Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1907
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Tiberi, Patrick J. [R-OH-12]
Introduced: 2015-04-21
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Advisory bodies

Arab-Israeli relations

Business records

Canada

Civil actions and liability

Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits

Computers and information technology

Congressional oversight

Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Customs enforcement

Department of Homeland Security

Department of the Treasury

Employment discrimination and employee rights

Executive agency funding and structure

Foreign and international corporations

Free trade and trade barriers

Gaza Strip

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Human rights

Intellectual property

Interest, dividends, interest rates

International law and treaties

International organizations and cooperation

Israel

Judicial procedure and administration

Latin America

Manufacturing

Mexico

Middle East

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Palestinians

Performance measurement

Product safety and quality

Public contracts and procurement

Public-private cooperation

Sanctions

Securities

Small business

State and local government operations

Tariffs

Trade agreements and negotiations

Trade restrictions

U.S. and foreign investments

User charges and fees

West Bank

Worker safety and health
Latest action: action_date: 2015-05-14
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 80.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-04-21
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 </b></p> <p>This bill directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that CBP partnership programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, provide trade benefits to importers, exporters, and certain other private sector entities that meet program requirements.</p> <p>The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the effectiveness of CBP enforcement of U.S. customs and trade laws (trade enforcement).</p> <p>CBP shall establish priorities and performance standards to measure levels of achievement of customs modernization, the movement of merchandise into and out of the United States (trade facilitation), and trade enforcement functions and programs.</p> <p>CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shall:</p> <ul> <li> establish educational seminars to improve CBP classification and appraisal of imported articles, trade enforcement, and facilitation of international trade; and </li> <li>develop biennially a joint strategic plan for improving trade enforcement and trade facilitation.</li> </ul> <p>This bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) to authorize appropriations for FY2016-FY2018 to complete the development and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system.</p> <p>This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to work with the head of each agency participating in the International Trade Data System (ITDS) and the Interagency Steering Committee to ensure that, among other duties, it:</p> <ul> <li>develops and maintains the necessary information technology infrastructure to support the operation of the ITDS,</li> <li>submit all data to the ITDS electronically, and</li> <li>arrange to share information between each agency and the CBP. </li> </ul> <p>Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall jointly establish a Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee.</p> <p>CBP shall develop and implement CBP-wide Centers of Excellence and Expertise.</p> <p>DHS shall establish within the CBP Office of International Trade a Commercial Targeting Division (including National Targeting and Analysis Groups) to conduct commercial risk assessment targeting and, when needed, issue trade alerts with respect to cargo destined for the United States. </p> <p>The Treasury Inspector General shall report to Congress on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures. </p> <p>DHS and Treasury shall report jointly to Congress on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond. </p> <p>DHS shall establish a program to assign importer of record numbers. </p> <p>CBP shall establish a new importer program that adjusts bond amounts for new importers based on the level of risk assessed for revenue protection.</p> <p>The Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe minimum standards to require customs brokers to implement, and importers (including nonresident importers) to comply with, reasonable procedures for collecting information to identify U.S. and non-resident importers seeking to import merchandise into the United States. </p> <p>The CBP Commissioner shall report to Congress recommendations for: </p> <ul> <li> determining the most effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers with accurate information, comparable to that required of U.S. nationals, on the identity of foreign nationals seeking to import merchandise into the United States; and</li> <li> establishing a system for such brokers and agencies to review information maintained by relevant federal agencies to verify the identity of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States. </li> </ul> <p>An interagency Import Safety Working Group is established.</p> <p>DHS shall develop a joint import safety rapid response plan that sets forth protocols for the CBP to: </p> <ul> <li> coordinate federal responses to cargo entering the United States that poses a threat to the health or safety of U.S. consumers, and </li> <li> use in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions and responses to such an incident. </li> </ul> <p>Upon suspicion that merchandise is being imported into the United States in violation of U.S. trademark or copyright infringement laws, CBP shall provide the trademark or copyright owner any information appearing on the merchandise and its packaging and labels, including any unredacted images of them, if testing by the owner would assist in determining a violation. </p> <p>DHS shall establish within ICE a National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center to coordinate U.S. activities to prevent the import and export of goods that infringe intellectual property rights.</p> <p>CBP, ICE, and DHS shall take specified actions for enforcement of intellectual property rights.</p> <p><i>Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act or PROTECT Act</i></p> <p>The Department of Homeland Security shall establish within the Office of International Trade of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division (including a National Targeting and Analysis Group) to prevent and counter evasion of antidumping or countervailing duty orders with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States.</p> <p>The Group shall establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards for: </p> <ul> <li> evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise, and </li> <li> issuing Trade Alerts to U.S. ports of entry directing further inspection of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with U.S. trade remedy laws.</li> </ul> <p>The Department of the Treasury shall negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with customs authorities of foreign countries to prevent evasion of U.S. and foreign trade remedy laws. </p> <p>This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prescribe procedures for the administering authority (the Department of Commerce, or any other U.S. officer responsible for carrying out the duties of the administering authority) to initiate an antidumping duty or countervailing duty investigation with respect to merchandise imported into the United States upon:</p> <ul> <li>its own initiation, or</li> <li>the filing of a petition by interested parties or referral by the CBP Commissioner. </li> </ul> <p>The administering authority, in cases of an affirmative final determination, shall instruct the CBP to:</p> <ul> <li>assess duties on the covered merchandise,</li> <li>reliquidate each entry of the merchandise, and</li> <li>reassess the importer's bond or other security.</li> </ul> <p>This bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise requirements for the identification of U.S. trade expansion priorities.</p> <p>The United States Trade Representative (USTR) shall consult with Congress to prioritize, investigate, and resolve acts, policies, or practices of foreign countries that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the World Trade Organization Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or that otherwise creates barriers to U.S. goods, services, or investment.</p> <p>The USTR may take action to suspend concessions or other obligations under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act if:</p> <ul> <li> certain action has terminated that was taken by the USTR to protect U.S. rights under any trade agreement or to eliminate an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country that violates that agreement or burdens or restricts U.S. commerce;</li> <li>the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of such action requests the USTR for reinstatement; and </li> <li>the USTR meets certain requirements.</li> </ul> <p>The U.S. International Trade Commission shall make an import monitoring tool available on a website to allow public access to data on the volume and value of imported goods to assess whether such data has changed over time. </p> <p> The general de minimis aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of duty-free articles imported by one person on one day increases from $200 to $800. </p> <p>This bill also prescribes or revises requirements under the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the United States for:</p> <ul> <li> certain penalties for customs brokers convicted of an act of terrorism,</li> <li>duty-free treatment of certain federal property exported and reimported without having been advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad,</li> <li>duties on warranty repairs or alterations of articles exported from and then returned to the United States,</li> <li>exemption from duty treatment of the residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States, </li> <li>drawback (refund of paid customs duties) on eligible merchandise imported into the United States and later exported or destroyed, and</li> <li>elimination of the consumptive demand exception to the prohibition on the importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor.</li> </ul> <p>Certain trade policies regarding Israel are declared. </p> <p>COBRA is amended to allow, between July 8 and July 28, 2025, specified customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States.</p> <p>The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act is also amended to increase from 0.21% ad valorem to 0.3464% ad valorem, for the period between July 1 and July 14, 2025, the customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States.

action_date: 2015-05-14
action_desc: Reported to House amended, Part I
text: <p><b>Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 </b></p> <p>TITLE I--TRADE FACILITATION AND TRADE ENFORCEMENT</p> <p>(Sec. 101) This bill directs the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure that CBP partnership programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, provide trade benefits to importers, exporters, and certain other private sector entities that meet program requirements.</p> <p>(Sec. 102) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall report to Congress on the effectiveness of CBP enforcement of U.S. customs and trade laws (trade enforcement).</p> <p>(Sec. 103) CBP shall establish priorities and performance standards to measure levels of achievement of customs modernization, the movement of merchandise into and out of the United States (trade facilitation), and trade enforcement functions and programs.</p> <p>(Sec. 104) CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shall:</p> <ul> <li> establish educational seminars to improve CBP classification and appraisal of imported articles, trade enforcement, and facilitation of international trade; and </li> <li>develop biennially a joint strategic plan for improving trade enforcement and trade facilitation.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 106) This bill amends the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) to authorize appropriations for FY2016-FY2018 from the Customs Commercial and Homeland Security Automation Account to complete the development and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system.</p> <p>The Customs Border Security Act of 2002 is amended to require CBP to report to Congress on:</p> <ul> <li>its incorporation of all core trade processing capabilities into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system to conform with admissibility criteria of federal agencies participating in the International Trade Data System (ITDS); <li>the components of the National Customs Automation Program that have not been implemented; and <li>any additional Program components it has initiated to complete the development, establishment, and implementation of the computer system.</li> </ul> <p>The CBP must update the report as well as:</p> <ul> <li>evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the computer system, and <li>detail monthly the percentage of trade processed in the Automated Commercial Environment since September 30, 2016. </li> </ul> <p>The GAO must report to Congress on: </p> <ul> <li>the progress of other federal agencies in accessing and utilizing the Automated Commercial Environment, and <li>the potential cost savings to the government and importers and exporters and the potential benefits to trade enforcement if the identified elements are implemented. </ul> <p>(Sec. 107) This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to require the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) to work with the head of each agency participating in the ITDS and the Interagency Steering Committee to ensure that, among other duties, it:</p> <ul> <li>develops and maintains the necessary information technology infrastructure to support the operation of the ITDS,</li> <li>submits all data to the ITDS electronically, and</li> <li>arranges to share information between each agency and the CBP. </li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 108) It shall be a U.S. negotiating objective in any negotiation for a mutual recognition arrangement with a foreign country on partnership programs to seek to ensure the compatibility of that country's partnership programs with CBP partnership programs to enhance trade facilitation and trade enforcement.</p> <p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall consult with specified congressional committees within 30 days before initiating negotiations and within 30 days before entering into an agreement. <p>(Sec. 109) Treasury and DHS shall jointly establish a Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee.</p> <p>(Sec. 110) CBP shall develop and implement CBP-wide Centers of Excellence and Expertise to enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States.</p> <p>(Sec. 111) DHS shall establish within the CBP Office of International Trade a Commercial Targeting Division (including National Targeting and Analysis Groups) to conduct commercial risk assessment targeting and, when needed, issue trade alerts with respect to cargo destined for the United States. </p> <p>(Sec. 112) The Treasury Inspector General shall report biennially to Congress on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures. </p> <p>(Sec. 113) DHS and Treasury shall report jointly to Congress on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond. </p> <p>(Sec. 114) DHS shall establish a program to assign importer of record numbers. </p> <p>(Sec. 115) CBP shall establish a new importer program that adjusts bond amounts for new importers based on the level of risk assessed for protection of federal revenue.</p> <p>(Sec. 116) The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended to direct Treasury to prescribe minimum standards to require customs brokers to implement, and importers (including nonresident importers) to comply with, reasonable procedures for collecting information to identify U.S. and non-resident importers seeking to import merchandise into the United States. </p> <p>The CBP Commissioner shall report to Congress recommendations for: </p> <ul> <li> determining the most effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers with accurate information, comparable to that required of U.S. nationals, on the identity of foreign nationals seeking to import merchandise into the United States; and</li> <li> establishing a system for such brokers and agencies to review information maintained by relevant federal agencies to verify the identity of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States. </li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 117) CBP shall require non-resident importers that are not validated Tier 2 or Tier 3 participants in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program to designate a resident agent in the United States with a power of attorney to accept service of process against the non-resident importer in connection with the importation of merchandise. Civil and criminal penalties are prescribed for failure to make this designation.</p> <p> TITLE II--IMPORT HEALTH AND SAFETY</p> <p>(Sec. 201) An interagency Import Safety Working Group is established.</p> <p>(Sec. 202) DHS shall develop, and appropriately update, a joint import safety rapid response plan that sets forth protocols for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to: </p> <ul> <li> coordinate federal responses to cargo entering the United States that poses a threat to the health or safety of U.S. consumers, and </li> <li> use in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions and responses to such an incident. </li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 203) CBP shall ensure that CBP personnel assigned to U.S. ports of entry are effectively trained to ensure the safety and expeditious entry of merchandise into the United States. </p> <p>TITLE III--IMPORT-RELATED PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS </p> <p>(Sec. 302) The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended to declare that, upon suspicion that merchandise is being imported into the United States in violation of U.S. trademark or copyright infringement laws, the CBP shall provide the trademark or copyright owner any information appearing on the merchandise and its packaging and labels, including any unredacted images of them, if testing by the owner would assist in determining a violation. The CBP shall not provide such information if it would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or national security.</p> <p>(Sec. 303) A technology, product, service, device, or its component that is imported into the United States to circumvent U.S. copyright laws may be seized and forfeited by the CBP.</p> <p>(Sec. 304) DHS shall authorize a process for the enforcement of a copyright of an owner who has applied for registration of merchandise with the U.S. Copyright Office to the same extent as if the copyright were registered with the Office, including by sharing information, images, samples of the suspected infringing merchandise.</p> <p>(Sec. 305) DHS shall establish within ICE a National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center to coordinate U.S. activities to prevent the import and export of goods that infringe intellectual property rights.</p> <p>(Sec. 306) The CBP and ICE shall:</p> <ul> <li>add specified information to the joint strategic plan for enforcement of intellectual property rights; and</li> <li>assign sufficient personnel throughout the CBP and ICE to prevent the importation of merchandise infringing intellectual property rights, including three full-time ICE employees to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 308) The CBP <em>s</em>hall ensure that CBP officers are trained effectively to detect and identify merchandise destined for the United States that infringes intellectual property rights, including through use of donated hardware, software, equipment, and similar technologies.</p> <p>(Sec. 309) DHS shall coordinate with competent law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries, particularly by information-sharing, to enhance their efforts and U.S. efforts to enforce intellectual property rights.</p> <p>(Sec. 310) The CBP and ICE shall report annually to Congress on intellectual property rights enforcement.</p> <p>(Sec. 311) DHS shall carry out an educational campaign to inform travelers entering or leaving the United States about the legal, economic, and public health and safety implications of acquiring merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights outside the United States and importing it into the United States in violation of U.S. law.</p> <p> TITLE IV--PREVENTION OF EVASION OF ANTIDUMPING AND COUNTERVAILING DUTY ORDERS </p> <p><i>Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act or the PROTECT Act</i></p> <p>(Sec. 403) This title applies to goods from Mexico and Canada as well as goods from elsewhere. </p> <p>Subtitle A--Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws </p> <p>(Sec. 411) DHS shall establish within the CBP Office of International Trade a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division (including a National Targeting and Analysis Group) to prevent and counter evasion of antidumping or countervailing duty orders with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States.</p> <p>The Group shall establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards for: </p> <ul> <li> evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise, and </li> <li> issuing Trade Alerts to U.S. ports of entry directing further inspection of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with U.S. trade remedy laws.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 412) Treasury, acting through the CBP, shall exercise all authorities to collect information needed to determine whether merchandise is entered into the United States through evasion.</p> <p>In cases where a person who filed an allegation concerning covered merchandise, a person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the United States through evasion, or a foreign producer or exporter of such merchandise has failed to comply with a request for information, Treasury shall make an inference adverse to the interests of that person when determining whether the merchandise has entered the United States through evasion.</p> <p>(Sec. 414) Treasury shall negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with customs authorities of foreign countries to prevent evasion of U.S. and foreign trade remedy laws.</p> <p>Subtitle B--Investigation of Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws </p> <p>(Sec. 421) This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to prescribe procedures for the administering authority (the Department of Commerce, or any other U.S. officer responsible for carrying out the duties of the administering authority) to initiate an antidumping duty or countervailing duty investigation with respect to merchandise imported into the United States upon:</p> <ul> <li>its own initiation, or</li> <li>the filing of a petition by interested parties or referral by the CBP. </li> </ul> <p>The administering authority, in cases of an affirmative preliminary determination, shall instruct the CBP to:</p> <ul> <li>suspend liquidation of each entry of the merchandise, and</li> <li>require the posting of a cash deposit. </ul> <p>The administering authority, in cases of an affirmative final determination, shall instruct the CBP to:</p> <ul> <li>assess duties on the covered merchandise,</li> <li>reliquidate each entry of the merchandise, and</li> <li>reassess the importer's bond or other security.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 422) The GAO shall assess for Congress, after two years, the effectiveness of this Act and the actions taken and procedures developed to prevent evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders.</p> <p>Subtitle C--Other Matters</p> <p>(Sec. 431) The CBP shall employ sufficient personnel with expertise and adequate training in and responsibility for preventing and investigating the entry of covered merchandise into the United States through evasion.</p> <p>(Sec. 432) The CBP shall report annually to Congress on its efforts to prevent and investigate the evasion of antidumping duty and countervailing duty orders with respect to covered merchandise entered into the United States.</p> <p>(Sec. 433) The administering authority shall no longer be required to direct the CBP to allow an importer to opt to post a bond or security in lieu of a cash deposit for each entry of merchandise exported into the United States until completion of the administering authority's review as to whether antidumping or countervailing duties shall be imposed on the merchandise. </p> <p>The weighted average dumping margin or individual countervailing duty rate determined for a new exporter (shipper) or producer of merchandise in a review shall be based solely on the bona fide U.S. sales made by the exporter or producer during the period of review. </p> <p>TITLE V--ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS</p> <p>(Sec. 501) The Trade Act of 1974 is amended to revise requirements for the identification of U.S. trade expansion priorities.</p> <p>The United States Trade Representative (USTR) shall consult with Congress to prioritize, investigate, and resolve acts, policies, or practices of foreign countries that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the World Trade Organization Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or that otherwise creates barriers to U.S. goods, services, or investment.</p> <p>(Sec. 502) The USTR may take action to suspend concessions or other obligations under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act if:</p> <ul> <li> enforcement action has terminated that was taken by the USTR to protect U.S. rights under any trade agreement or to eliminate an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country that violates that agreement or burdens or restricts U.S. commerce;</li> <li>the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of such action requests the USTR for reinstatement; and </li> <li>the USTR meets certain consultation requirements.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 503) The U.S. International Trade Commission shall make an import monitoring tool available on a website to allow public access to data on the volume and value of imported goods to assess whether such data has changed over time. </p> <p>TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS</p> <p> (Sec. 601) The general de minimis aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of duty-free articles imported by one person on one day increases from $200 to $800. </p> <p>(Sec. 602) Deadlines are prescribed for mandatory DHS consultation on trade and customs revenue functions with representatives of the business community involved in international trade and with Congress. </p> <p>(Sec. 603) This bill also prescribes or revises requirements under the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Harmonized Tariff Schedules of the United States for:</p> <ul> <li> certain penalties for customs brokers convicted of an act of terrorism,</li> <li>duty-free treatment of certain federal property exported and reimported without having been advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad,</li> <li>duties on warranty repairs or alterations of articles exported from and then returned to the United States,</li> <li>exemption from duty treatment of the residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States, </li> <li>drawback (refund of paid customs duties) on eligible merchandise imported into the United States and later exported or destroyed, and</li> <li>elimination of the consumptive demand exception to the prohibition on the importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 607) The President's annual report to Congress on the trade agreements program and the national trade policy agenda shall address the operation of all USTR-led interagency programs during the preceding year and for the year in which the report is submitted as well as pertinent additional matters.</p> <p>Directs the USTR to develop annual and quadrennial resource management and staffing plans. </p> <p>(Sec. 608) Certain trade policies regarding Israel are declared. </p> <p>(Sec. 609) The &quot;consumptive demand&quot; exception to the prohibition against importing merchandise made by convict, forced, or indentured labor under penal sanctions is repealed. This &quot;consumptive demand&quot; exception covers all goods, wares, articles, or merchandise mined, produced, or manufactured by such labor which are not mined, produced, or manufactured in such quantities in the United States as to meet U.S. consumptive demands.</p> <p>(Sec. 610) Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is amended to allow, between July 8 and July 28, 2025, specified customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States.</p> <p>The United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act is also amended to increase from 0.21% ad valorem to 0.3464% ad valorem, for the period between July 1 and July 14, 2025, the customs user fees for the processing of merchandise formally entered or released into the United States. <p>(Sec. 611) The CBP Commissioner shall report to Congress within one year after entering into any agreement under: <UL> <LI>the program for entering into reimbursable fee agreements for the provision of CBP services, upon the request of any persons, at existing CBP-serviced facilities, at new facilities, and at land border facilities; or <LI>the pilot program authorizing the CBP to enter into partnerships with private sector and government entities at ports of entry for certain services and to accept certain donations. </LI> </UL> <p>(Sec. 612) The CBP shall include in specified distributions to affected domestic producers of collected antidumping and countervailing duties any interest earned on such duties which is, or was, realized through application of any payment received by the CBP on or after October 1, 2014, under, or in connection with, any customs bond pursuant to a court order or judgment, or any settlement for any such bond. The distributions specified are all those made on or after the date of enactment of this Act of collected duties assessed on or after October 1, 2000, on entries made through September 30, 2007.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1907 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 21, 2015 Mr. Tiberi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security , Foreign Affairs , Financial Services , and the Judiciary , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To reauthorize trade facilitation and trade enforcement functions and activities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Title I—Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Sec. 101. Improving partnership programs. Sec. 102. Report on effectiveness of trade enforcement activities. Sec. 103. Priorities and performance standards for customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs. Sec. 104. Educational seminars to improve efforts to classify and appraise imported articles, to improve trade enforcement efforts, and to otherwise facilitate legitimate international trade. Sec. 105. Joint strategic plan. Sec. 106. Automated Commercial Environment. Sec. 107. International Trade Data System. Sec. 108. Consultations with respect to mutual recognition arrangements. Sec. 109. Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee. Sec. 110. Centers of Excellence and Expertise. Sec. 111. Commercial Targeting Division and National Targeting and Analysis Groups. Sec. 112. Report on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures. Sec. 113. Report on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond. Sec. 114. Importer of record program. Sec. 115. Establishment of new importer program. Sec. 116. Customs broker identification of importers. Sec. 117. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers. Title II—Import health and safety Sec. 201. Interagency import safety working group. Sec. 202. Joint import safety rapid response plan. Sec. 203. Training. Title III—Import-related protection of intellectual property rights Sec. 301. Definition of intellectual property rights. Sec. 302. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement. Sec. 303. Seizure of circumvention devices. Sec. 304. Enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of works for which copyright registration is pending. Sec. 305. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Sec. 306. Joint strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 307. Personnel dedicated to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 308. Training with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 309. International cooperation and information sharing. Sec. 310. Report on intellectual property rights enforcement. Sec. 311. Information for travelers regarding violations of intellectual property rights. Title IV—Prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Definitions. Sec. 403. Application to Canada and Mexico. Subtitle A—Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws Sec. 411. Trade remedy law enforcement division. Sec. 412. Collection of information on evasion of trade remedy laws. Sec. 413. Access to information. Sec. 414. Cooperation with foreign countries on preventing evasion of trade remedy laws. Sec. 415. Trade negotiating objectives. Subtitle B—Investigation of Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws Sec. 421. Procedures for investigation of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Sec. 422. Government Accountability Office report. Subtitle C—Other Matters Sec. 431. Allocation and training of personnel. Sec. 432. Annual report on prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Sec. 433. Addressing circumvention by new shippers. Title V—Additional enforcement provisions Sec. 501. Trade enforcement priorities. Sec. 502. Exercise of WTO authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under trade agreements. Sec. 503. Trade monitoring. Title VI—Miscellaneous provisions Sec. 601. De minimis value. Sec. 602. Consultation on trade and customs revenue functions. Sec. 603. Penalties for customs brokers. Sec. 604. Amendments to chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Sec. 605. Exemption from duty of residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States. Sec. 606. Drawback and refunds. Sec. 607. Office of the United States Trade Representative. Sec. 608. United States-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement. Sec. 609. Elimination of consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor; report. Sec. 610. Customs user fees. Sec. 611. Report on certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection agreements. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Automated Commercial Environment The term Automated Commercial Environment means the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ). (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Customs and trade laws of the United States The term customs and trade laws of the United States includes the following: (A) The Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1202 et seq. ). (B) Section 249 of the Revised Statutes ( 19 U.S.C. 3 ). (C) Section 2 of the Act of March 4, 1923 (42 Stat. 1453, chapter 251; 19 U.S.C. 6 ). (D) The Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2071 et seq. ). (E) Section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c ). (F) Section 251 of the Revised Statutes ( 19 U.S.C. 66 ). (G) Section 1 of the Act of June 26, 1930 (46 Stat. 817, chapter 617; 19 U.S.C. 68 ). (H) The Foreign Trade Zones Act ( 19 U.S.C. 81a et seq. ). (I) Section 1 of the Act of March 2, 1911 (36 Stat. 965, chapter 191; 19 U.S.C. 198 ). (J) The Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2102 et seq. ). (K) The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 ( 19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. ). (L) The North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3301 et seq. ). (M) The Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ). (N) The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq. ). (O) The Andean Trade Preference Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3201 et seq. ). (P) The African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. ). (Q) The Customs Enforcement Act of 1986 ( Public Law 99–570 ; 100 Stat. 3207–79). (R) The Customs and Trade Act of 1990 ( Public Law 101–382 ; 104 Stat. 629). (S) The Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 ( Public Law 95–410 ; 92 Stat. 888). (T) The Trade Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–210 ; 116 Stat. 933). (U) The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ). (V) The Act of March 28, 1928 (45 Stat. 374, chapter 266; 19 U.S.C. 2077 et seq. ) (W) The Act of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1263, chapter 566). (X) Any other provision of law implementing a trade agreement. (Y) Any other provision of law vesting customs revenue functions in the Secretary of the Treasury. (Z) Any other provision of law relating to trade facilitation or trade enforcement that is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on behalf of any Federal agency that is required to participate in the International Trade Data System. (AA) Any other provision of customs or trade law administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (4) Private sector entity The term private sector entity means— (A) an importer; (B) an exporter; (C) a forwarder; (D) an air, sea, or land carrier or shipper; (E) a contract logistics provider; (F) a customs broker; or (G) any other person (other than an employee of a government) affected by the implementation of the customs and trade laws of the United States. (5) Trade enforcement The term trade enforcement means the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States. (6) Trade facilitation The term trade facilitation refers to policies and activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to facilitating the movement of merchandise into and out of the United States in a manner that complies with the customs and trade laws of the United States. I Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement 101. Improving partnership programs (a) In general In order to advance the security, trade enforcement, and trade facilitation missions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Commissioner shall ensure that partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection established before the date of the enactment of this Act, such as the Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ), and partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection established after such date of enactment, provide trade benefits to private sector entities that meet the requirements for participation in those programs established by the Commissioner under this section. (b) Elements In developing and operating partnership programs under subsection (a), the Commissioner shall— (1) consult with private sector entities, the public, and other Federal agencies when appropriate, to ensure that participants in those programs receive commercially significant and measurable trade benefits, including providing pre-clearance of merchandise for qualified persons that demonstrate the highest levels of compliance with the customs and trade laws of the United States, regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other requirements the Commissioner determines to be necessary; (2) ensure an integrated and transparent system of trade benefits and compliance requirements for all partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (3) consider consolidating partnership programs in situations in which doing so would support the objectives of such programs, increase participation in such programs, enhance the trade benefits provided to participants in such programs, and enhance the allocation of the resources of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (4) coordinate with the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other Federal agencies with authority to detain and release merchandise entering the United States— (A) to ensure coordination in the release of such merchandise through the Automated Commercial Environment, or its predecessor, and the International Trade Data System; (B) to ensure that the partnership programs of those agencies are compatible with the partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (C) to develop criteria for authorizing the release, on an expedited basis, of merchandise for which documentation is required from one or more of those agencies to clear or license the merchandise for entry into the United States; and (D) to create pathways, within and among the appropriate Federal agencies, for qualified persons that demonstrate the highest levels of compliance to receive immediate clearance absent information that a transaction may pose a national security or compliance threat; and (5) ensure that trade benefits are provided to participants in partnership programs. (c) Report required Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and December 31 of each year thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) identifies each partnership program referred to in subsection (a); (2) for each such program, identifies— (A) the requirements for participants in the program; (B) the commercially significant and measurable trade benefits provided to participants in the program; (C) the number of participants in the program; and (D) in the case of a program that provides for participation at multiple tiers, the number of participants at each such tier; (3) identifies the number of participants enrolled in more than one such partnership program; (4) assesses the effectiveness of each such partnership program in advancing the security, trade enforcement, and trade facilitation missions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, based on historical developments, the level of participation in the program, and the evolution of benefits provided to participants in the program; (5) summarizes the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to work with other Federal agencies with authority to detain and release merchandise entering the United States to ensure that partnership programs of those agencies are compatible with partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (6) summarizes criteria developed with those agencies for authorizing the release, on an expedited basis, of merchandise for which documentation is required from one or more of those agencies to clear or license the merchandise for entry into the United States; (7) summarizes the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to work with private sector entities and the public to develop and improve partnership programs referred to in subsection (a); (8) describes measures taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make private sector entities aware of the trade benefits available to participants in such programs; and (9) summarizes the plans, targets, and goals of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to such programs for the 2 years following the submission of the report. 