UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Changes to Import Regulations

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Changes to Import Regulations

Starting Monday January 7 2013 the level for low value manifest clearance into the US is raised from $ 2,000 to $ 2,500. The low value breakdown now is as follows:
De minimus $1-$200  Duty Free
Informal  $201-$2,500 Duties due (Pre-alert to us.duty@tnt.com required for DDP shipments)
The new rule also allows for manifest clearance for the following commodities where this was not allowed before:
Tariff ch. 39-40 Plastics and Articles thereof
Tariff ch. 41-43 Rawhide, Leathers, Travel goods, handbags, etc.
Tariff ch. 50-63 Textiles and articles thereof
Tariff ch. 64-67 Footwear ,etc.
Tariff ch.   94 Furniture, bedding, etc.
The formal entry rule is still in effect for below items:
tariff ch. 15  Animal or Vegetable  Fats and Oil,
tariff ch.  16-24 Prepared foodstuffs, beverages, etc.

Above changes will greatly improve service to some of our Customers. ( i.e. Previously we required TAX ID’s  and POA for any textiles over $ 250, now this is only required after $ 2,500)
TNT USA also increased the value of unrestricted shipments cleared under TNT USA’s Customs Bond. Previously this was up to $ 10,000, this is now up to $ 50,000.
$2,500-$ 50,000   Only TAX ID# required from Consignee for unrestricted Merchandise
>$ 50,000   Power of Attorney required from Consignee
Power of Attorney is always required if Consignee wants to claim any Trade Agreements or for Restricted Merchandise (Fish & Wildlife, FDA, USDA, EPA, etc.)
For details of this and all other clearance related broadcasts, please visit the dedicated Customs Broadcasts expressnet page below:
http://expressnet.tnt.com/content/intranet/en_ho/site/home/functions/global-networks-and-operations/Customs/Broadcasts.html