International Trade

Yesterday the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls published an update to its operations as follows:

Compliance/Registration

• Effective March 13, 2020, a temporary suspension of the requirement in ITAR Parts 122 and 129 to renew registration as a manufacturer, exporter, and/or broker and pay a fee on an annual basis by extending ITAR registrations expiring on February 29, March 31, April 30, May 31, and June 30, 2020 for two months from the original date of expiration.
• DDTC Compliance is now granting an additional 30 days for responses to its request-for-information letters related to voluntary and directed disclosure matters.  DDTC Compliance is also considering extensions for the submission of full voluntary disclosures on a case-by-case basis.  Extension requests should be sent via email to DTCC-CaseStatus@state.gov on company letterhead in PDF format.
• DDTC is also pursuing a one-time temporary reduction in registration fees for certain categories of DDTC registrants.  More information on any change will be provided on DDTC’s website.

USMCA Interim Implementing Instructions
COVID-19 or not the United States Mexico Canada agreement’s (USMCA) implementation date is fast approaching. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued Interim Implementing Instructions to provide early guidance on the new requirements under the USMCA, including on claiming USMCA preferential treatment for goods. The Final Implementing Instructions will be released prior to the date the USMCA enters into force.

For the Interim Implementing Instructions click here. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions.

On April 18, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order providing authority to the Secretary of the Treasury, under 19 U.S.C. § 1318, to extend the deadline for payments of certain estimated duties, taxes, and fees for importers suffering significant financial hardship during the national emergency created by the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Pursuant to the Executive Order, the Department of the Treasury and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) jointly issued a Temporary Postponement of the Time to Deposit Certain Estimated Duties, Taxes, and Fees During the National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) Outbreak (the “Temporary Final Rule”), which temporarily postpones for 90 days the deadline for importers with a significant financial hardship to deposit certain estimated duties, taxes, and fees that they would ordinarily be obligated to pay as of the date of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption.