DHS Extends COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Non-U.S. Travelers Entering the United States via Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals - Department Homeland Security
WASHINGTON – Today (4/21/22), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will extend temporary Title 19 requirements and continue to require non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request. These requirements will continue to apply to non-U.S. travelers who are traveling both for essential and non-essential reasons, and do not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.
These requirements were extended in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several other federal agencies. According to CDC, vaccines remain the most effective public health measure to protect people from severe illness or death from COVID-19, slow the transmission of COVID-19, and reduce the likelihood of new COVID-19 variants emerging.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to protecting public health while facilitating lawful trade and travel, which is essential to our economic security,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “That is why, after consulting with CDC and other federal agencies, DHS will continue to require non-U.S. individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination upon request.”
Non-U.S. travelers entering the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, must continue to:
• verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status;
• provide, upon request, proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website;
• present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative(WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card; and,
• be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection.
COVID-19 testing is not required to enter the United States via a land port of entry or ferry terminal.
The continuation of these requirements helps protect the health and safety of both the personnel at the border and other travelers, as well as U.S. destination communities, and ensures that public health measures governing land travel align with those that govern incoming international air travel. DHS will closely monitor all relevant circumstances, including the effect of these requirements, and may amend or rescind the requirements at any time. In determining whether and when to rescind this order, DHS anticipates that it will take account of whether the vaccination requirement for non-U.S. air travelers remains in place. This announcement does not affect requirements for entry into the United States by air.
To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers arriving or departing from air, land, or sea ports of entry are encouraged to use the Simplified Arrival or Mobile Passport Control mobile applications, which use facial comparison technology for more expedient processing. Documented non-citizens may also apply for and manage their I-94s through the CBP OneTM mobile application, a single portal for accessing CBP mobile applications and services.
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Federal Register Notices:
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Heavy Walled Rectangular Welded Carbon Steel Pipes and Tubes From the Republic of Turkey: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Changed Circumstances Review
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Products Containing Pyraclostrobin and Components Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Terminating the Investigation in Its Entirety Based Upon a Consent Order Stipulation; Issuance of Consent Orders; Termination of Investigation
• Notice of the Commission's Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Terminating the Investigation on the Basis of Settlement; Termination of the Investigation; Certain Adalimumab, Processes for Manufacturing or Relating to Same, and Products Containing Same
• Certain Chocolate Milk Powder and Packaging Thereof; Notice of a Commission Determination Not To Review an Initial Determination Granting a Motion To Amend the Complainant and Notice of Investigation and To Review an Initial Determination Extending the Target Date
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Polyethylene Retail Carrier Bags From the People's Republic of China: Preliminary Determination of No Shipments and Rescission of Review in Part; 2020-2021
• Subsidy Programs Provided by Countries Exporting Softwood Lumber and Softwood Lumber Products to the United States; Request for Comment
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Sodium Nitrite From India and Russia; Scheduling of the Final Phase of Countervailing Duty and Antidumping Duty Investigations
• Antidumping or Countervailing Duty Investigations, Orders, or Reviews: Certain Cold-Rolled Steel Flat Products From the Republic of Korea: Final Results of Countervailing Duty Administrative Review; 2019; Correction
• Investigations; Determinations, Modifications, and Rulings, etc.: Certain Apparatus and Methods of Opening Containers; Notice of a Final Determination Finding Violations of Section 337; Issuance of a General Exclusion Order; Termination of the Investigation
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Commerce Department Identifies First Belarusian and More Russian Aircraft Exported to Belarus and Russia in Apparent Violation of U.S. Export Controls - Department of Commerce
Updated List Continues Effort to Notify Public that Providing Any Form of Service to These Aircraft is Also a Likely Violation of U.S. Law
Today, the U.S. Commerce Department, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), publicly identified 10 additional aircraft in likely violation of U.S. export controls, including the first seven Belarusian owned/operated commercial aircraft identified since restrictions on Belarus were tightened via regulation effective on April 8, 2022. BIS is also updating the tail numbers of 32 planes already on the list to account for the planes’ purported re-registration in Russia. BIS has also authorized two planes to leave Russia and they will be removed from the list. The aircraft identified on the list have flown into Russia and/or Belarus in apparent violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
BIS is continuing its efforts to notify the public that providing any form of service to these aircraft requires authorization. Absent such authorization, any person anywhere—including within Belarus or Russia—risks violating the EAR and would be subject to BIS enforcement actions, which could include substantial jail time, fines, loss of export privileges, or other restrictions. By restricting these aircraft from receiving any service, for example including from abroad, international flights from Belarus or Russia on these aircraft are effectively grounded. This ongoing effort is part of BIS’s response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, which Belarus has enabled and supported.
“Maintaining this list reinforces to Putin and his enablers that they are isolated from the world, and anyone who seeks to enable their aggression or flout our export controls, does so at their own peril,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. “The Department of Commerce will continue to exercise our legal authorities and ensure this message remains clear. We will continue working with our allies and partners to cut Russia and Belarus off from the global economy to maximize pressure on Putin and his military operations.”
“Vladimir Putin and his enablers have made themselves pariahs as a result of their brutal violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. The Commerce Department, along with our growing coalition of allies and partners, will continue to ensure that they pay the price for the untold devastation they are wreaking upon the region and the people of Ukraine.” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “By rejecting the international rule of law, Russia and Belarus have made it clear that they do not deserve the benefits of participating in the global economy, and that includes international travel. So long as Russia continues this unwarranted assault, Commerce will continue to take consequential actions to hold them to account.”
“New restrictions on Belarusian aircraft were put in place just last Friday, and less than a week later we’re already telling the world that servicing specific Belarusian planes is a no go,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod. “As U.S. export controls continue to ratchet up given Russia’s continued brutal war in Ukraine, we will continue to swiftly and vigorously enforce them.”
Effective March 2, 2022, BIS imposed expansive and stringent controls on aviation-related items destined to Belarus, including for specified aircraft or aircraft parts, similar to those imposed on Russia on February 24, 2022. The March 2, 2022, rule also removed license exception availability for any aircraft registered in, owned, or controlled by, or under charter or lease by Russia or a national of Russia, thus imposing a license requirement for Russian owned/operated aircraft.
On April 8, 2022, BIS issued a rule that similarly removed license exception availability for any aircraft registered in, owned, or controlled by, or under charter or lease by Belarus or a national of Belarus, also imposing a license requirement for these Belarusian owned/operated aircraft. As a result, any aircraft manufactured in the United States, or that is manufactured in a foreign country and includes more than 25% U.S.-origin controlled content, is subject to a license requirement if such aircraft is destined for Belarus or Russia.
Since April 9, 2022, based on publicly available information, BIS has identified a number of commercial aircraft being reexported from third countries to Belarus, all of which are owned or controlled by, or under charter or lease to, Belarus or Belarusian nationals, and has listed those aircraft below (in bold). This is in addition to BIS’s on-going identification of Russian aircraft via public listing that have likely violated the EAR since March 2, 2022.
The list below has been updated (with additions in bold) and currently totals 153 aircraft with 146 Russian-owned/operated aircraft and seven Belarusian owned/operated aircraft. Accordingly, any subsequent actions taken with regard to any of the listed aircraft, including, but not limited to, refueling, maintenance, repair, or the provision of spare parts or services, are subject to the prohibitions outlined in General Prohibition Ten of the EAR (Section 736.2(b)(10)), which provides:
(10) General Prohibition Ten - Proceeding with transactions with knowledge that a violation has occurred or is about to occur (Knowledge Violation to Occur). You may not sell, transfer, export, reexport, finance, order, buy, remove, conceal, store, use, loan, dispose of, transport, forward, or otherwise service, in whole or in part, any item subject to the EAR and exported or to be exported with knowledge that a violation of the Export Administration Regulations, the Export Administration Act or any order, license, License Exception, or other authorization issued thereunder has occurred, is about to occur, or is intended to occur in connection with the item. Nor may you rely upon any license or License Exception after notice to you of the suspension or revocation of that license or exception. There are no License Exceptions to this General Prohibition Ten in part 740 of the EAR.
Please note this list is not exhaustive and the restrictions also apply in any situation in which a person has knowledge that a violation of the EAR has occurred, is about to occur, or is intended to occur in connection with an aircraft or other item that is subject to the EAR, whether or not such aircraft or other item is included on this list. This list will continue to be updated as circumstances warrant.
BIS has also updated the tail numbers of aircraft previously identified in the table below to reflect their purported re-registration in Russia (also in bold) and also modified the list to remove aircraft that have been authorized by BIS to leave Russia. Accordingly, the following aircraft have been removed from the list: VQ-BTK (Azur Air) and VP-BJR (Nordwind).
Additional BIS resources on export controls implemented in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are available at: https://bis.doc.gov/index.php/policy-guidance/country-guidance/Russia-belarus
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Proposed Modification of One Ruling Letter and Proposed Revocation of Treatment Relating to the Tariff Classification of Men's Full Zip Hoodie (Jacket) - U.S. Customs Bulletin Weekly
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed modification of one ruling letter and proposed revocation of treatment relating to the tariff classification of men’s full zip hoodie (jacket).
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 625(c), Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1625(c)), as amended by section 623 of title VI (Customs Modernization) of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 103–182, 107 Stat. 2057), this notice advises interested parties that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intends to modify one ruling letter concerning tariff classification of men’s full zip hoodie jacket under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Similarly, CBP intends to revoke any treatment previously accorded by CBP to substantially identical transactions. Comments on the correctness of the proposed actions are invited.
DATE: Comments must be received on or before May 13, 2022.
ADDRESS: Written comments are to be addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, Attention: Erin Frey, Commercial and Trade Facilitation Division, 90 K St., NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20229–1177. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is also allowing commenters to submit electronic comments to the following email address: 1625Comments@cbp.dhs.gov. All comments should reference the title of the proposed notice at issue and the Customs Bulletin volume, number and date of publication. Due to the relevant COVID-19-related restrictions, CBP has limited its on-site public inspection of public comments to 1625 notices. Arrangements to inspect submitted comments should be made in advance by calling Ms. Erin Frey at (202) 325–1757.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Rhea, Food, Textiles and Marking Branch, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, at (202) 325–0035.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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FDA Considers New Approach to Improve Safe Disposal of Prescription Opioid Analgesics, Decrease Unnecessary Exposure to Unused Medication - Food & Drug Administration
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it is seeking public comment on a potential change that would require opioid analgesics used in outpatient settings to be dispensed with prepaid mail-back envelopes and that pharmacists provide patient education on safe disposal of opioids. This potential modification to the existing Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy would provide a convenient, additional disposal option for patients beyond those already available such as flushing, commercially available in-home disposal products, collection kiosks and takeback events.
“The FDA is committed to addressing the opioid crisis on all fronts, including exploring new approaches that have the potential to decrease unnecessary exposure to opioids and prevent new cases of addiction. Prescribing opioids for durations and doses that do not properly match the clinical needs of the patient not only increases the chances for misuse, abuse and overdose, but it also increases the likelihood of unnecessary exposure to unused medications,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. "As we explore ways to further address this issue more broadly, the mail-back envelope requirement under consideration for these unused medications would complement current disposal programs and provide meaningful and attainable steps to improve the safe use and disposal.”
Patients commonly report having unused opioid analgesics following surgical procedures, thereby creating unfortunate opportunities for nonmedical use, accidental exposure, overdose and potentially increasing new cases of opioid addiction. Since many Americans gain access to opioids for the first time through friends or relatives who have unused opioids, requiring a mail-back envelope be provided with each prescription could reduce the amount of unused opioid analgesics in patients’ homes. Data show educating patients about disposal options may increase the disposal rate of unused opioids and that providing a disposal option along with education could further increase that rate.
Mail-back envelopes have several favorable characteristics. They do not require patients to mix medications with water, chemicals or other substances nor use other common at-home disposal techniques. Opioid analgesics sent back to Drug Enforcement Administration-registered facilities in mail-back envelopes do not enter the water supply and landfills (instead, they are incinerated). The nondescript mail-back envelopes provided would be postage paid, offering patients a free disposal option. Additionally, there are long-standing regulations and policies in place to ensure that mail-back envelopes are fit for that purpose and can safely and securely transport unused medicines from the patient’s home to the location where they will be destroyed.
The change under consideration underscores the agency’s efforts to address the dynamic facets of the opioid crisis and supports the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, which focuses on four priority areas — primary prevention, harm reduction, evidence-based treatment and recovery support.
The FDA is accepting public comments from interested parties, including patients, patient advocates, health care professionals, academics, researchers, the pharmaceutical industry and other government entities until June 21, 2022; however, comments are welcome at any time.
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Report Identity Theft and Get a Recovery Plan - Federal Trade Commission/Identity Theft
If someone uses your personal information to open accounts, file taxes, or buy things, that’s identity theft. Report it.