFECT OF NEGATIVE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION- If the Commissioner makes a preliminary determination in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(A) that there is not a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Commissioner shall continue the investigation and notify the administering authority pending a final determination under subsection (c)(2)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) EFFECT OF AFFIRMATIVE FINAL DETERMINATION- If the Commissioner makes a final determination in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(B) that covered merchandise was entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Commissioner shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) suspend or continue to suspend, as the case may be, the liquidation of each entry of the covered merchandise that is subject to the determination and that enters on or after the date of the determination and, pursuant to the Commissioner’s authority under section 504(b), extend or continue to extend, as the case may be, the liquidation of each entry of the covered merchandise that is subject to the determination and that entered prior to the date of the determination;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) notify the administering authority of the determination and request that the administering authority--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) identify the applicable antidumping or countervailing duty assessment rate for the entries for which liquidation is suspended under paragraph (1)(A) or subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) if no such assessment rates are available at the time, identify the applicable cash deposit rate to be applied to the entries described in subparagraph (A), with the applicable antidumping or countervailing duty assessment rates to be provided as soon as such rates become available;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) require the posting of cash deposits and assess duties on each entry of merchandise described in subparagraph (A) in accordance with the instructions received from the administering authority under paragraph (5);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(D) review and reassess the amount of bond or other security the importer is required to post for merchandise described in subparagraph (A) to ensure the protection of revenue and compliance with the law; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(E) take such additional enforcement measures as the Commissioner determines appropriate, such as--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(i) initiating proceedings under section 592 or 596;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) implementing, in consultation with the relevant Federal agencies, rule sets or modifications to rules sets for identifying, particularly through the Automated Targeting System and the Automated Commercial Environment, importers, other parties, and merchandise that may be associated with evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) requiring, with respect to merchandise for which the importer has repeatedly provided incomplete or erroneous entry summary information in connection with determinations of evasion, the importer to submit entry summary documentation and to deposit estimated duties at the time of entry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) referring the record in whole or in part to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for civil or criminal investigation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(v) transmitting the administrative record to the administering authority for further appropriate proceedings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(4) EFFECT OF NEGATIVE FINAL DETERMINATION- If the Commissioner makes a final determination in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(B) that covered merchandise was not entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Commissioner shall terminate the suspension of liquidation pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) and refund any cash deposits collected pursuant to paragraph (1)(C) that are in excess of the cash deposit rate that would otherwise have been applicable the merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) COOPERATION OF ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) IN GENERAL- Upon receiving a notification from the Commissioner under paragraph (3)(B), the administering authority shall promptly provide to the Commissioner the applicable cash deposit rates and antidumping or countervailing duty assessment rates and any necessary liquidation instructions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) SPECIAL RULE FOR CASES IN WHICH THE PRODUCER OR EXPORTER IS UNKNOWN- If the Commissioner and administering authority are unable to determine the producer or exporter of the merchandise with respect to which a notification is made under paragraph (3)(B), the administering authority shall identify, as the applicable cash deposit rate or antidumping or countervailing duty assessment rate, the cash deposit or duty (as the case may be) in the highest amount applicable to any producer or exporter, including the ‘all-others’ rate of the merchandise subject to an antidumping order or countervailing duty order under section 736 or 706, respectively, or a finding issued under the Antidumping Act, 1921, or any administrative review conducted under section 751.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(e) Special Rules-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) EFFECT ON OTHER AUTHORITIES- Neither the initiation of an investigation under subsection (c)(1) nor a preliminary determination or a final determination under subsection (c)(2) shall affect the authority of the Commissioner--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) to pursue such other enforcement measures with respect to the evasion of antidumping or countervailing duties as the Commissioner determines necessary, including enforcement measures described in clauses (i) through (iv) of subsection (d)(3)(E); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) to assess any penalties or collect any applicable duties, taxes, and fees, including pursuant to section 592.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) EFFECT OF DETERMINATIONS ON FRAUD ACTIONS- Neither a preliminary determination nor a final determination under subsection (c)(2) shall be determinative in a proceeding under section 592.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(3) NEGLIGENCE OR INTENT- The Commissioner shall investigate and make a preliminary determination or a final determination under this section with respect to whether a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion without regard to whether the person--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) intended to violate an antidumping duty order or countervailing duty order under section 736 or 706, respectively, or a finding issued under the Antidumping Act, 1921; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) exercised reasonable care with respect to avoiding a violation of such an order or finding.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Technical Amendment- Clause (ii) of section 777(b)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
19 U.S.C. 1677f(b)(1)(A) ) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ii) to an officer or employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency who is directly involved in conducting an investigation regarding fraud under this title or claims of evasion under section 516B.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Judicial Review- Section 516A(a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
19 U.S.C. 1516a(a)(2) ) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) in subparagraph (A)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) in clause (i)(III), by striking ‘or’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) in clause (ii), by adding ‘or’ at the end; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iii) the date of publication in the Federal Register of a determination described in clause (ix) of subparagraph (B),’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following new clause:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(ix) A determination by the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection under section 516B that merchandise has been entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Finality of Determinations- Section 514(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
19 U.S.C. 1514(b) ) is amended by striking ‘section 303’ and all that follows through ‘which are reviewable’ and inserting ‘section 516B or title VII that are reviewable’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 302. APPLICATION TO CANADA AND MEXICO.
Pursuant to article 1902 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and section 408 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (
Subtitle B--Other MattersCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
Subtitle B--Other MattersCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 311. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle, the terms ‘appropriate congressional committees’, ‘Commissioner’, ‘covered merchandise’, ‘enter’ and ‘entry’, and ‘evade’ and ‘evasion’ have the meanings given those terms in section 516B(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by section 301(a) of this Act).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 312. ALLOCATION AND TRAINING OF PERSONNEL.
(a) Reassignment and Allocation- The Commissioner shall, to the maximum extent possible, ensure that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) employs sufficient personnel who have expertise in, and responsibility for, preventing and investigating the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) on the basis of risk assessment metrics, assigns sufficient personnel with primary responsibility for preventing the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion to the ports of entry in the United States at which the Commissioner determines potential evasion presents the most substantial threats to the revenue of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) provides adequate training to relevant personnel to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention and investigation of entries of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Commercial Enforcement Officers- Not later than 30 days after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Commissioner, and the Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall assess and properly allocate the resources of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) to effectively implement the provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) to improve efforts to investigate and combat evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 313. REGULATIONS.
(a) In General- Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall issue regulations to carry out this title and the amendments made by this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Cooperation Between U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Department of Commerce- Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner, the Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Secretary of Commerce shall establish procedures to ensure maximum cooperation and communication between the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Commerce in order to quickly, efficiently, and accurately investigate allegations of evasion under section 516B of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by section 301(a) of this Act).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 314. ANNUAL REPORT ON PREVENTION OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERS.
(a) In General- Not later than February 28 of each year, beginning in 2013, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the efforts being taken to prevent and investigate evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Contents- Each report required under subsection (a) shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(1) for the calendar year preceding the submission of the report--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) a summary of the efforts of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to prevent and investigate evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) the number of allegations of evasion received and the number of allegations of evasion resulting in investigations by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or any other agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) a summary of the completed investigations of evasion, including the number and nature of the investigations initiated, conducted, or completed, as well as their resolution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) with respect to investigations that lead to lead to issuance of a penalty notice, the penalty amounts;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) the amounts of antidumping and countervailing duties collected as a result of any investigations or other actions by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency or any other agency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) a description of the allocation of personnel and other resources of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent and investigation evasion, including any assessments conducted regarding the allocation of such personnel and resources; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(G) a description of training conducted to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention and investigation of evasion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) a description of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency processes and procedures to prevent and investigate evasion, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) the specific guidelines, policies, and practices used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to ensure that allegations of evasion are promptly evaluated and acted upon in a timely manner;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) an evaluation of the efficacy of such existing guidelines, policies, and practices;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) identification of any changes since the last report that have materially improved or reduced the effectiveness of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to prevent and investigate evasion;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(D) a description of the development and implementation of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk on noncollection;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(E) the processes and procedures for increased cooperation and information sharing with the Department of Commerce, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any other relevant Federal agencies to prevent and investigate evasion; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(F) identification of any recommended policy changes of other Federal agencies or legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency to prevent and investigate evasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 315. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON RELIQUIDATION AUTHORITY.
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees, and make available to the public, a report estimating the amount of duties that could not be collected on covered merchandise that entered the customs territory of the United States through evasion during fiscal years 2011 and 2012 because the Commissioner did not have the authority to reliquidate the entries of such merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 316. ADDRESSING CIRCUMVENTION BY NEW SHIPPERS.
Section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) by striking clause (iii);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (iii); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) inserting after clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of this section, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(iv) Any weighted average dumping margin or individual countervailing duty rate determined for an exporter or producer in a review conducted under clause (i) shall be based solely on the bona fide United States sales of an exporter or producer, as the case may be, made during the period covered by the review. In determining whether the United States sales of an exporter or producer made during the period covered by the review were bona fide, the administering authority shall consider, depending on the circumstances surrounding such sales--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(I) the prices of such sales;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(II) whether such sales were made in commercial quantities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(III) the timing of such sales;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(IV) the expenses arising from such sales;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(V) whether the subject merchandise involved in such sales were resold in the United States at a profit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(VI) whether such sales were made on an arms-length basis; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(VII) any other factor the administering authority determines to be relevant as to whether such sales are, or are not, likely to be typical of those the exporter or producer will make after completion of the review.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
TITLE IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 401. PENALTIES FOR CUSTOMS BROKERS.
(a) In General- Section 641(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ‘; or’ and inserting a semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ‘; or’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(G) has been convicted of committing or conspiring to commit an act of terrorism described in
section 2332b of title 18, United States Code .’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Technical Amendments- Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking ‘Secretary’s notice’ and inserting ‘notice under subparagraph (A)’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking ‘Customs Service’ each place it appears and inserting ‘U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 402. DE MINIMIS VALUE AND ENTRY UNDER REGULATIONS.
(a) De Minimis Value- Section 321(a)(2)(C) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(b) Entry Under Regulations- Section 498 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) Merchandise, when different commercial facilitation and risk considerations that may vary for different classes or kinds of merchandise or different classes of transactions may dictate;’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(b) Entry of Merchandise Valued at $2,500 or Less- The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe rules and regulations for the declaration and entry of merchandise if the aggregate value of the shipment of merchandise does not exceed $2,500.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section apply to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 403. COLLECTION AND REMITTANCE OF CERTAIN CUSTOMS USER FEES.
(a) In General- Section 13031(d) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (
(1) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘and Remittance’ after ‘collection’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by inserting ‘required to be collected under such paragraph’ after ‘shall remit those fees’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking ‘31 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which the fees are collected’ and inserting ‘30 days after the end of the month in which the fees are required to be collected’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(5) The refund of any fee collected under subsection (a)(5) shall not be payable from the Customs User Fee Account.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(6)(A) A person who collects fees under paragraph (1) or (2) and does not remit those fees to the Secretary of the Treasury as required by paragraph (3) shall be subject to a penalty in accordance with the requirements of this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) The amount of such penalty shall be equal to 2 times the amount of the fee that was required to be remitted to the Secretary of the Treasury. The Secretary of the Treasury may establish and impose additional penalties through rulemaking for failure to comply with any provision of this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) Any penalty collected under this paragraph shall be used to directly reimburse each appropriation for the amount paid out of that appropriation for the costs described in subsection (f)(3)(A).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and apply with respect to fees that are required to be collected and remitted to the Secretary of the Treasury under section 13031(d) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended by subsection (a), on or after such date of enactment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
SEC. 404. DRAWBACK AND REFUNDS.
(a) Articles Made From Imported Merchandise- Section 313(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) by striking ‘under customs supervision’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by inserting ‘as calculated under subsection (r)(4)(A),’ after ‘less 1 per centum of such duties,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(b) Substitution for Drawback Purposes- Section 313(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) by striking ‘If imported’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(1) IN GENERAL- If imported’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) by striking ‘and any other merchandise (whether imported or domestic) of the same kind and quality’ and inserting ‘and substitute merchandise’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(3) by striking ‘three years’ and inserting ‘5 years’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(4) by striking ‘the receipt of such imported merchandise by the manufacturer or producer of such articles’ and inserting ‘the date of importation of such imported merchandise by the importer’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(5) by striking ‘under customs supervision’ each place it appears;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(6) by inserting after ‘merchandise used therein been imported,’ the following: ‘as calculated under subsection (r)(4)(A),’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(7) by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘, as calculated under subsection (r)(4)(A).’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(8) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(2) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO TRANSFER OF MERCHANDISE-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(A) MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCERS- Drawback may be allowed under paragraph (1) in the amount referred to under paragraph (1) only if the manufacturer or producer of articles has received the imported, duty-paid merchandise or substitute merchandise, directly or indirectly, of imported duty-paid merchandise or substitute merchandise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(B) EXPORTERS AND DESTROYERS- Drawback may be allowed under paragraph (1) in the amount referred to under paragraph (1) only if the exporter or destroyer of articles has received the manufactured or produced article or substitute article, directly or indirectly, of a substitute article.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
‘(C) EVIDENCE OF TRANSFER- Transfers of merchandise under subparagraph (A) and transfers of articles under subparagraph (B) may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer or manufacture shall be required.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(c) Merchandise Not Conforming to Sample or Specifications- Section 313(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
(1) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘under the supervision of the Customs Service’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) in subparagraph (D)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(i) by striking ‘3’ and inserting ‘5’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(ii) by striking ‘under the supervision of the Customs Service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(C) in the text immediately following subparagraph (D), by inserting ‘as calculated under subsection (r)(4)(A),’ after ‘merchandise,’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(2) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(A) by striking ‘under the supervision of the Customs Service’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(B) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: ‘Transfers of merchandise may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer shall be required.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(d) Proof of Exportation- Section 313(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (
‘(i) Proof of Exportation- A person claiming drawback under this section shall, as proof of exportation, maintain the record of exportation entered in the automated export system of the United States Government or, if the exporter is unable to use that system, records kept in the normal course of business similar to the information contained in such record of exportation.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink
(e) Unused Merchandise Drawback- Section 313(j) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (