Recent Articles

Is it Time for a New GSP?

Lawrence Friedman
April 24, 2009 15:38

Several organizations ranging from non-governmental relief agencies to retailers have written to USTR Ron Kirk suggesting first that the USTR pursue early renewals for all U.S. unilateral preferences to support the world's poorest countries.  The letter also suggests that the Generalized System of ...

My Ironic Carbon Footprint

Lawrence Friedman
April 24, 2009 15:21

Today, for the first time this year, I rode my bike to work.  Well, sort of.I haven't been great about getting exercise in the now officially over off season.  So, I was leery of just heading out of my garage for the office.  From door to desk, it is 20 miles.  Instead, I loaded the bike into the ca...

No New NAFTA Negotiations

Lawrence Friedman
April 23, 2009 17:46

I think I already tweeted this (www.twitter.com/customslawblog).  I'm finding it difficult to figure out what to blog and what to just tweet.  Tweets are more toss-off little items that don't merit a blog post.  On the other hand, sometimes a simple link to some news item is important and should ge...

NYT: Drugs in the FAST Lane

Lawrence Friedman
April 23, 2009 17:36

Another example of a shipment of illegal drugs from Mexico coming through via the Free And Secure Trade channels.  These are important examples of two things.  First, CBP being alert and doing its job by finding these attempts at smuggling.  Second, the fact that ultimately C-TPAT, FAST, and other t...

Overdue Updates

Lawrence Friedman
April 22, 2009 22:58

I promised to get back to you on two things that I did not do.  I've been criticized in blog comments before for this, and I realize I should be careful about it.  On the other hand, it is my blog and sometimes I lose interest in something.I have updated my post on the decision regarding the Byrd A...

Last Thing

Lawrence Friedman
April 19, 2009 03:09

Three posts in one night! I am trying to make up with you.I don't have the details on this because the ruling seems to be unpublished as of today. But, I know I read a summary in the Customs Record. Look for H019364. The issue is whether the toys put inside boxes of cereal have to have their...

Value Adjsutment Case

Lawrence Friedman
April 19, 2009 02:55

I like the tenacity of VW in working on its efforts to get value adjustments for defective cars imported into the U.S. There have been several cases on this, including cases by Saab as well. The general theory makes lots of sense. If VW, Saab, or anyone else, contracts to purchase defect free...

NAFTA Ruling

Lawrence Friedman
April 19, 2009 02:44

I saw a couple rulings this week that I think are interesting, so I will pass them on. Plus, I feel like it's been too long since I posted and that makes me think you are all off reading some other customs blogs. I guess I am very insecure.The first ruling is HQ H044166 (1/23/2009). This ruling...

Suit Filed Against Sureties

Lawrence Friedman
April 13, 2009 05:31

This is too interesting to wait for me to digest it.  On April 10, an 82 page complaint was filed in an attempt to start a class action in the Court of International Trade.  The complaint alleges that several sureties negligently issued bonds in antidumping new shipper reviews to companies that w...

Commercial Shipment of Pot

Lawrence Friedman
April 13, 2009 05:00

This story was tipped to me from a couple sources in response to my previous post about how C-TPAT is being marketed wrong.  I'll give the nod to the Blog Man O' Law for the link.  The article shows that yes, indeed, smuggling happens in commercial shipments.  Apparently, it also happens in the Fr...