102. Report on effectiveness of trade enforcement activities (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of trade enforcement activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (b) Contents The report required by subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the use of resources, results of audits and verifications, targeting, organization, and training of personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (2) a description of trade enforcement activities to address undervaluation, transshipment, legitimacy of entities making entry, protection of revenues, fraud prevention and detection, and penalties, including intentional misclassification, inadequate bonding, and other misrepresentations. 103. Priorities and performance standards for customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs (a) Priorities and performance standards (1) In general The Commissioner, in consultation with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, shall establish priorities and performance standards to measure the development and levels of achievement of the customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs described in subsection (b). (2) Minimum priorities and standards Such priorities and performance standards shall, at a minimum, include priorities and standards relating to efficiency, outcome, output, and other types of applicable measures. (b) Functions and programs described The functions and programs referred to in subsection (a) are the following: (1) The Automated Commercial Environment. (2) Each of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act. (3) The Centers of Excellence and Expertise described in section 110 of this Act. (4) Drawback for exported merchandise under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ), as amended by section 406 of this Act. (5) Transactions relating to imported merchandise in bond. (6) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ). (7) The expedited clearance of cargo. (8) The issuance of regulations and rulings. (9) The issuance of Regulatory Audit Reports. (c) Consultations and notification (1) Consultations The consultations required by subsection (a)(1) shall occur, at a minimum, on an annual basis. (2) Notification The Commissioner shall notify the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of any changes to the priorities referred to in subsection (a) not later than 30 days before such changes are to take effect. 104. Educational seminars to improve efforts to classify and appraise imported articles, to improve trade enforcement efforts, and to otherwise facilitate legitimate international trade (a) In general (1) Establishment The Commissioner and the Director shall establish and carry out on a fiscal year basis educational seminars to— (A) improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to classify and appraise articles imported into the United States in accordance with the customs and trade laws of the United States; (B) improve the trade enforcement efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel; and (C) otherwise improve the ability and effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to facilitate legitimate international trade. (b) Content (1) Classifying and appraising imported articles In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(A), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel on the following: (A) Conducting a physical inspection of an article imported into the United States, including testing of samples of the article, to determine if the article is mislabeled in the manifest or other accompanying documentation. (B) Reviewing the manifest and other accompanying documentation of an article imported into the United States to determine if the country of origin of the article listed in the manifest or other accompanying documentation is accurate. (C) Customs valuation. (D) Industry supply chains and other related matters as determined to be appropriate by the Commissioner. (2) Trade enforcement efforts In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(B), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to identify opportunities to enhance enforcement of the following: (A) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ). (B) Addressing evasion of duties on imports of textiles. (C) Protection of intellectual property rights. (D) Enforcement of child labor laws. (3) Approval of Commissioner and Director The instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner and the Director. (c) Selection process (1) In general The Commissioner shall establish a process to solicit, evaluate, and select interested parties in the private sector for purposes of assisting in providing instruction and related instructional materials described in subsection (b) at each educational seminar under this section. (2) Criteria The Commissioner shall evaluate and select interested parties in the private sector under the process established under paragraph (1) based on— (A) availability and usefulness; (B) the volume, value, and incidence of mislabeling or misidentification of origin of imported articles; and (C) other appropriate criteria established by the Commissioner. (3) Public availability The Commissioner and the Director shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description of the process established under paragraph (1) and the criteria established under paragraph (2). (d) Special rule for antidumping and countervailing duty orders (1) In general The Commissioner shall give due consideration to carrying out an educational seminar under this section in whole or in part to improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to enforce a countervailing or antidumping duty order issued under section 706 or 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671e or 1673e) upon the request of a petitioner in an action underlying such countervailing or antidumping duty order. (2) Interested party A petitioner described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as an interested party in the private sector for purposes of the requirements of this section. (e) Performance standards The Commissioner and the Director shall establish performance standards to measure the development and level of achievement of educational seminars under this section. (f) Reporting Beginning September 30, 2016, the Commissioner and the Director shall submit to the Committee of Finance of the Senate and the Committee of Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an annual report on the effectiveness of educational seminars under this section. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2) United States The term United States means the customs territory of the United States, as defined in General Note 2 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (3) U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel The term U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel means import specialists, auditors, and other appropriate employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (4) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel The term U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel means Homeland Security Investigations Directorate personnel and other appropriate employees of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. 105. Joint strategic plan (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall jointly develop and submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, a joint strategic plan. (b) Contents The joint strategic plan required under this section shall be comprised of a comprehensive multi-year plan for trade enforcement and trade facilitation, and shall include— (1) a summary of actions taken during the 2-year period preceding the submission of the plan to improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation, including a description and analysis of specific performance measures to evaluate the progress of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in meeting each such responsibility; (2) a statement of objectives and plans for further improving trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (3) a specific identification of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act, that can be addressed in order to enhance trade enforcement and trade facilitation, and a description of strategies and plans for addressing each such issue; (4) a description of efforts made to improve consultation and coordination among and within Federal agencies, and in particular between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regarding trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (5) a description of the training that has occurred to date within U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation, including training under section 104 of this Act; (6) a description of efforts to work with the World Customs Organization and other international organizations, in consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate, with respect to enhancing trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (7) a description of U.S. Custom and Border Protection organizational benchmarks for optimizing staffing and wait times at ports of entry; (8) a specific identification of any domestic or international best practices that may further improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (9) any legislative recommendations to further improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation; and (10) a description of efforts made to improve consultation and coordination with the private sector to enhance trade enforcement and trade facilitation. (c) Consultations (1) In general In developing the joint strategic plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall consult with— (A) appropriate officials from the relevant Federal agencies, including— (i) the Department of the Treasury; (ii) the Department of Agriculture; (iii) the Department of Commerce; (iv) the Department of Justice; (v) the Department of the Interior; (vi) the Department of Health and Human Services; (vii) the Food and Drug Administration; (viii) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and (ix) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; and (B) the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established by section 109 of this Act. (2) Other consultations In developing the joint strategic plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall seek to consult with— (A) appropriate officials from relevant foreign law enforcement agencies and international organizations, including the World Customs Organization; and (B) interested parties in the private sector. 106. Automated Commercial Environment (a) Funding Section 13031(f)(4)(B) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking 2003 through 2005 and inserting 2016 through 2018 ; (2) by striking such amounts as are available in that Account and inserting not less than $153,736,000 ; and (3) by striking for the development and inserting to complete the development and implementation . (b) Report Section 311(b)(3) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002 ( 19 U.S.C. 2075 note) is amended to read as follows: (3) Report (A) In general Not later than December 31, 2016, the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report detailing— (i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s incorporation of all core trade processing capabilities, including cargo release, entry summary, cargo manifest, cargo financial data, and export data elements into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ) not later than September 30, 2016, to conform with the admissibility criteria of agencies participating in the International Trade Data System identified pursuant to section 411(d)(4)(A)(iii) of the Tariff Act of 1930; (ii) U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s remaining priorities for processing entry summary data elements, cargo manifest data elements, cargo financial data elements, and export elements in the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, and the objectives and plans for implementing these remaining priorities; (iii) the components of the National Customs Automation Program specified in subsection (a)(2) of section 411 of the Tariff Act of 1930 that have not been implemented; and (iv) any additional components of the National Customs Automation Program initiated by the Commissioner to complete the development, establishment, and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system. (B) Update of reports Not later than September 30, 2017, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an updated report addressing each of the matters referred to in subparagraph (A), and— (i) evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system; and (ii) detailing the percentage of trade processed in the Automated Commercial Environment every month since September 30, 2016. . (c) Government accountability office report Not later than December 31, 2017, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report— (1) assessing the progress of other Federal agencies in accessing and utilizing the Automated Commercial Environment; and (2) assessing the potential cost savings to the United States Government and importers and exporters and the potential benefits to enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States if the elements identified in clauses (i) through (iv) of section 311(b)(3)(A) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (b) of this section, are implemented. 107. International Trade Data System (a) Information technology infrastructure Section 411(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1411(d) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Information technology infrastructure (A) In general The Secretary shall work with the head of each agency participating in the ITDS and the Interagency Steering Committee to ensure that each agency— (i) develops and maintains the necessary information technology infrastructure to support the operation of the ITDS and to submit all data to the ITDS electronically; (ii) enters into a memorandum of understanding, or takes such other action as is necessary, to provide for the information sharing between the agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection necessary for the operation and maintenance of the ITDS; (iii) not later than June 30, 2016, identifies and transmits to the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection the admissibility criteria and data elements required by the agency to authorize the release of cargo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for incorporation into the operational functionality of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ); and (iv) not later than December 31, 2016, utilizes the ITDS as the primary means of receiving from users the standard set of data and other relevant documentation, exclusive of applications for permits, licenses, or certifications required for the release of imported cargo and clearance of cargo for export. (B) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require any action to be taken that would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or national security. ; and (3) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) and inserting section 109 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 . 108. Consultations with respect to mutual recognition arrangements (a) Consultations The Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to any proposed mutual recognition arrangement or similar agreement between the United States and a foreign government providing for mutual recognition of supply chain security programs and customs revenue functions, shall consult— (1) not later than 30 days before initiating negotiations to enter into any such arrangement or similar agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and (2) not later than 30 days before entering into any such arrangement or similar agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (b) Negotiating objective It shall be a negotiating objective of the United States in any negotiation for a mutual recognition arrangement with a foreign country on partnership programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ), to seek to ensure the compatibility of the partnership programs of that country with the partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enhance trade facilitation and trade enforcement. 109. Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (a) Establishment Not later than the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly establish a Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Advisory Committee ). (b) Membership (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of— (A) 20 individuals appointed under paragraph (2); (B) the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy of the Department of the Treasury and the Commissioner, who shall jointly co-chair meetings of the Advisory Committee; and (C) the Assistant Secretary for Policy and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, who shall serve as deputy co-chairs of meetings of the Advisory Committee. (2) Appointment (A) In general The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly appoint 20 individuals from the private sector to the Advisory Committee. (B) Requirements In making appointments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint members— (i) to ensure that the membership of the Advisory Committee is representative of the individuals and firms affected by the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (ii) without regard to political affiliation. (C) Terms Each individual appointed to the Advisory Committee under this paragraph shall be appointed for a term of not more than 3 years, and may be reappointed to subsequent terms, but may not serve more than 2 terms sequentially. (3) Transfer of membership The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security may transfer members serving on the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the United States Customs Service established under section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act to the Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). (c) Duties The Advisory Committee established under subsection (a) shall— (1) advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on all matters involving the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including advising with respect to significant changes that are proposed with respect to regulations, policies, or practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (2) provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on improvements to the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (3) collaborate in developing the agenda for Advisory Committee meetings; and (4) perform such other functions relating to the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as prescribed by law or as the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security jointly direct. (d) Meetings (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security, or at the call of not less than 2/3 of the membership of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall meet at least 4 times each calendar year. (2) Open meetings Notwithstanding section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee meetings shall be open to the public unless the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the meeting will include matters the disclosure of which would compromise the development of policies, priorities, or negotiating objectives or positions that could impact the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the operations or investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (e) Annual report Not later than December 31, 2016, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) describes the activities of the Advisory Committee during the preceding fiscal year; and (2) sets forth any recommendations of the Advisory Committee regarding the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (f) Termination Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. (g) Conforming amendment (1) In general Effective on the date on which the Advisory Committee is established under subsection (a), section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is repealed. (2) Reference Any reference in law to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the United States Customs Service established under section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) made on or after the date on which the Advisory Committee is established under subsection (a), shall be deemed a reference to the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). 110. Centers of Excellence and Expertise (a) In general The Commissioner shall, in consultation with the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established by section 109 of this Act, develop and implement Centers of Excellence and Expertise throughout U.S. Customs and Border Protection that— (1) enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States by consistently enforcing the laws and regulations of the United States at all ports of entry of the United States and by facilitating the flow of legitimate trade through increasing industry-based knowledge; (2) improve enforcement efforts, including enforcement of priority trade issues described in subparagraph (B)(ii) of section 2(d)(3) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act, in specific industry sectors through the application of targeting information from the Commercial Targeting Division established under subparagraph (A) of such section 2(d)(3) and from other means of verification; (3) build upon the expertise of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in particular industry operations, supply chains, and compliance requirements; (4) promote the uniform implementation at each port of entry of the United States of policies and regulations relating to imports; (5) centralize the trade enforcement and trade facilitation efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (6) formalize an account-based approach to apply, as the Commissioner determines appropriate, to the importation of merchandise into the United States; (7) foster partnerships though the expansion of trade programs and other trusted partner programs; (8) develop applicable performance measurements to meet internal efficiency and effectiveness goals; and (9) whenever feasible, facilitate a more efficient flow of information between Federal agencies. (b) Report Not later than December 31, 2016, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the scope, functions, and structure of each Center of Excellence and Expertise developed and implemented under subsection (a); (2) the effectiveness of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise in improving enforcement efforts, including enforcement of priority trade issues, and facilitating legitimate trade; (3) the quantitative and qualitative benefits of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise to the trade community, including through fostering partnerships through the expansion of trade programs such as the Importer Self Assessment program and other trusted partner programs; (4) all applicable performance measurements with respect to each such Center of Excellence and Expertise, including performance measures with respect to meeting internal efficiency and effectiveness goals; (5) the performance of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise in increasing the accuracy and completeness of data with respect to international trade and facilitating a more efficient flow of information between Federal agencies; and (6) any planned changes in the number, scope, functions or any other aspect of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise developed and implemented under subsection (a). 111. Commercial Targeting Division and National Targeting and Analysis Groups (a) In general Section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Commercial targeting division and national targeting and analysis groups (A) Establishment of commercial targeting division (i) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade a Commercial Targeting Division. (ii) Composition The Commercial Targeting Division shall be composed of— (I) headquarters personnel led by an Executive Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner for Trade; and (II) individual National Targeting and Analysis Groups, each led by a Director who shall report to the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division. (iii) Duties The Commercial Targeting Division shall be dedicated— (I) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with subparagraph (C); and (II) to issuing Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D). (B) National targeting and analysis groups (i) In general A National Targeting and Analysis Group referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) shall, at a minimum, be established for each priority trade issue described in clause (ii). (ii) Priority trade issues (I) In general The priority trade issues described in this clause are the following: (aa) Agriculture programs. (bb) Antidumping and countervailing duties. (cc) Import safety. (dd) Intellectual property rights. (ee) Revenue. (ff) Textiles and wearing apparel. (gg) Trade agreements and preference programs. (II) Modification The Commissioner is authorized to establish new priority trade issues and eliminate, consolidate, or otherwise modify the priority trade issues described in this paragraph if the Commissioner— (aa) determines it necessary and appropriate to do so; (bb) submits to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a summary of proposals to consolidate, eliminate, or otherwise modify existing priority trade issues not later than 60 days before such changes are to take effect; and (cc) submits to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a summary of proposals to establish new priority trade issues not later than 30 days after such changes are to take effect. (iii) Duties The duties of each National Targeting and Analysis Group shall include— (I) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that relate to the Group’s priority trade issue; (II) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant Federal departments and agencies regarding the Group’s priority trade issue; and (III) serving as the primary liaison between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the public regarding United States Government activities regarding the Group’s priority trade issue, including— (aa) providing for receipt and transmission to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office of allegations from interested parties in the private sector of violations of customs and trade laws of the United States of merchandise relating to the priority trade issue; (bb) obtaining information from the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office on the status of any activities resulting from the submission of any such allegation, including any decision not to pursue the allegation, and providing any such information to each interested party in the private sector that submitted the allegation every 90 days after the allegation was received by U.S. Customs and Border Protection unless providing such information would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation; and (cc) notifying on a timely basis each interested party in the private sector that submitted such allegation of any civil or criminal actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal department or agency resulting from the allegation. (C) Commercial risk assessment targeting In carrying out its duties with respect to commercial risk assessment targeting, the Commercial Targeting Division shall— (i) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards— (I) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may violate the customs and trade laws of the United States, particularly those laws applicable to merchandise subject to the priority trade issues described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and (II) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D); and (ii) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use, to administer the methodologies and standards established under clause (i)— (I) publicly available information; (II) information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, the TECS (formerly known as the Treasury Enforcement Communications System ), the case management system of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any successor systems; and (III) information made available to the Commercial Targeting Division, including information provided by private sector entities. (D) Trade alerts (i) Issuance Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under subparagraph (C), the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division and the Directors of the National Targeting and Analysis Groups may issue Trade Alerts to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, or physical examination or testing, of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (ii) Determinations not to implement trade alerts The director of a United States port of entry may determine not to conduct further inspections, or physical examination or testing, pursuant to a Trade Alert issued under clause (i) if— (I) the director finds that such a determination is justified by security interests; and (II) notifies the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations and the Assistant Commissioner of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the determination and the reasons for the determination not later than 48 hours after making the determination. (iii) Summary of determinations not to implement The Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall— (I) compile an annual public summary of all determinations by directors of United States ports of entry under clause (ii) and the reasons for those determinations; (II) conduct an evaluation of the utilization of Trade Alerts issued under clause (i); and (III) submit the summary to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives not later than December 31 of each year. (iv) Inspection defined In this subparagraph, the term inspection means the comprehensive evaluation process used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, other than physical examination or testing, to permit the entry of merchandise into the United States, or the clearance of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States, for purposes of— (I) assessing duties; (II) identifying restricted or prohibited items; and (III) ensuring compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. . (b) Use of trade data for commercial enforcement purposes Section 343(a)(3)(F) of the Trade Act of 2002 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended to read as follows: (F) The information collected pursuant to the regulations shall be used exclusively for ensuring cargo safety and security, preventing smuggling, and commercial risk assessment targeting, and shall not be used for any commercial enforcement purposes, including for determining merchandise entry. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, nothing in this section shall be treated as amending, repealing, or otherwise modifying title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 or regulations prescribed thereunder. . 112. Report on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures (a) In general Not later the March 31, 2016, and not later than March 31 of each second year thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report assessing, with respect to the period covered by the report, as specified in subsection (b), the following: (1) The effectiveness of the measures taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to protection of revenue, including— (A) the collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ); (B) the assessment, collection, and mitigation of commercial fines and penalties; (C) the use of bonds, including continuous and single transaction bonds, to secure that revenue; and (D) the adequacy of the policies of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to the monitoring and tracking of merchandise transported in bond and collecting duties, as appropriate. (2) The effectiveness of actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to measure accountability and performance with respect to protection of revenue. (3) The number and outcome of investigations instituted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to the underpayment of duties. (4) The effectiveness of training with respect to the collection of duties provided for personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (b) Period covered by report Each report required by subsection (a) shall cover the period of 2 fiscal years ending on September 30 of the calendar year preceding the submission of the report. 113. Report on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond (a) In general Not later than December 31 of 2016, 2017, and 2018, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on efforts undertaken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure the secure transportation of merchandise in bond through the United States and the collection of revenue owed upon the entry of such merchandise into the United States for consumption. (b) Elements Each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the fiscal year preceding the submission of the report, information on— (1) the overall number of entries of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States; (2) the ports at which merchandise arrives in the United States for transportation in bond and at which records of the arrival of such merchandise are generated; (3) the average time taken to reconcile such records with the records at the final destination of the merchandise in the United States to demonstrate that the merchandise reaches its final destination or is re-exported; (4) the average time taken to transport merchandise in bond from the port at which the merchandise arrives in the United States to its final destination in the United States; (5) the total amount of duties, taxes, and fees owed with respect to shipments of merchandise transported in bond and the total amount of such duties, taxes, and fees paid; (6) the total number of notifications by carriers of merchandise being transported in bond that the destination of the merchandise has changed; and (7) the number of entries that remain unreconciled. 114. Importer of record program (a) Establishment Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish an importer of record program to assign and maintain importer of record numbers. (b) Requirements The Secretary shall ensure that, as part of the importer of record program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) develops criteria that importers must meet in order to obtain an importer of record number, including— (A) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify the existence of the importer requesting the importer of record number; (B) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify linkages or other affiliations between importers that are requesting or have been assigned importer of record numbers; and (C) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify changes in address and corporate structure of importers; (2) provides a process by which importers are assigned importer of record numbers; (3) maintains a centralized database of importer of record numbers, including a history of importer of record numbers associated with each importer, and the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1); (4) evaluates and maintains the accuracy of the database if such information changes; and (5) takes measures to ensure that duplicate importer of record numbers are not issued. (c) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the importer of record program established under subsection (a). (d) Number defined In this subsection, the term number , with respect to an importer of record, means a filing identification number described in section 24.5 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation) that fully supports the requirements of subsection (b) with respect to the collection and maintenance of information. 115. Establishment of new importer program (a) In general Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall establish a new importer program that directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to adjust bond amounts for new importers based on the level of risk assessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for protection of revenue of the Federal Government. (b) Requirements The Commissioner shall ensure that, as part of the new importer program established under subsection (a), U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) develops risk-based criteria for determining which importers are considered to be new importers for the purposes of this subsection; (2) develops risk assessment guidelines for new importers to determine if and to what extent— (A) to adjust bond amounts of imported products of new importers; and (B) to increase screening of imported products of new importers; (3) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers relating to the enforcement of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act; (4) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers by Centers of Excellence and Expertise established under section 110 of this Act; and (5) establishes a centralized database of new importers to ensure accuracy of information that is required to be provided by new importers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 116. Customs broker identification of importers (a) In general Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Identification of importers (1) In general The Secretary shall prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards for customs brokers and importers, including nonresident importers, regarding the identity of the importer that shall apply in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States. (2) Minimum requirements The regulations shall, at a minimum, require customs brokers to implement, and importers (after being given adequate notice) to comply with, reasonable procedures for— (A) collecting the identity of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States to the extent reasonable and practicable; and (B) maintaining records of the information used to substantiate a person’s identity, including name, address, and other identifying information. (3) Penalties Any customs broker who fails to collect information required under the regulations prescribed under this subsection shall be liable to the United States, at the discretion of the Secretary, for a monetary penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of those regulations and subject to revocation or suspension of a license or permit of the customs broker pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (d). (4) Definitions In this subsection— (A) the term importer means one of the parties qualifying as an importer of record under section 484(a)(2)(B); and (B) the term nonresident importer means an importer who is— (i) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or (ii) a partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity that is not organized under the laws of a jurisdiction within the customs territory of the United States (as such term is defined in General Note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) or in the Virgin Islands of the United States. . (b) Study and report required Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall submit to Congress a report containing recommendations for— (1) determining the most timely and effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers with appropriate and accurate information, comparable to that which is required of United States nationals, concerning the identity, address, and other related information relating to such foreign nationals necessary to enable customs brokers to comply with the requirements of section 641(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a)); and (2) establishing a system for customs brokers to review information maintained by relevant Federal agencies for purposes of verifying the identities of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States. 117. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers (a) In general Part III of title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1481 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 484b the following new section: 484c. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (c), if an importer of record under section 484 of this Act is not a resident of the United States, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to designate a resident agent in the United States subject to the requirements described in subsection (b). (b) Requirements The requirements described in this subsection are the following: (1) The resident agent shall be authorized to accept service of process against the non-resident importer in connection with the importation of merchandise. (2) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to establish a power of attorney with the resident agent in connection with the importation of merchandise. (c) Non-Applicability The requirements of this section shall not apply with respect to a non-resident importer who is a validated Tier 2 or Tier 3 participant in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program established under subtitle B of title II of the SAFE Port Act ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ). (d) Penalties (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to import into the United States any merchandise in violation of this section. (2) Civil penalties Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50,000 for each such violation. (3) Other penalties In addition to the penalties specified in paragraph (2), any violation of this section that violates any other customs and trade laws of the United States shall be subject to any applicable civil and criminal penalty, including seizure and forfeiture, that may be imposed under such customs or trade law or title 18, United States Code, with respect to the importation of merchandise. (4) Definition In this subsection, the term customs and trade laws of the United States has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Customs Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015. . (b) Effective date Section 484c of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (a), takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to the importation of merchandise of an importer of record under section 484 of the Tariff Act of 1930 who is not resident of the United States on or after the date that is 180 days after such date of enactment. II Import health and safety 201. Interagency import safety working group (a) Establishment There is established an interagency Import Safety Working Group. (b) Membership The interagency Import Safety Working Group shall consist of the following officials or their designees: (1) The Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall serve as the Chair. (2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as the Vice Chair. (3) The Secretary of the Treasury. (4) The Secretary of Commerce. (5) The Secretary of Agriculture. (6) The United States Trade Representative. (7) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (8) The Commissioner of Food and Drugs. (9) The Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (10) The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (11) The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (12) The head of any other Federal agency designated by the President to participate in the interagency Import Safety Working Group, as appropriate. (c) Duties The duties of the interagency Import Safety Working Group shall include— (1) consulting on the development of the joint import safety rapid response plan required by section 202 of this Act; (2) periodically evaluating the adequacy of the plans, practices, and resources of the Federal Government dedicated to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported in the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise, including— (A) minimizing the duplication of efforts among agencies the heads of which are members of the interagency Import Safety Working Group and ensuring the compatibility of the policies and regulations of those agencies; and (B) recommending additional administrative actions, as appropriate, designed to ensure the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise and considering the impact of those actions on private sector entities; (3) reviewing the engagement and cooperation of foreign governments and foreign manufacturers in facilitating the inspection and certification, as appropriate, of such merchandise to be imported into the United States and the facilities producing such merchandise to ensure the safety of the merchandise and the expeditious entry of the merchandise into the United States; (4) identifying best practices, in consultation with private sector entities as appropriate, to assist United States importers in taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of merchandise imported into the United States, including with respect to— (A) the inspection of manufacturing facilities in foreign countries; (B) the inspection of merchandise destined for the United States before exportation from a foreign country or before distribution in the United States; and (C) the protection of the international supply chain (as defined in section 2 of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 901 )); (5) identifying best practices to assist Federal, State, and local governments and agencies, and port authorities, to improve communication and coordination among such agencies and authorities with respect to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise; and (6) otherwise identifying appropriate steps to increase the accountability of United States importers and the engagement of foreign government agencies with respect to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise. 202. Joint import safety rapid response plan (a) In general Not later than December 31, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the interagency Import Safety Working Group, shall develop a plan (to be known as the joint import safety rapid response plan ) that sets forth protocols and defines practices for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use— (1) in taking action in response to, and coordinating Federal responses to, an incident in which cargo destined for or merchandise entering the United States has been identified as posing a threat to the health or safety of consumers in the United States; and (2) in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions and responses to an incident described in paragraph (1). (b) Contents The joint import safety rapid response plan shall address— (1) the statutory and regulatory authorities and responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies in responding to an incident described in subsection (a)(1); (2) the protocols and practices to be used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when taking action in response to, and coordinating Federal responses to, such an incident; (3) the measures to be taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions taken in response to such an incident after the incident to ensure the resumption of the entry of merchandise into the United States; and (4) exercises that U.S. Customs and Border Protection may conduct in conjunction with Federal, State, and local agencies, and private sector entities, to simulate responses to such an incident. (c) Updates of plan The Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and update the joint import safety rapid response plan, as appropriate, after conducting exercises under subsection (d). (d) Import health and safety exercises (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner shall periodically engage in the exercises referred to in subsection (b)(4), in conjunction with Federal, State, and local agencies and private sector entities, as appropriate, to test and evaluate the protocols and practices identified in the joint import safety rapid response plan at United States ports of entry. (2) Requirements for exercises In conducting exercises under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Commissioner shall— (A) make allowance for the resources, needs, and constraints of United States ports of entry of different sizes in representative geographic locations across the United States; (B) base evaluations on current risk assessments of merchandise entering the United States at representative United States ports of entry located across the United States; (C) ensure that such exercises are conducted in a manner consistent with the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, the National Preparedness Guidelines, the Maritime Transportation System Security Plan, and other such national initiatives of the Department of Homeland Security, as appropriate; and (D) develop metrics with respect to the resumption of the entry of merchandise into the United States after an incident described in subsection (a)(1). (3) Requirements for testing and evaluation The Secretary and the Commissioner shall ensure that the testing and evaluation carried out in conducting exercises under paragraph (1)— (A) are performed using clear and objective performance measures; and (B) result in the identification of specific recommendations or best practices for responding to an incident described in subsection (a)(1). (4) Dissemination of recommendations and best practices The Secretary and the Commissioner shall— (A) share the recommendations or best practices identified under paragraph (3)(B) among the members of the interagency Import Safety Working Group and with, as appropriate— (i) State, local, and tribal governments; (ii) foreign governments; and (iii) private sector entities; and (B) use such recommendations and best practices to update the joint import safety rapid response plan. 203. Training The Commissioner shall ensure that personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection assigned to United States ports of entry are trained to effectively administer the provisions of this title and to otherwise assist in ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise. III Import-related protection of intellectual property rights 301. Definition of intellectual property rights In this title, the term intellectual property rights refers to copyrights, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property rights that are enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 302. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement (a) In general The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after section 628 ( 19 U.S.C. 1628 ) the following new section: 628A. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement (a) In general Subject to subsections (c) and (d), if the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspects that merchandise is being imported into the United States in violation of section 526 of this Act or section 602, 1201(a)(2), or 1201(b)(1) of title 17, United States Code, and determines that the examination or testing of the merchandise by a person described in subsection (b) would assist the Commissioner in determining if the merchandise is being imported in violation of that section, the Commissioner, to permit the person to conduct the examination and testing— (1) shall provide to the person information that appears on the merchandise and its packaging and labels, including unredacted images of the merchandise and its packaging and labels; and (2) may, subject to any applicable bonding requirements, provide to the person unredacted samples of the merchandise. (b) Person described A person described in this subsection is— (1) in the case of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of section 526, the owner of the trademark suspected of being copied or simulated by the merchandise; (2) in the case of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of section 602 of title 17, United States Code, the owner of the copyright suspected of being infringed by the merchandise; (3) in the case of merchandise suspected of being primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under that title, and being imported in violation of section 1201(a)(2) of that title, the owner of a copyright in the work; and (4) in the case of merchandise suspected of being primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing protection afforded by a technological measure that effectively protects a right of an owner of a copyright in a work or a portion of a work, and being imported in violation of section 1201(b)(1) of that title, the owner of the copyright. (c) Limitation Subsection (a) applies only with respect to merchandise suspected of infringing a trademark or copyright that is recorded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (d) Exception The Commissioner may not provide under subsection (a) information, photographs, or samples to a person described in subsection (b) if providing such information, photographs, or samples would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or national security. . (b) Termination of previous authority Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of section 818(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( Public Law 112–81 ; 125 Stat. 1496; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note), paragraph (1) of that section shall have no force or effect on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 303. Seizure of circumvention devices (a) In general Section 596(c)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1595a(c)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking or ; (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (G) U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines it is a technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof the importation of which is prohibited under subsection (a)(2) or (b)(1) of section 1201 of title 17, United States Code. . (b) Notification of persons injured (1) In general Not later than the date that is 30 business days after seizing merchandise pursuant to subparagraph (G) of section 596(c)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (a), the Commissioner shall provide to any person identified under paragraph (2) information regarding the merchandise seized that is equivalent to information provided to copyright owners under regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for merchandise seized for violation of the copyright laws. (2) Persons to be provided information Any person injured by the violation of (a)(2) or (b)(1) of section 1201 of title 17, United States Code, that resulted in the seizure of the merchandise shall be provided information under paragraph (1), if that person is included on a list maintained by the Commissioner that is revised annually through publication in the Federal Register. (3) Regulations Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations establishing procedures that implement this subsection. 304. Enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of works for which copyright registration is pending Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall authorize a process pursuant to which the Commissioner shall enforce a copyright for which the owner has submitted an application for registration under title 17, United States Code, with the United States Copyright Office, to the same extent and in the same manner as if the copyright were registered with the Copyright Office, including by sharing information, images, and samples of merchandise suspected of infringing the copyright under section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by section 302. 305. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (a) Establishment The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (1) establish within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; and (2) appoint an Assistant Director to head the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. (b) Duties The Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall— (1) coordinate the investigation of sources of merchandise that infringe intellectual property rights to identify organizations and individuals that produce, smuggle, or distribute such merchandise; (2) conduct and coordinate training with other domestic and international law enforcement agencies on investigative best practices— (A) to develop and expand the capability of such agencies to enforce intellectual property rights; and (B) to develop metrics to assess whether the training improved enforcement of intellectual property rights; (3) coordinate, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, activities conducted by the United States to prevent the importation or exportation of merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights; (4) support the international interdiction of merchandise destined for the United States that infringes intellectual property rights; (5) collect and integrate information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights from domestic and international law enforcement agencies and other non-Federal sources; (6) develop a means to receive and organize information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights from such agencies and other sources; (7) disseminate information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights to other Federal agencies, as appropriate; (8) develop and implement risk-based alert systems, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to improve the targeting of persons that repeatedly infringe intellectual property rights; (9) coordinate with the offices of United States attorneys in order to develop expertise in, and assist with the investigation and prosecution of, crimes relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights; and (10) carry out such other duties as the Secretary of Homeland Security may assign. (c) Coordination with other agencies In carrying out the duties described in subsection (b), the Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall coordinate with— (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (2) the Food and Drug Administration; (3) the Department of Justice; (4) the Department of Commerce, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office; (5) the United States Postal Inspection Service; (6) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; (7) any Federal, State, local, or international law enforcement agencies that the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement considers appropriate; and (8) any other entities that the Director considers appropriate. (d) Private sector outreach (1) In general The Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies to conduct outreach to private sector entities in order to determine trends in and methods of infringing intellectual property rights. (2) Information sharing The Assistant Director shall share information and best practices with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights with private sector entities, as appropriate, in order to coordinate public and private sector efforts to combat the infringement of intellectual property rights. 306. Joint strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall include in the joint strategic plan required by section 105 of this Act— (1) a description of the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to enforce intellectual property rights; (2) a list of the 10 United States ports of entry at which U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized the most merchandise, both by volume and by value, that infringes intellectual property rights during the most recent 2-year period for which data are available; and (3) a recommendation for the optimal allocation of personnel, resources, and technology to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are adequately enforcing intellectual property rights. 307. Personnel dedicated to the enforcement of intellectual property rights (a) Personnel of U.S. customs and border protection The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned throughout U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, respectively, who have responsibility for preventing the importation into the United States of merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights. (b) Staffing of national intellectual property rights coordination center The Commissioner shall— (1) assign not fewer than 3 full-time employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center established under section 305 of this Act; and (2) ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned to United States ports of entry to carry out the directives of the Center. 308. Training with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights (a) Training The Commissioner shall ensure that officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are trained to effectively detect and identify merchandise destined for the United States that infringes intellectual property rights, including through the use of technologies identified under subsection (c). (b) Consultation with private sector The Commissioner shall consult with private sector entities to better identify opportunities for collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and such entities with respect to training for officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in enforcing intellectual property rights. (c) Identification of new technologies In consultation with private sector entities, the Commissioner shall identify— (1) technologies with the cost-effective capability to detect and identify merchandise at United States ports of entry that infringes intellectual property rights; and (2) cost-effective programs for training officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use such technologies. (d) Donations of technology Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall prescribe regulations to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection to receive donations of hardware, software, equipment, and similar technologies, and to accept training and other support services, from private sector entities, for the purpose of enforcing intellectual property rights. 309. International cooperation and information sharing (a) Cooperation The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the competent law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries, including by sharing information relevant to enforcement actions, to enhance the efforts of the United States and such authorities to enforce intellectual property rights. (b) Technical assistance The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide technical assistance to competent law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries to enhance the ability of such authorities to enforce intellectual property rights. (c) Interagency collaboration The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall lead interagency efforts to collaborate with law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries to enforce intellectual property rights. 310. Report on intellectual property rights enforcement Not later than June 30, 2016, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that contains the following: (1) With respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, the following: (A) The number of referrals from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement relating to infringement of intellectual property rights during the preceding year. (B) The number of investigations relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights referred by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a United States attorney for prosecution and the United States attorneys to which those investigations were referred. (C) The number of such investigations accepted by each such United States attorney and the status or outcome of each such investigation. (D) The number of such investigations that resulted in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. (E) A description of the efforts of U.S. Custom and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve the success rates of investigations and prosecutions relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights. (2) An estimate of the average time required by the Office of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to respond to a request from port personnel for advice with respect to whether merchandise detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection infringed intellectual property rights, distinguished by types of intellectual property rights infringed. (3) A summary of the outreach efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with respect to— (A) the interdiction and investigation of, and the sharing of information between those agencies and other Federal agencies to prevent the infringement of intellectual property rights; (B) collaboration with private sector entities— (i) to identify trends in the infringement of, and technologies that infringe, intellectual property rights; (ii) to identify opportunities for enhanced training of officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and (iii) to develop best practices to enforce intellectual property rights; and (C) coordination with foreign governments and international organizations with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. (4) A summary of the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to address the challenges with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights presented by Internet commerce and the transit of small packages and an identification of the volume, value, and type of merchandise seized for infringing intellectual property rights as a result of such efforts. (5) A summary of training relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights conducted under section 308 of this Act and expenditures for such training. 311. Information for travelers regarding violations of intellectual property rights (a) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop and carry out an educational campaign to inform travelers entering or leaving the United States about the legal, economic, and public health and safety implications of acquiring merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights outside the United States and importing such merchandise into the United States in violation of United States law. (b) Declaration forms The Commissioner shall ensure that all versions of Declaration Form 6059B of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or a successor form, including any electronic equivalent of Declaration Form 6059B or a successor form, printed or displayed on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act include a written warning to inform travelers arriving in the United States that importation of merchandise into the United States that infringes intellectual property rights may subject travelers to civil or criminal penalties and may pose serious risks to safety or health. IV Prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders 401. Short title This title may be cited as the Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act or PROTECT Act . 402. Definitions In this title: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Covered merchandise The term covered merchandise means merchandise that is subject to— (A) a countervailing duty order issued under section 706 of the Tariff Act of 1930; or (B) an antidumping duty order issued under section 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930. (3) Eligible small business (A) In general The term eligible small business means any business concern which, in the Commissioner’s judgment, due to its small size, has neither adequate internal resources nor financial ability to obtain qualified outside assistance in preparing and submitting for consideration allegations of evasion. (B) Non-reviewability Any agency decision regarding whether a business concern is an eligible small business for purposes of section 411(b)(4)(E) is not reviewable by any other agency or by any court. (4) Enter; entry The terms enter and entry refer to the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, in the customs territory of the United States. (5) Evade; evasion The terms evade and evasion refer to entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of any document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is material and false, or any omission that is material, and that results in any cash deposit or other security or any amount of applicable antidumping or countervailing duties being reduced or not being applied with respect to the merchandise. (6) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury. (7) Trade remedy laws The term trade remedy laws means title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930. 403. Application to Canada and Mexico Pursuant to article 1902 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and section 408 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3438 ), this title and the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to goods from Canada and Mexico. A Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws 411. Trade remedy law enforcement division (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, established under section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division. (2) Composition The Trade Law Remedy Enforcement Division shall be composed of— (A) headquarters personnel led by a Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade; and (B) a National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion. (3) Duties The Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall be dedicated— (A) to the development and administration of policies to prevent and counter evasion; (B) to direct enforcement and compliance assessment activities concerning evasion; (C) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with subsection (c); (D) to issuing Trade Alerts described in subsection (d); and (E) to the development of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk of noncollection. (b) Duties of director The duties of the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall include— (1) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that concern evasion; (2) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant agencies regarding evasion; (3) notifying on a timely basis the administering authority (as defined in section 771(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677(1) )) and the Commission (as defined in section 771(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677(2) )) of any finding, determination, civil action, or criminal action taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal agency regarding evasion; (4) serving as the primary liaison between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the public regarding United States Government activities concerning evasion, including— (A) receive and transmit to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office allegations from parties of evasion; (B) upon request by the party or parties that submitted an allegation of evasion, provide information to such party or parties on the status of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s consideration of the allegation and decision to pursue or not pursue any administrative inquiries or other actions, such as changes in policies, procedures, or resource allocation as a result of the allegation; (C) as needed, request from the party or parties that submitted an allegation of evasion any additional information that may be relevant for U.S. Customs and Border Protection determining whether to initiate an administrative inquiry or take any other action regarding the allegation; (D) notify on a timely basis the party or parties that submitted such an allegation of the results of any administrative, civil or criminal actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal agency regarding evasion as a direct or indirect result of the allegation; (E) upon request, provide technical assistance and advice to eligible small businesses to enable such businesses to prepare and submit allegations of evasion, except that the Director may deny assistance if the Director concludes that the allegation, if submitted, would not lead to the initiation of an administrative inquiry or any other action to address the allegation; (F) in cooperation with the public, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and any other relevant parties and organizations, develop guidelines on the types and nature of information that may be provided in allegations of evasion; and (G) regularly consult with the public, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and any other relevant parties and organizations regarding the development and implementation of regulations, interpretations, and policies related to countering evasion. (c) Preventing and countering evasion of the trade remedy laws In carrying out its duties with respect to preventing and countering evasion, the National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion shall— (1) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards— (A) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise; and (B) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in subsection (d); and (2) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, and the TECS, and any similar and successor systems, to administer the methodologies and standards established under paragraph (1). (d) Trade alerts Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under subsection (c), the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall issue Trade Alerts or other such means of notification to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, physical examination, or testing of merchandise to ensure compliance with the trade remedy laws and to require additional bonds, cash deposits, or other security to ensure collection of any duties, taxes and fees owed. 412. Collection of information on evasion of trade remedy laws (a) Authority To collect information To determine whether covered merchandise is being entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner— (1) shall exercise all existing authorities to collect information needed to make the determination; and (2) may collect such additional information as is necessary to make the determination through such methods as the Commissioner considers appropriate, including by issuing questionnaires with respect to the entry or entries at issue to— (A) a person who filed an allegation with respect to the covered merchandise; (B) a person who is alleged to have entered the covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; or (C) any other person who is determined to have information relevant to the allegation of entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. (b) Adverse inference (1) In general If the Secretary finds that a person who filed an allegation, a person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, or a foreign producer or exporter of covered merchandise that is alleged to have entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of the person’s ability to comply with a request for information, the Secretary may, in making a determination whether an entry or entries of covered merchandise may constitute merchandise that is entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that person in selecting from among the facts otherwise available to determine whether evasion has occurred. (2) Adverse inference described An adverse inference used under paragraph (1) may include reliance on information derived from— (A) the allegation of evasion of the trade remedy laws, if any, submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (B) a determination by the Commissioner in another investigation, proceeding, or other action regarding evasion of the unfair trade laws; or (C) any other available information. 413. Access to information (a) In general Section 777(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Trade Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677f(b)(1)(A)(ii) ) is amended by inserting negligence, gross negligence, or after regarding . (b) Additional information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized to provide to the Secretary of Commerce or the United States International Trade Commission any information that is necessary to enable the Secretary of Commerce or the United States International Trade Commission to assist the Secretary to identify, through risk assessment targeting or otherwise, covered merchandise that is entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. 414. Cooperation with foreign countries on preventing evasion of trade remedy laws (a) Bilateral agreements (1) In general The Secretary shall seek to negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with the customs authorities or other appropriate authorities of foreign countries for purposes of cooperation on preventing evasion of the trade remedy laws of the United States and the trade remedy laws of the other country. (2) Provisions and authorities The Secretary shall seek to include in each such bilateral agreement the following provisions and authorities: (A) On the request of the importing country, the exporting country shall provide, consistent with its laws, regulations, and procedures, production, trade, and transit documents and other information necessary to determine whether an entry or entries exported from the exporting country are subject to the importing country’s trade remedy laws. (B) On the written request of the importing country, the exporting country shall conduct a verification for purposes of enabling the importing country to make a determination described in subparagraph (A). (C) The exporting country may allow the importing country to participate in a verification described in subparagraph (B), including through a site visit. (D) If the exporting country does not allow participation of the importing country in a verification described in subparagraph (B), the importing country may take this fact into consideration in its trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities regarding the compliance of the exporting country’s exports with the importing country’s trade remedy laws. (b) Consideration The Commissioner is authorized to take into consideration whether a country is a signatory to a bilateral agreement described in subsection (a) and the extent to which the country is cooperating under the bilateral agreement for purposes of trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that concern evasion by such country’s exports. (c) Report Not later than December 31 of each year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report summarizing— (1) the status of any ongoing negotiations of bilateral agreements described in subsection (a), including the identities of the countries involved in such negotiations; (2) the terms of any completed bilateral agreements described in subsection (a); and (3) bilateral cooperation and other activities conducted pursuant to or enabled by any completed bilateral agreements described in subsection (a). 415. Trade negotiating objectives The principal negotiating objectives of the United States shall include obtaining the objectives of the bilateral agreements described under section 414(a) for any trade agreements under negotiation as of the date of the enactment of this Act or future trade agreement negotiations. B Investigation of Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws 421. Procedures for investigation of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) In general Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 781 the following: 781A. Procedures for prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administering authority The term administering authority has the meaning given that term in section 771. (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Covered merchandise The term covered merchandise means merchandise that is subject to— (A) a countervailing duty order issued under section 706; or (B) an antidumping duty order issued under section 736. (4) Evasion (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term evasion refers to entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of any document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is material and false, or any omission that is material, and that results in any cash deposit or other security or any amount of applicable antidumping or countervailing duties being reduced or not being applied with respect to the merchandise. (B) Exception for clerical error (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the term evasion does not include entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of— (I) a document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is false as a result of a clerical error; or (II) an omission that results from a clerical error. (ii) Patterns of negligent conduct If the Commissioner determines that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of a clerical error referred to in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i) and that the clerical error is part of a pattern of negligent conduct on the part of that person, the Commissioner may determine, notwithstanding clause (i), that the person has entered such covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. (iii) Electronic repetition of errors For purposes of clause (ii), the mere nonintentional repetition by an electronic system of an initial clerical error does not constitute a pattern of negligent conduct. (iv) Rule of construction A determination by the Commissioner that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of a clerical error referred to in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i) rather than through evasion shall not be construed to excuse that person from the payment of any duties applicable to the merchandise. (b) Prevention by administering authority (1) Procedures for initiating investigations (A) Initiation by administering authority An investigation under this subsection shall be initiated with respect to merchandise imported into the United States whenever the administering authority determines, from information available to the administering authority, that an investigation is warranted with respect to whether the merchandise is covered merchandise. (B) Initiation by petition or referral (i) In general The administering authority shall determine whether to initiate an investigation under this subparagraph not later than 30 days after the date on which the administering authority receives a petition described in clause (ii) or a referral described in clause (iii). (ii) Petition described A petition described in this clause is a petition that— (I) is filed with the administering authority by an interested party specified in subparagraph (A), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of section 771(9); (II) alleges that merchandise imported into the United States is covered merchandise; and (III) is accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner supporting those allegations. (iii) Referral described A referral described in this clause is a referral made by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (c)(1). (2) Time limits for determinations (A) Preliminary determination (i) In general Not later than 90 days after the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to merchandise, the administering authority shall issue a preliminary determination, based on information available to the administering authority at the time of the determination, with respect to whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the merchandise is covered merchandise. (ii) Expedited procedures If the administering authority determines that expedited action is warranted with respect to an investigation initiated under paragraph (1), the administering authority may publish the notice of initiation of the investigation and the notice of the preliminary determination in the Federal Register at the same time. (B) Final determination by the administering authority The administering authority shall issue a final determination with respect to whether merchandise is covered merchandise not later than 300 days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to the merchandise. (3) Access to information (A) Entry documents, records, and other information Upon receiving a request from the administering authority, and not later than 10 days after receiving the administering authority’s request, the Commissioner shall transmit to the administering authority copies of the documentation and information required by section 484(a)(1) with respect to the entry of the merchandise, as well as any other documentation or information requested by the administering authority. (B) Access of interested parties Not later than 10 business days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to merchandise, the administering authority shall provide to the authorized representative of each interested party that filed a petition under paragraph (1) or otherwise participates in a proceeding, pursuant to a protective order, the copies of the entry documentation and any other information received by the administering authority under subparagraph (A). (C) Business proprietary information from prior segments Where an authorized representative to an interested party participating in an investigation under paragraph (1) has access to business proprietary information released pursuant to administrative protective order in a proceeding under 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. , 1673 et seq., or 1675 et seq. that is relevant to the investigation conducted under paragraph (1), that authorized representative may submit such information to the administering authority for its consideration in the context of the investigation conducted under paragraph (1). (4) Authority to collect and verify additional information In making a determination under paragraph (2) with respect to covered merchandise, the administering authority may collect such additional information as is necessary to make the determination through such methods as the administering authority considers appropriate, including by— (A) issuing a questionnaire with respect to such covered merchandise to— (i) a person that filed an allegation under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) that resulted in the initiation of an investigation under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to such covered merchandise; (ii) a person alleged to have entered such covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; (iii) a person that is a foreign producer or exporter of such covered merchandise; or (iv) the government of a country from which such covered merchandise was exported; and (B) conducting verifications, including on-site verifications, of any relevant information; and (C) requesting— (i) that the Commissioner provide any information and data available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and (ii) that the Commissioner gather additional necessary information from the importer of covered merchandise and other relevant parties. (5) Adverse inference If the administering authority finds that a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (4)(A) has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of the person’s ability to comply with a request for information, the administering authority may, in making a determination under paragraph (2), use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that person in selecting from among the facts otherwise available to make the determination. (6) Effect of affirmative preliminary determination If the administering authority makes a preliminary determination under paragraph (2)(A) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority shall instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (A) to suspend liquidation of each entry of the merchandise that— (i) enters on or after the date of the preliminary determination; or (ii) enters before that date, if the liquidation of the entry is not final on that date; and (B) to require the posting of a cash deposit for each entry of the merchandise in an amount determined pursuant to the order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or administrative review conducted under section 751, that applies to the merchandise. (7) Effect of affirmative final determination (A) In general If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority shall instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (i) to assess duties on the merchandise in an amount determined pursuant to the order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or administrative review conducted under section 751, that applies to the merchandise; (ii) notwithstanding section 501, to reliquidate, in accordance with such order, finding, or administrative review, each entry of the merchandise that was liquidated and is determined to include covered merchandise; and (iii) to review and reassess the amount of bond or other security the importer is required to post for such merchandise entered on or after the date of the final determination to ensure the protection of revenue and compliance with the law. (B) Additional authority If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority may instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require the importer of the merchandise to post a cash deposit or bond on such merchandise entered on or after the date of the final determination in an amount the administering authority determines in the final determination to be owed with respect to the merchandise. (8) Effect of negative final determination If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is not covered merchandise, the administering authority shall terminate the suspension of liquidation and refund any cash deposit imposed pursuant to paragraph (6) with respect to the merchandise. (9) Notification Not later than 5 business days after making a determination under paragraph (2) with respect to covered merchandise, the administering authority may provide to importers, in such manner as the administering authority determines appropriate, information discovered in the investigation that the administering authority determines will help educate importers with respect to importing merchandise into the customs territory of the United States in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. (10) Special rule for cases in which the producer or exporter is unknown If the administering authority is unable to determine the actual producer or exporter of the merchandise with respect to which the administering authority initiated an investigation under paragraph (1), the administering authority shall, in requiring the posting of a cash deposit under paragraph (6) or assessing duties pursuant to paragraph (7)(A), impose the cash deposit or duties (as the case may be) in the highest amount applicable to any producer or exporter of the merchandise pursuant to any order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or any administrative review conducted under section 751. (11) Publication of determinations The administering authority shall publish each notice of initiation of investigation made under paragraph (1)(A), each preliminary determination made under paragraph (2)(A) and each final determination made under paragraph (2)(B) in the Federal Register. (12) Referrals to other agencies (A) After preliminary determination Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the administering authority makes an affirmative preliminary determination under paragraph (2)(A), the administering authority shall— (i) transmit the administrative record to the Commissioner for such additional action as the Commissioner determines appropriate, including proceedings under section 592; and (ii) at the request of the head of another agency, transmit the administrative record to the head of that agency. (B) After final determination Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the administering authority makes an affirmative final determination under paragraph (2)(B), the administering authority shall— (i) transmit the complete administrative record to the Commissioner; and (ii) at the request of the head of another agency, transmit the complete administrative record to the head of that agency. (c) Prevention by U.S. customs and border protection (1) Referrals In the event the Commissioner receives information that a person is entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, but is not able to determine whether the merchandise is in fact covered merchandise, the Commissioner shall— (A) refer the matter to the administering authority for additional proceedings under subsection (b); and (B) transmit to the administering authority— (i) copies of the entry documents and information required by section 484(a)(1) relating to the merchandise; and (ii) any additional records or information that the Commissioner considers appropriate. (d) Cooperation between U.S. customs and border protection and the Department of Commerce (1) Notification of investigations Upon receiving a petition and upon initiating an investigation under subsection (b), the administering authority shall notify the Commissioner. (2) Procedures for cooperation Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner and the administering authority shall establish procedures to ensure maximum cooperation and communication between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the administering authority in order to quickly, efficiently, and accurately investigate allegations of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. (e) Annual report on preventing evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (1) In general Not later than February 28 of each year beginning in 2016, the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the efforts being taken under subsection (b) to prevent evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. (2) Contents Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include, for the year preceding the submission of the report— (A) (i) the number of investigations initiated pursuant to subsection (b); and (ii) a description of such investigations, including— (I) the results of such investigations; and (II) the amount of antidumping and countervailing duties collected as a result of such investigations; and (B) the number of referrals made by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (c). . (b) Technical amendment The table of contents for title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 781 the following: Sec. 781A. Procedures for prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. . (c) Judicial review Section 516A(a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1516a(a)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by striking or (viii) and inserting (viii), or (ix) ; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting at the end the following: (ix) A determination by the administering authority under section 781A. . (d) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) the Secretary of Commerce shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out subsection (b) of section 781A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a) of this section); and (2) the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out subsection (c) of such section 781A. (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall— (1) take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) apply with respect to merchandise entered on or after such date of enactment. 422. Government Accountability Office report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report assessing the effectiveness of— (1) the provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act; and (2) the actions taken and procedures developed by the Secretary of Commerce and the Commissioner pursuant to such provisions and amendments to prevent evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ). C Other Matters 431. Allocation and training of personnel The Commissioner shall, to the maximum extent possible, ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) employs sufficient personnel who have expertise in, and responsibility for, preventing and investigating the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; (2) on the basis of risk assessment metrics, assigns sufficient personnel with primary responsibility for preventing the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion to the ports of entry in the United States at which the Commissioner determines potential evasion presents the most substantial threats to the revenue of the United States; and (3) provides adequate training to relevant personnel to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention and identification of entries of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. 432. Annual report on prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) In general Not later than February 28 of each year, beginning in 2014, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the efforts being taken to prevent and investigate evasion. (b) Contents Each report required under subsection (a) shall include— (1) for the calendar year preceding the submission of the report— (A) a summary of the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion; (B) the number of allegations of evasion received and the number of allegations of evasion resulting in any administrative, civil, or criminal actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or any other agency; (C) a summary of the completed administrative inquiries of evasion, including the number and nature of the inquiries initiated, conducted, or completed, as well as their resolution; (D) with respect to inquiries that lead to lead to issuance of a penalty notice, the penalty amounts; (E) the amounts of antidumping and countervailing duties collected as a result of any actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or any other agency; (F) a description of the allocation of personnel and other resources of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent, identify and investigate evasion, including any assessments conducted regarding the allocation of such personnel and resources; and (G) a description of training conducted to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention, identification and investigation of evasion; and (2) a description of U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes and procedures to prevent and identify evasion, including— (A) the specific guidelines, policies, and practices used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that allegations of evasion are promptly evaluated and acted upon in a timely manner; (B) an evaluation of the efficacy of such existing guidelines, policies, and practices; (C) identification of any changes since the last report that have materially improved or reduced the effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion; (D) a description of the development and implementation of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk on noncollection; (E) the processes and procedures for increased cooperation and information sharing with the Department of Commerce, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any other relevant Federal agencies to prevent and identify evasion; and (F) identification of any recommended policy changes of other Federal agencies or legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion. 433. Addressing circumvention by new shippers Section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1675(a)(2)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking clause (iii); (2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (iii); and (3) inserting after clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of this section, the following: (iv) Any weighted average dumping margin or individual countervailing duty rate determined for an exporter or producer in a review conducted under clause (i) shall be based solely on the bona fide United States sales of an exporter or producer, as the case may be, made during the period covered by the review. In determining whether the United States sales of an exporter or producer made during the period covered by the review were bona fide, the administering authority shall consider, depending on the circumstances surrounding such sales— (I) the prices of such sales; (II) whether such sales were made in commercial quantities; (III) the timing of such sales; (IV) the expenses arising from such sales; (V) whether the subject merchandise involved in such sales were resold in the United States at a profit; (VI) whether such sales were made on an arms-length basis; and (VII) any other factor the administering authority determines to be relevant as to whether such sales are, or are not, likely to be typical of those the exporter or producer will make after completion of the review. . V Additional enforcement provisions 501. Trade enforcement priorities (a) In general Section 310 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2420 ) is amended to read as follows: 310. Trade enforcement priorities (a) Trade enforcement priorities, consultations, and report (1) Trade enforcement priorities consultations Not later than May 31 of each calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the United States Trade Representative (in this section referred to as the Trade Representative ) shall consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the prioritization of acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or otherwise create or maintain barriers to United States goods, services, or investment. (2) Identification of trade enforcement priorities In identifying acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments as trade enforcement priorities under this subsection, the United States Trade Representative shall focus on those acts, policies, and practices the elimination of which is likely to have the most significant potential to increase United States economic growth, and take into account all relevant factors, including— (A) the economic significance of any potential inconsistency between an obligation assumed by a foreign government pursuant to a trade agreement to which both the foreign government and the United States are parties and the acts, policies, or practices of that government; (B) the impact of the acts, policies, or practices of a foreign government on maintaining and creating United States jobs and productive capacity; (C) the major barriers and trade distorting practices described in the most recent National Trade Estimate required under section 181(b); (D) the major barriers and trade distorting practices described in other relevant reports addressing international trade and investment barriers prepared by a Federal agency or congressional commission during the 12 months preceding the date of the most recent report under paragraph (3); (E) a foreign government’s compliance with its obligations under any trade agreements to which both the foreign government and the United States are parties; (F) the implications of a foreign government’s procurement plans and policies; and (G) the international competitive position and export potential of United States products and services. (3) Report on trade enforcement priorities and actions taken to address (A) In general Not later than July 31 of each calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the Trade Representative shall report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives on acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments identified as trade enforcement priorities based on the consultations under paragraph (1) and the criteria set forth in paragraph (2). (B) Report in subsequent years The Trade Representative shall include, when reporting under subparagraph (A) in any calendar year after the calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, a description of actions taken to address any acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments identified as trade enforcement priorities under this subsection in the calendar year preceding that report and, as relevant, any year before that calendar year. (b) Semi-Annual enforcement consultations (1) In general At the same time as the reporting under subsection (a)(3), and not later than January 31 of each following year, the Trade Representative shall consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the identification, prioritization, investigation, and resolution of acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments of concern with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or that otherwise create or maintain trade barriers. (2) Acts, policies, or practices of concern The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or otherwise create or maintain trade barriers, including— (A) engagement with relevant trading partners; (B) strategies for addressing such concerns; (C) availability and deployment of resources to be used in the investigation or resolution of such concerns; (D) the merits of any potential dispute resolution proceeding under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party relating to such concerns; and (E) any other aspects of such concerns. (3) Active investigations The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address acts, policies, or practices that the Trade Representative is actively investigating with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, including— (A) strategies for addressing concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; (B) any relevant timeline with respect to investigation of such acts, policies, or practices; (C) the merits of any potential dispute resolution proceeding under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to such acts, policies, or practices; (D) barriers to the advancement of the investigation of such acts, policies, or practices; and (E) any other matters relating to the investigation of such acts, policies, or practices. (4) Ongoing enforcement actions The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address all ongoing enforcement actions taken by or against the United States with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, including— (A) any relevant timeline with respect to such actions; (B) the merits of such actions; (C) any prospective implementation actions; (D) potential implications for any law or regulation of the United States; (E) potential implications for United States stakeholders, domestic competitors, and exporters; and (F) other issues relating to such actions. (5) Enforcement resources The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address the availability and deployment of enforcement resources, resource constraints on monitoring and enforcement activities, and strategies to address those constraints, including the use of available resources of other Federal agencies to enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities. (c) Investigation and resolution In the case of any acts, policies, or practices of a foreign government identified as a trade enforcement priority under subsection (a), the Trade Representative shall, not later than the date of the first semi-annual enforcement consultations held under subsection (b) after the identification of the priority, take appropriate action to address that priority, including— (1) engagement with the foreign government to resolve concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; (2) initiation of an investigation under section 302(b)(1) with respect to such acts, policies, or practices; (3) initiation of negotiations for a bilateral agreement that provides for resolution of concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; or (4) initiation of dispute settlement proceedings under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to such acts, policies, or practices. (d) Enforcement notifications and consultation (1) Initiation of enforcement action The Trade Representative shall notify and consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives in advance of initiation of any formal trade dispute by or against the United States taken in regard to an obligation under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party. With respect to a formal trade dispute against the United States, if advance notification and consultation are not possible, the Trade Representative shall notify and consult at the earliest practicable opportunity after initiation of the dispute. (2) Circulation of reports The Trade Representative shall notify and consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives in advance of the announced or anticipated circulation of any report of a dispute settlement panel or the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization or of a dispute settlement panel under any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to a formal trade dispute by or against the United States. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) WTO The term WTO means the World Trade Organization. (2) WTO agreement The term WTO Agreement has the meaning given that term in section 2(9) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3501(9) ). (3) WTO agreements The term WTO Agreements means the WTO Agreement and agreements annexed to that Agreement. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Trade Act of 1974 is amended by striking the item relating to section 310 and inserting the following: Sec. 310. Trade enforcement priorities. . 502. Exercise of WTO authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under trade agreements (a) In general Section 306 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2416 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Exercise of WTO authorization To suspend concessions or other obligations If— (1) action has terminated pursuant to section 307(c), (2) the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of action has submitted to the Trade Representative a written request for reinstatement of action, and (3) the Trade Representatives has completed the requirements of subsection (d) and section 307(c)(3), the Trade Representative may at any time determine to take action under section 301(c) to exercise an authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under Article 22 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (referred to in section 101(d)(16) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3511(d)(16) )). . (b) Conforming amendments Chapter 1 of title III of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 et seq. ) is amended— (1) in section 301(c)(1) ( 19 U.S.C. 2411(c)(1) ), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or section 306(c) after subsection (a) or (b) ; (2) in section 306(b) ( 19 U.S.C. 2416(b) ), in the subsection heading, by striking Further Action and inserting Action on the Basis of Monitoring ; (3) in section 306(d) ( 19 U.S.C. 2416(d) ), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), by inserting or (c) after subsection (b) ; and (4) in section 307(c)(3) ( 19 U.S.C. 2417(c)(3) ), by inserting or if a request is submitted to the Trade Representative under 306(c)(2) to reinstate action, after under section 301, . 503. Trade monitoring (a) In general Chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 205. Trade monitoring (a) Monitoring tool for imports (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the United States International Trade Commission shall make available on a website of the Commission an import monitoring tool to allow the public access to data on the volume and value of goods imported to the United States for the purpose of assessing whether such data has changed with respect to such goods over a period of time. (2) Data described For purposes of the monitoring tool under paragraph (1), the Commission shall use data compiled by the Department of Commerce and such other government data as the Commission considers appropriate. (3) Periods of time The Commission shall ensure that data accessed through the monitoring tool under paragraph (1) includes data for the most recent quarter for which such data are available and previous quarters as the Commission considers practicable. (b) Monitoring reports (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall publish on a website of the Department of Commerce, and notify the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of the availability of, a monitoring report on changes in the volume and value of trade with respect to imports and exports of goods categorized based on the 6-digit subheading number of the goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States during the most recent quarter for which such data are available and previous quarters as the Secretary considers practicable. (2) Requests for Comment. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall solicit through the Federal Register public comment on the monitoring reports described in paragraph (1). (c) Sunset The requirements under this section terminate on the date that is seven years after the date of the enactment of this section. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2101 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 204 the following: Sec. 205. Trade monitoring. . VI Miscellaneous provisions 601. De minimis value (a) De minimis value Section 321(a)(2)(C) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) ) is amended by striking $200 and inserting $800 . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act. 602. Consultation on trade and customs revenue functions Section 401(c) of the Safety and Accountability for Every Port Act ( 6 U.S.C. 115(c) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking on Department policies and actions that have and inserting not later than 30 days after proposing, and not later than 30 days before finalizing, any Department policies, initiatives, or actions that will have ; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking not later than 30 days prior to the finalization of and inserting not later than 60 days before proposing, and not later than 60 days before finalizing, . 603. Penalties for customs brokers (a) In general Section 641(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641(d)(1) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (G) has been convicted of committing or conspiring to commit an act of terrorism described in section 2332b of title 18, United States Code. . (b) Technical amendments Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641 ) is amended— (1) by striking the Customs Service each place it appears and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (2) in subsection (d)(2)(B), by striking The Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (3) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking Secretary’s notice and inserting notice under subparagraph (A) . 604. Amendments to chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (a) Articles exported and returned, advanced or improved abroad (1) In general U.S. Note 3 to subchapter II of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) (1) For purposes of subheadings 9802.00.40 and 9802.00.50, fungible articles exported from the United States for the purposes described in such subheadings— (A) may be commingled; and (B) the origin, value, and classification of such articles may be accounted for using an inventory management method. (2) If a person chooses to use an inventory management method under this paragraph with respect to fungible articles, the person shall use the same inventory management method for any other articles with respect to which the person claims fungibility under this paragraph. (3) For the purposes of this paragraph— (A) the term fungible articles means merchandise or articles that, for commercial purposes, are identical or interchangeable in all situations; and (B) the term inventory management method means any method for managing inventory that is based on generally accepted accounting principles. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by this subsection applies to articles classifiable under subheading 9802.00.40 or 9802.00.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Modification of provisions relating to returned property (1) In general The article description for heading 9801.00.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting after exported the following: , or any other products when returned within 3 years after having been exported . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) applies to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Duty-Free treatment for certain United States Government property returned to the United States (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading: 9801.00.11 United States Government property, returned to the United States without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any means while abroad, entered by the United States Government or a contractor to the United States Government, and certified by the importer as United States Government property Free . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 605. Exemption from duty of residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States (a) In general General Note 3(e) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended— (1) in subparagraph (v), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (vi), by adding and at the end; (3) by inserting after subparagraph (vi) (as so amended) the following new subparagraph: (vii) residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States, ; and (4) by adding at the end of the flush text following subparagraph (vii) (as so added) the following: For purposes of subparagraph (vii) of this paragraph: The term residue means material of bulk cargo that remains in an instrument of international traffic after the bulk cargo is removed, with a quantity, by weight or volume, not exceeding 7 percent of the bulk cargo, and with no or de minimis value. The term bulk cargo means cargo that is unpackaged and is in either solid, liquid, or gaseous form. The term instruments of international traffic means containers or holders, capable of and suitable for repeated use, such as lift vans, cargo vans, shipping tanks, skids, pallets, caul boards, and cores for textile fabrics, arriving (whether loaded or empty) in use or to be used in the shipment of merchandise in international traffic, and any additional articles or classes of articles that the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection designates as instruments of international traffic. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic that are imported into the customs territory of the United States on or after such date of enactment and that previously have been exported from the United States. 606. Drawback and refunds (a) Articles made from imported merchandise Section 313(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) ) is amended by striking the full amount of the duties paid upon the merchandise so used shall be refunded as drawback, less 1 per centum of such duties, except that such and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) shall be refunded as drawback, except that . (b) Substitution for drawback purposes Section 313(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking If imported and inserting the following: (1) In general If imported ; (2) by striking and any other merchandise (whether imported or domestic) of the same kind and quality are and inserting or merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise is ; (3) by striking three years and inserting 5 years ; (4) by striking the receipt of such imported merchandise by the manufacturer or producer of such articles and inserting the date of importation of such imported merchandise ; (5) by inserting or articles classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such articles, after any such articles, ; (6) by striking an amount of drawback equal to and all that follows through the end period and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l), but only if those articles have not been used prior to such exportation or destruction. ; and (7) by adding at the end the following: (2) Requirements relating to transfer of merchandise (A) Manufacturers and producers Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to an article manufactured or produced using imported merchandise or other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise only if the manufacturer or producer of the article received such imported merchandise or such other merchandise, directly or indirectly, from the importer. (B) Exporters and destroyers Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to a manufactured or produced article that is exported or destroyed only if the exporter or destroyer received that article or an article classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as that article, directly or indirectly, from the manufacturer or producer. (C) Evidence of transfer Transfers of merchandise under subparagraph (A) and transfers of articles under subparagraph (B) may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer or manufacture shall be required. (3) Submission of bill of materials or formula (A) In general Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to an article manufactured or produced using imported merchandise or other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise only if the person making the drawback claim submits with the claim a bill of materials or formula identifying the merchandise and article by the 8-digit HTS subheading number and the quantity of the merchandise. (B) Bill of materials and formula defined In this paragraph, the terms bill of materials and formula mean records kept in the normal course of business that identify each component incorporated into a manufactured or produced article or that identify the quantity of each element, material, chemical, mixture, or other substance incorporated into a manufactured article. (4) Special rule for sought chemical elements (A) In general For purposes of paragraph (1), a sought chemical element may be— (i) considered imported merchandise, or merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, used in the manufacture or production of an article as described in paragraph (1); and (ii) substituted for source material containing that sought chemical element, without regard to whether the sought chemical element and the source material are classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number, and apportioned quantitatively, as appropriate. (B) Sought chemical element defined In this paragraph, the term sought chemical element means an element listed in the Periodic Table of Elements that is imported into the United States or a chemical compound consisting of those elements, either separately in elemental form or contained in source material. . (c) Merchandise not conforming to sample or specifications Section 313(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(c) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking under a certificate of delivery each place it appears; (B) in subparagraph (D)— (i) by striking 3 and inserting 5 ; and (ii) by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (C) in the flush text at the end, by striking the full amount of the duties paid upon such merchandise, less 1 percent, and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Evidence of transfers Transfers of merchandise under paragraph (1) may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer shall be required. . (d) Proof of exportation Section 313(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(i) ) is amended to read as follows: (i) Proof of exportation A person claiming drawback under this section based on the exportation of an article shall provide proof of the exportation of the article. Such proof of exportation— (1) shall establish fully the date and fact of exportation and the identity of the exporter; and (2) may be established through the use of records kept in the normal course of business or through an electronic export system of the United States Government, as determined by the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. . (e) Unused merchandise drawback Section 313(j) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(j) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i)— (i) by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (ii) by inserting and before the drawback claim is filed after the date of importation ; and (B) in the flush text at the end, by striking 99 percent of the amount of each duty, tax, or fee so paid and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (4) and inserting paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) ; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking commercially interchangeable with and inserting classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as ; (C) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (ii) by inserting and before the drawback claim is filed after the imported merchandise ; and (D) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: (II) received the imported merchandise, other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, or any combination of such imported merchandise and such other merchandise, directly or indirectly from the person who imported and paid any duties, taxes, and fees imposed under Federal law upon importation or entry and due on the imported merchandise (and any such transferred merchandise, regardless of its origin, will be treated as the imported merchandise and any retained merchandise will be treated as domestic merchandise); ; (E) in the flush text at the end— (i) by striking the amount of each such duty, tax, and fee and all that follows through 99 percent of that duty, tax, or fee and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) shall be refunded as drawback ; and (ii) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), drawback shall be allowed under this paragraph with respect to wine if the imported wine and the exported wine are of the same color and the price variation between the imported wine and the exported wine does not exceed 50 percent. Transfers of merchandise may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer shall be required. ; and (3) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking the commercially interchangeable merchandise and inserting merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (5) (A) For purposes of paragraph (2) and except as provided in subparagraph (B), merchandise may not be substituted for imported merchandise for drawback purposes based on the 8-digit HTS subheading number if the article description for the 8-digit HTS subheading number under which the imported merchandise is classified begins with the term other . (B) In cases described in subparagraph (A), merchandise may be substituted for imported merchandise for drawback purposes if— (i) the other merchandise and such imported merchandise are classifiable under the same 10-digit HTS statistical reporting number; and (ii) the article description for that 10-digit HTS statistical reporting number does not begin with the term other . (6) (A) For purposes of paragraph (2), a drawback claimant may use the first 8 digits of the 10-digit Schedule B number for merchandise or an article to determine if the merchandise or article is classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as the imported merchandise, without regard to whether the Schedule B number corresponds to more than one 8-digit HTS subheading number. (B) In this paragraph, the term Schedule B means the Department of Commerce Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. . (f) Liability for drawback claims Section 313(k) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(k) ) is amended to read as follows: (k) Liability for drawback claims (1) In general Any person making a claim for drawback under this section shall be liable for the full amount of the drawback claimed. (2) Liability of importers An importer shall be liable for any drawback claim made by another person with respect to merchandise imported by the importer in an amount equal to the lesser of— (A) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that the person claimed with respect to the imported merchandise; or (B) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that the importer authorized the other person to claim with respect to the imported merchandise. (3) Joint and several liability Persons described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be jointly and severally liable for the amount described in paragraph (2). . (g) Regulations Section 313(l) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(l) ) is amended to read as follows: (l) Regulations (1) In general Allowance of the privileges provided for in this section shall be subject to compliance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe. (2) Calculation of drawback (A) In general Not later than the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (or, if later, the effective date provided for in section 406(q)(2)(B) of that Act), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations for determining the calculation of amounts refunded as drawback under this section. (B) Requirements The regulations required by subparagraph (A) for determining the calculation of amounts refunded as drawback under this section shall provide for a refund of up to 99 percent of the duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise, except that where there is substitution of the merchandise or article, then— (i) in the case of an article that is exported, the amount of the refund shall be equal to 99 percent of the lesser of— (I) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise; or (II) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that would apply to the exported article if the exported article were imported; and (ii) in the case of an article that is destroyed, the amount of the refund shall be an amount that is— (I) equal to 99 percent of the lesser of— (aa) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise; and (bb) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that would apply to the destroyed article if the destroyed article were imported; and (II) reduced by the value of materials recovered during destruction as provided in subsection (x). (3) Status reports on regulations Not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, and annually thereafter until the regulations required by paragraph (2) are final, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of those regulations. . (h) Substitution of finished petroleum derivatives Section 313(p) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(p) ) is amended— (1) by striking Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States each place it appears and inserting HTS ; and (2) in paragraph (3)(A)— (A) in clause (ii)(III), by striking , as so certified in a certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery ; and (B) in the flush text at the end— (i) by striking , as so designated on the certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery ; and (ii) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: The party transferring the merchandise shall maintain records kept in the normal course of business to demonstrate the transfer. . (i) Packaging material Section 313(q) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(q) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed under Federal law on such imported material and inserting in an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed under Federal law on the imported or substituted merchandise used to manufacture or produce such material and inserting in an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking they contain and inserting it contains . (j) Filing of drawback claims Section 313(r) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(r) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking the first sentence and inserting the following: A drawback entry shall be filed or applied for, as applicable, not later than 5 years after the date on which merchandise on which drawback is claimed was imported. ; (B) in the second sentence, by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (C) in the third sentence, by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking The Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (ii) in clauses (i) and (ii), by striking the Customs Service each place it appears and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (iii) in clause (ii)(I), by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the periods of time for retaining records set forth in subsection (t) of this section and and inserting the period of time for retaining records set forth in ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) All drawback claims filed on and after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (or, if later, the effective date provided for in section 406(q)(2)(B) of that Act) shall be filed electronically. . (k) Designation of merchandise by successor Section 313(s) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(s) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection (j), imported merchandise, other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, or any combination of such imported merchandise and such other merchandise, that the predecessor received, before the date of succession, from the person who imported and paid any duties, taxes, and fees due on the imported merchandise; ; and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking certifies that and all that follows and inserting certifies that the transferred merchandise was not and will not be claimed by the predecessor. . (l) Drawback certificates Section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ) is amended by striking subsection (t). (m) Drawback for recovered materials Section 313(x) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(x) ) is amended by striking and (c) and inserting (c), and (j) . (n) Definitions Section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (z) Definitions In this section: (1) Directly The term directly means a transfer of merchandise or an article from one person to another person without any intermediate transfer. (2) HTS The term HTS means the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (3) Indirectly The term indirectly means a transfer of merchandise or an article from one person to another person with one or more intermediate transfers. . (o) Recordkeeping Section 508(c)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1508(c)(3) ) is amended— (1) by striking 3rd and inserting 5th ; and (2) by striking payment and inserting liquidation . (p) Government Accountability Office report (1) In general Not later than one year after the issuance of the regulations required by subsection (l)(2) of section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (g), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the modernization of drawback and refunds under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section. (2) Contents The report required by paragraph (1) include the following: (A) An assessment of the modernization of drawback and refunds under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section. (B) A description of drawback claims that were permissible before the effective date provided for in subsection (q) that are not permissible after that effective date and an identification of industries most affected. (C) A description of drawback claims that were not permissible before the effective date provided for in subsection (q) that are permissible after that effective date and an identification of industries most affected. (q) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by this section shall— (A) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) apply to drawback claims filed on or after the date that is 2 years after such date of enactment. (2) Reporting of operability of Automated Commercial Environment computer system Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than 2 years after such date of enactment, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to Congress a report on— (A) the date on which the Automated Commercial Environment will be ready to process drawback claims; and (B) the date on which the Automated Export System will be ready to accept proof of exportation under subsection (i) of section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by subsection (d). (3) Transition rule During the one-year period beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act (or, if later, the effective date provided for in paragraph (2)(B)), a person may elect to file a claim for drawback under— (A) section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section; or (B) section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 607. Office of the United States Trade Representative (a) Annual report on trade agreements program and national trade policy agenda Section 163(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2213(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) the operation of all United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs during the preceding year and for the year in which the report is submitted. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (4) The report shall include, with respect to the matters referred to in paragraph (1)(C), information regarding— (A) the objectives and priorities of all United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the year, and the reasons therefor; (B) the actions proposed, or anticipated, to be undertaken during the year to achieve such objectives and priorities, including actions authorized under the trade laws and negotiations with foreign countries; (C) the role of each Federal agency participating in the interagency program in achieving such objectives and priorities and activities of each agency with respect to their participation in the program; (D) the United States Trade Representative’s coordination of each participating Federal agency to more effectively achieve such objectives and priorities; (E) any proposed legislation necessary or appropriate to achieve any of such objectives or priorities; and (F) the progress that was made during the preceding year in achieving such objectives and priorities and coordination activities included in the statement provided for such year under this paragraph. . (b) Resource management and staffing plans (1) Annual plan (A) In general The United States Trade Representative shall on an annual basis develop a plan— (i) to match available resources of the Office of the United States Trade Representative to projected workload and provide a detailed analysis of how the funds allocated from the prior fiscal year to date have been spent; (ii) to identify existing staff of the Office and new staff that will be necessary to support the trade negotiation and enforcement functions and powers of the Office (including those of the Trade Policy Staff Committee) as described in section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2171 ) and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 ); (iii) to identify existing staff of the Office and staff of other Federal agencies who will be required to be detailed to support United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs, including any associated expenses; and (iv) to provide a detailed analysis of the budgetary requirements of United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the next fiscal year and provide a detailed analysis of how the funds allocated from the prior fiscal year to date have been spent. (B) Report The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A). The report required under this subparagraph shall be submitted in conjunction with the annual budget of the United States Government required to be submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code. (2) Quadrennial plan (A) In general Pursuant to the goals and objectives of the strategic plan of the Office of the United States Trade Representative as required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code, the United States Trade Representative shall every 4 years develop a plan— (i) to analyze internal quality controls and record management of the Office; (ii) to identify existing staff of the Office and new staff that will be necessary to support the trade negotiation and enforcement functions and powers of the Office (including those of the Trade Policy Staff Committee) as described in section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2171 ) and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 ); (iii) to identify existing staff of the Office and staff in other Federal agencies who will be required to be detailed to support United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs, including any associated expenses; (iv) to provide an outline of budget justifications, including salaries and expenses as well as non-personnel administrative expenses, for the fiscal years required under the strategic plan; and (v) to provide an outline of budget justifications, including salaries and expenses as well as non-personnel administrative expenses, for United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the fiscal years required under the strategic plan. (B) Report (i) In general The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A). Except as provided in clause (ii), the report required under this clause shall be submitted in conjunction with the strategic plan of the Office as required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code. (ii) Exception The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the congressional committees specified in clause (i) an initial report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A) not later than February 1, 2016. 608. United States-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Israel is America’s dependable, democratic ally in the Middle East—an area of paramount strategic importance to the United States. (2) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement formed the modern foundation of the bilateral commercial relationship between the two countries and was the first such agreement signed by the United States with a foreign country. (3) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement has been instrumental in expanding commerce and the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. (4) More than $45 billion in goods and services is traded annually between the two countries in addition to roughly $10 billion in United States foreign direct investment in Israel. (5) The United States continues to look for and find new opportunities to enhance cooperation with Israel, including through the enactment of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–150 ) and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–296 ). (6) It has been the policy of the United States Government to combat all elements of the Arab League Boycott of Israel by— (A) public statements of Administration officials; (B) enactment of relevant sections of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), including sections to ensure foreign persons comply with applicable reporting requirements relating to the boycott; (C) enactment of the 1976 Tax Reform Act ( Public Law 94–455 ) that denies certain tax benefits to entities abiding by the boycott; (D) ensuring through free trade agreements with Bahrain and Oman that such countries no longer participate in the boycott; and (E) ensuring as a condition of membership in the World Trade Organization that Saudi Arabia no longer enforces the secondary or tertiary elements of the boycott. (b) Statements of policy Congress— (1) supports the strengthening of United States-Israel economic cooperation and recognizes the tremendous strategic, economic, and technological value of cooperation with Israel; (2) recognizes the benefit of cooperation with Israel to United States companies, including by improving American competitiveness in global markets; (3) recognizes the importance of trade and commercial relations to the pursuit and sustainability of peace, and supports efforts to bring together the United States, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and others in enhanced commerce; (4) opposes politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment or sanctions; (5) notes that the boycott, divestment, and sanctioning of Israel by governments, governmental bodies, quasi-governmental bodies, international organizations, and other such entities is contrary to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) principle of non-discrimination; (6) encourages the inclusion of politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as a topic of discussion at the U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) and other areas to support the strengthening of the United States-Israel commercial relationship and combat any commercial discrimination against Israel; (7) supports efforts to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories; and (8) supports American States examining a company’s promotion or compliance with unsanctioned boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as part of its consideration in awarding grants and contracts and supports the divestment of State assets from companies that support or promote actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel. (c) Principal trade negotiating objectives of the United States (1) Commercial partnerships Among the principal trade negotiating objectives of the United States for proposed trade agreements with foreign countries regarding commercial partnerships are the following: (A) To discourage actions by potential trading partners that directly or indirectly prejudice or otherwise discourage commercial activity solely between the United States and Israel. (B) To discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel and to seek the elimination of politically motivated non-tariff barriers on Israeli goods, services, or other commerce imposed on the State of Israel. (C) To seek the elimination of state-sponsored unsanctioned foreign boycotts against Israel or compliance with the Arab League Boycott of Israel by prospective trading partners. (2) Effective date This subsection takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to negotiations commenced before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Report on politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a report on politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel. (2) Matters To Be Included The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the establishment of barriers to trade, including non-tariff barriers, investment, or commerce by foreign countries or international organizations against United States persons operating or doing business in Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (B) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to encourage foreign countries and international organizations to cease creating such barriers and to dismantle measures already in place and an assessment of the effectiveness of such steps. (C) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (D) Decisions by foreign persons, including corporate entities and state-affiliated financial institutions, that limit or prohibit economic relations with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli controlled territories. (e) Israel trade and commerce boycott reporting Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78m ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (s) Israel trade and commerce boycott reporting (1) In general Each foreign issuer required to file an annual or quarterly report under subsection (a) shall disclose in that report— (A) whether the issuer has discriminated against doing business with Israel in the last calendar year and in such cases an issuer shall provide a description of the discrimination. (B) whether the issuer has been advised by a foreign government or a non-member state of the United Nations to discriminate against doing business with Israel, entities owned or controlled by the government of Israel, or entities operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory; and (C) any instances where the issuer has learned that a person, foreign government, or a non-member state of the United Nations is boycotting the issuer, divesting themselves of an ownership interest in the issuer, or placing sanctions on the issuer because of the issuer’s relationship with Israel, entities owned or controlled by the government of Israel, or entities operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory. (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Foreign issuer The term foreign issuer means an issuer that is not incorporated in the United States. (B) Non-member states of the United Nations The term non-member states of the United Nations has the meaning given such term by the United Nations. . (f) Foreign judgments against United States persons No court in the United States may recognize or enforce any judgment which is entered by a foreign court against a United States person carrying out business operations in Israel or in any territory controlled by Israel and on which is based a determination by the foreign court that the location in Israel, or in any territory controlled by Israel, of the facilities at which the business operations are carried out is sufficient to constitute a violation of law. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel The term boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel means actions by states, non-member states of the United Nations, international organizations, or affiliated agencies of international organizations that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories. (2) Foreign person The term foreign person means— (A) any natural person who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) ) or who is not a protected individual (as defined in section 274B(a)(3) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) ); and (B) any foreign corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society or any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized to do business in the United States, as well as any international organization, foreign government and any agency or subdivision of foreign government, including a diplomatic mission. (3) Person (A) In general The term person means— (i) a natural person; (ii) a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and (iii) any successor to any entity described in clause (ii). (B) Application to governmental entities The term person does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business enterprise. (4) United states person The term United States person means— (A) a natural person who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22) ); and (B) a corporation or other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, any State or territory thereof, or the District of Columbia, if natural persons described in subparagraph (A) own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock or other beneficial interest in such legal entity. 609. Elimination of consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor; report (a) Elimination of consumptive demand exception (1) In general Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1307 ) is amended by striking The provisions of this section and all that follows through of the United States. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Report required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on compliance with section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1307 ) that includes the following: (1) The number of instances in which merchandise was denied entry pursuant to that section during the 1-year period preceding the submission of the report. (2) A description of the merchandise denied entry pursuant to that section. (3) Such other information as the Commissioner considers appropriate with respect to monitoring and enforcing compliance with that section. 610. Customs user fees (a) In general Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(j)(3) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Fees may be charged under paragraphs (9) and (10) of subsection (a) during the period beginning on July 8, 2025, and ending on July 28, 2025. . (b) Rate for merchandise processing fees Section 503 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( Public Law 112–41 ; 125 Stat. 460) is amended— (1) by striking For the period and inserting (a) In general .—For the period ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Additional period For the period beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending on July 14, 2025, section 13031(a)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(a)(9) ) shall be applied and administered— (1) in subparagraph (A), by substituting 0.3464 for 0.21 ; and (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by substituting 0.3464 for 0.21 . . 611. Report on certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection agreements (a) In general Not later than one year after entering into an agreement under a program specified in subsection (b), and annually thereafter until the termination of the program, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: (1) A description of the development of the program. (2) A description of the type of entity with which U.S. Customs and Border Protection entered into the agreement and the amount that entity reimbursed U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the agreement. (3) An identification of the type of port of entry to which the agreement relates and an assessment of how the agreement provides economic benefits at the port of entry. (4) A description of the services provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the agreement during the year preceding the submission of the report. (5) The amount of fees collected under the agreement during that year. (6) A detailed accounting of how the fees collected under the agreement have been spent during that year. (7) A summary of any complaints or criticism received by U.S. Customs and Border Protection during that year regarding the agreement. (8) An assessment of the compliance of the entity described in paragraph (2) with the terms of the agreement. (9) Recommendations with respect to how activities conducted pursuant to the agreement could function more effectively or better produce economic benefits. (10) A summary of the benefits to and challenges faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the entity described in paragraph (2) under the agreement. (b) Program specified A program specified in this subsection is— (1) the program for entering into reimbursable fee agreements for the provision of U.S. Customs and Border Protection services established by section 560 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 (division D of Public Law 113–6 ; 127 Stat. 378); or (2) the pilot program authorizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enter into partnerships with private sector and government entities at ports of entry established by section 559 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014 (division F of Public Law 113–76 ; 6 U.S.C. 211 note).

