Customs reauthorization bill goes into effect

The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 streamlines Customs and Border Protection procedures, reduces certain cross-border shipping costs, and strengthens enforcement of intellectual property rights, antidumping and countervailing duties.    The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, also known as the Customs reauthorization bill, goes into effect today (March 10).
   The legislation streamlines Customs and Border Protection procedures, reduces certain cross-border shipping costs and strengthens trade enforcement of intellectual property rights, antidumping and countervailing duty violations.
   Among other things, the bill:
     • Reduces paperwork burdens for low-value shipments by increasing the de minimis allowance from $200 to $800;
     • Continues support of the Automated Commercial Environment to modernize import/export processing and creation of a “single window” for other agencies with border jurisdiction to more easily clear shipments;
     • Allows for duty-free treatment for any exported product returned to the U.S. within three years of being exported;
     • And promotes small business exports by authorizing the state trade expansion program and improving state and federal export promotion coordination.