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 80 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1907 [Report No. 114–114, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 21, 2015 Mr. Tiberi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security , Foreign Affairs , Financial Services , and the Judiciary , for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned May 14, 2015 Additional sponsors: Mr. Brady of Texas and Mr. Boustany May 14, 2015 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic May 14, 2015 The Committees on Homeland Security , Foreign Affairs , Financial Services , and the Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 21, 2015 A BILL To reauthorize trade facilitation and trade enforcement functions and activities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Title I—Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Sec. 101. Improving partnership programs. Sec. 102. Report on effectiveness of trade enforcement activities. Sec. 103. Priorities and performance standards for customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs. Sec. 104. Educational seminars to improve efforts to classify and appraise imported articles, to improve trade enforcement efforts, and to otherwise facilitate legitimate international trade. Sec. 105. Joint strategic plan. Sec. 106. Automated Commercial Environment. Sec. 107. International Trade Data System. Sec. 108. Consultations with respect to mutual recognition arrangements. Sec. 109. Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee. Sec. 110. Centers of Excellence and Expertise. Sec. 111. Commercial Targeting Division and National Targeting and Analysis Groups. Sec. 112. Report on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures. Sec. 113. Report on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond. Sec. 114. Importer of record program. Sec. 115. Establishment of new importer program. Sec. 116. Customs broker identification of importers. Sec. 117. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers. Title II—Import health and safety Sec. 201. Interagency import safety working group. Sec. 202. Joint import safety rapid response plan. Sec. 203. Training. Title III—Import-related protection of intellectual property rights Sec. 301. Definition of intellectual property rights. Sec. 302. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement. Sec. 303. Seizure of circumvention devices. Sec. 304. Enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of works for which copyright registration is pending. Sec. 305. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. Sec. 306. Joint strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 307. Personnel dedicated to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 308. Training with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sec. 309. International cooperation and information sharing. Sec. 310. Report on intellectual property rights enforcement. Sec. 311. Information for travelers regarding violations of intellectual property rights. Title IV—Prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders Sec. 401. Short title. Sec. 402. Definitions. Sec. 403. Application to Canada and Mexico. Subtitle A—Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws Sec. 411. Trade remedy law enforcement division. Sec. 412. Collection of information on evasion of trade remedy laws. Sec. 413. Access to information. Sec. 414. Cooperation with foreign countries on preventing evasion of trade remedy laws. Sec. 415. Trade negotiating objectives. Subtitle B—Investigation of Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws Sec. 421. Procedures for investigation of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Sec. 422. Government Accountability Office report. Subtitle C—Other Matters Sec. 431. Allocation and training of personnel. Sec. 432. Annual report on prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. Sec. 433. Addressing circumvention by new shippers. Title V—Additional enforcement provisions Sec. 501. Trade enforcement priorities. Sec. 502. Exercise of WTO authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under trade agreements. Sec. 503. Trade monitoring. Title VI—Miscellaneous provisions Sec. 601. De minimis value. Sec. 602. Consultation on trade and customs revenue functions. Sec. 603. Penalties for customs brokers. Sec. 604. Amendments to chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Sec. 605. Exemption from duty of residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States. Sec. 606. Drawback and refunds. Sec. 607. Office of the United States Trade Representative. Sec. 608. United States-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement. Sec. 609. Elimination of consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor; report. Sec. 610. Customs user fees. Sec. 611. Report on certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection agreements. Sec. 612. Certain interest to be included in distributions under Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Automated Commercial Environment The term Automated Commercial Environment means the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ). (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Customs and trade laws of the United States The term customs and trade laws of the United States includes the following: (A) The Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1202 et seq. ). (B) Section 249 of the Revised Statutes ( 19 U.S.C. 3 ). (C) Section 2 of the Act of March 4, 1923 (42 Stat. 1453, chapter 251; 19 U.S.C. 6 ). (D) The Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2071 et seq. ). (E) Section 13031 of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c ). (F) Section 251 of the Revised Statutes ( 19 U.S.C. 66 ). (G) Section 1 of the Act of June 26, 1930 (46 Stat. 817, chapter 617; 19 U.S.C. 68 ). (H) The Foreign Trade Zones Act ( 19 U.S.C. 81a et seq. ). (I) Section 1 of the Act of March 2, 1911 (36 Stat. 965, chapter 191; 19 U.S.C. 198 ). (J) The Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2102 et seq. ). (K) The Trade Agreements Act of 1979 ( 19 U.S.C. 2501 et seq. ). (L) The North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3301 et seq. ). (M) The Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ). (N) The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq. ). (O) The Andean Trade Preference Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3201 et seq. ). (P) The African Growth and Opportunity Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3701 et seq. ). (Q) The Customs Enforcement Act of 1986 ( Public Law 99–570 ; 100 Stat. 3207–79). (R) The Customs and Trade Act of 1990 ( Public Law 101–382 ; 104 Stat. 629). (S) The Customs Procedural Reform and Simplification Act of 1978 ( Public Law 95–410 ; 92 Stat. 888). (T) The Trade Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–210 ; 116 Stat. 933). (U) The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 2601 et seq. ). (V) The Act of March 28, 1928 (45 Stat. 374, chapter 266; 19 U.S.C. 2077 et seq. ). (W) The Act of August 7, 1939 (53 Stat. 1263, chapter 566). (X) Any other provision of law implementing a trade agreement. (Y) Any other provision of law vesting customs revenue functions in the Secretary of the Treasury. (Z) Any other provision of law relating to trade facilitation or trade enforcement that is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on behalf of any Federal agency that is required to participate in the International Trade Data System. (AA) Any other provision of customs or trade law administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (4) Private sector entity The term private sector entity means— (A) an importer; (B) an exporter; (C) a forwarder; (D) an air, sea, or land carrier or shipper; (E) a contract logistics provider; (F) a customs broker; or (G) any other person (other than an employee of a government) affected by the implementation of the customs and trade laws of the United States. (5) Trade enforcement The term trade enforcement means the enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States. (6) Trade facilitation The term trade facilitation refers to policies and activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to facilitating the movement of merchandise into and out of the United States in a manner that complies with the customs and trade laws of the United States. I Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement 101. Improving partnership programs (a) In general In order to advance the security, trade enforcement, and trade facilitation missions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Commissioner shall ensure that partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection established before the date of the enactment of this Act, such as the Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ), and partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection established after such date of enactment, provide trade benefits to private sector entities that meet the requirements for participation in those programs established by the Commissioner under this section. (b) Elements In developing and operating partnership programs under subsection (a), the Commissioner shall— (1) consult with private sector entities, the public, and other Federal agencies when appropriate, to ensure that participants in those programs receive commercially significant and measurable trade benefits, including providing pre-clearance of merchandise for qualified persons that demonstrate the highest levels of compliance with the customs and trade laws of the United States, regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other requirements the Commissioner determines to be necessary; (2) ensure an integrated and transparent system of trade benefits and compliance requirements for all partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (3) consider consolidating partnership programs in situations in which doing so would support the objectives of such programs, increase participation in such programs, enhance the trade benefits provided to participants in such programs, and enhance the allocation of the resources of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (4) coordinate with the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other Federal agencies with authority to detain and release merchandise entering the United States— (A) to ensure coordination in the release of such merchandise through the Automated Commercial Environment, or its predecessor, and the International Trade Data System; (B) to ensure that the partnership programs of those agencies are compatible with the partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (C) to develop criteria for authorizing the release, on an expedited basis, of merchandise for which documentation is required from one or more of those agencies to clear or license the merchandise for entry into the United States; and (D) to create pathways, within and among the appropriate Federal agencies, for qualified persons that demonstrate the highest levels of compliance to receive immediate clearance absent information that a transaction may pose a national security or compliance threat; and (5) ensure that trade benefits are provided to participants in partnership programs. (c) Report required Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and December 31 of each year thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) identifies each partnership program referred to in subsection (a); (2) for each such program, identifies— (A) the requirements for participants in the program; (B) the commercially significant and measurable trade benefits provided to participants in the program; (C) the number of participants in the program; and (D) in the case of a program that provides for participation at multiple tiers, the number of participants at each such tier; (3) identifies the number of participants enrolled in more than one such partnership program; (4) assesses the effectiveness of each such partnership program in advancing the security, trade enforcement, and trade facilitation missions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, based on historical developments, the level of participation in the program, and the evolution of benefits provided to participants in the program; (5) summarizes the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to work with other Federal agencies with authority to detain and release merchandise entering the United States to ensure that partnership programs of those agencies are compatible with partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (6) summarizes criteria developed with those agencies for authorizing the release, on an expedited basis, of merchandise for which documentation is required from one or more of those agencies to clear or license the merchandise for entry into the United States; (7) summarizes the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to work with private sector entities and the public to develop and improve partnership programs referred to in subsection (a); (8) describes measures taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make private sector entities aware of the trade benefits available to participants in such programs; and (9) summarizes the plans, targets, and goals of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to such programs for the 2 years following the submission of the report. 102. Report on effectiveness of trade enforcement activities (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of trade enforcement activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (b) Contents The report required by subsection (a) shall include— (1) a description of the use of resources, results of audits and verifications, targeting, organization, and training of personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (2) a description of trade enforcement activities to address undervaluation, transshipment, legitimacy of entities making entry, protection of revenues, fraud prevention and detection, and penalties, including intentional misclassification, inadequate bonding, and other misrepresentations. 103. Priorities and performance standards for customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs (a) Priorities and performance standards (1) In general The Commissioner, in consultation with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, shall establish priorities and performance standards to measure the development and levels of achievement of the customs modernization, trade facilitation, and trade enforcement functions and programs described in subsection (b). (2) Minimum priorities and standards Such priorities and performance standards shall, at a minimum, include priorities and standards relating to efficiency, outcome, output, and other types of applicable measures. (b) Functions and programs described The functions and programs referred to in subsection (a) are the following: (1) The Automated Commercial Environment. (2) Each of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act. (3) The Centers of Excellence and Expertise described in section 110 of this Act. (4) Drawback for exported merchandise under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ), as amended by section 406 of this Act. (5) Transactions relating to imported merchandise in bond. (6) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ). (7) The expedited clearance of cargo. (8) The issuance of regulations and rulings. (9) The issuance of Regulatory Audit Reports. (c) Consultations and notification (1) Consultations The consultations required by subsection (a)(1) shall occur, at a minimum, on an annual basis. (2) Notification The Commissioner shall notify the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of any changes to the priorities referred to in subsection (a) not later than 30 days before such changes are to take effect. 104. Educational seminars to improve efforts to classify and appraise imported articles, to improve trade enforcement efforts, and to otherwise facilitate legitimate international trade (a) In general (1) Establishment The Commissioner and the Director shall establish and carry out on a fiscal year basis educational seminars to— (A) improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to classify and appraise articles imported into the United States in accordance with the customs and trade laws of the United States; (B) improve the trade enforcement efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel; and (C) otherwise improve the ability and effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to facilitate legitimate international trade. (b) Content (1) Classifying and appraising imported articles In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(A), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel on the following: (A) Conducting a physical inspection of an article imported into the United States, including testing of samples of the article, to determine if the article is mislabeled in the manifest or other accompanying documentation. (B) Reviewing the manifest and other accompanying documentation of an article imported into the United States to determine if the country of origin of the article listed in the manifest or other accompanying documentation is accurate. (C) Customs valuation. (D) Industry supply chains and other related matters as determined to be appropriate by the Commissioner. (2) Trade enforcement efforts In carrying out subsection (a)(1)(B), the Commissioner, the Director, and interested parties in the private sector selected under subsection (c) shall provide instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section to U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel and, as appropriate, to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel to identify opportunities to enhance enforcement of the following: (A) Collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ). (B) Addressing evasion of duties on imports of textiles. (C) Protection of intellectual property rights. (D) Enforcement of child labor laws. (3) Approval of Commissioner and Director The instruction and related instructional materials at each educational seminar under this section shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner and the Director. (c) Selection process (1) In general The Commissioner shall establish a process to solicit, evaluate, and select interested parties in the private sector for purposes of assisting in providing instruction and related instructional materials described in subsection (b) at each educational seminar under this section. (2) Criteria The Commissioner shall evaluate and select interested parties in the private sector under the process established under paragraph (1) based on— (A) availability and usefulness; (B) the volume, value, and incidence of mislabeling or misidentification of origin of imported articles; and (C) other appropriate criteria established by the Commissioner. (3) Public availability The Commissioner and the Director shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed description of the process established under paragraph (1) and the criteria established under paragraph (2). (d) Special rule for antidumping and countervailing duty orders (1) In general The Commissioner shall give due consideration to carrying out an educational seminar under this section in whole or in part to improve the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to enforce a countervailing or antidumping duty order issued under section 706 or 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1671e or 1673e) upon the request of a petitioner in an action underlying such countervailing or antidumping duty order. (2) Interested party A petitioner described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as an interested party in the private sector for purposes of the requirements of this section. (e) Performance standards The Commissioner and the Director shall establish performance standards to measure the development and level of achievement of educational seminars under this section. (f) Reporting Beginning September 30, 2016, the Commissioner and the Director shall submit to the Committee of Finance of the Senate and the Committee of Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an annual report on the effectiveness of educational seminars under this section. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Director The term Director means the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (2) United States The term United States means the customs territory of the United States, as defined in General Note 2 to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (3) U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel The term U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel means import specialists, auditors, and other appropriate employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (4) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel The term U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel means Homeland Security Investigations Directorate personnel and other appropriate employees of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. 105. Joint strategic plan (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall jointly develop and submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, a joint strategic plan. (b) Contents The joint strategic plan required under this section shall be comprised of a comprehensive multi-year plan for trade enforcement and trade facilitation, and shall include— (1) a summary of actions taken during the 2-year period preceding the submission of the plan to improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation, including a description and analysis of specific performance measures to evaluate the progress of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in meeting each such responsibility; (2) a statement of objectives and plans for further improving trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (3) a specific identification of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act, that can be addressed in order to enhance trade enforcement and trade facilitation, and a description of strategies and plans for addressing each such issue; (4) a description of efforts made to improve consultation and coordination among and within Federal agencies, and in particular between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, regarding trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (5) a description of the training that has occurred to date within U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation, including training under section 104 of this Act; (6) a description of efforts to work with the World Customs Organization and other international organizations, in consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate, with respect to enhancing trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (7) a description of U.S. Custom and Border Protection organizational benchmarks for optimizing staffing and wait times at ports of entry; (8) a specific identification of any domestic or international best practices that may further improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation; (9) any legislative recommendations to further improve trade enforcement and trade facilitation; and (10) a description of efforts made to improve consultation and coordination with the private sector to enhance trade enforcement and trade facilitation. (c) Consultations (1) In general In developing the joint strategic plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall consult with— (A) appropriate officials from the relevant Federal agencies, including— (i) the Department of the Treasury; (ii) the Department of Agriculture; (iii) the Department of Commerce; (iv) the Department of Justice; (v) the Department of the Interior; (vi) the Department of Health and Human Services; (vii) the Food and Drug Administration; (viii) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and (ix) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; and (B) the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established by section 109 of this Act. (2) Other consultations In developing the joint strategic plan required under this section, the Commissioner and the Director shall seek to consult with— (A) appropriate officials from relevant foreign law enforcement agencies and international organizations, including the World Customs Organization; and (B) interested parties in the private sector. 106. Automated Commercial Environment (a) Funding Section 13031(f)(4)(B) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking 2003 through 2005 and inserting 2016 through 2018 ; (2) by striking such amounts as are available in that Account and inserting not less than $153,736,000 ; and (3) by striking for the development and inserting to complete the development and implementation . (b) Report Section 311(b)(3) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002 ( 19 U.S.C. 2075 note) is amended to read as follows: (3) Report (A) In general Not later than December 31, 2016, the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report detailing— (i) U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s incorporation of all core trade processing capabilities, including cargo release, entry summary, cargo manifest, cargo financial data, and export data elements into the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ) not later than September 30, 2016, to conform with the admissibility criteria of agencies participating in the International Trade Data System identified pursuant to section 411(d)(4)(A)(iii) of the Tariff Act of 1930; (ii) U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s remaining priorities for processing entry summary data elements, cargo manifest data elements, cargo financial data elements, and export elements in the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, and the objectives and plans for implementing these remaining priorities; (iii) the components of the National Customs Automation Program specified in subsection (a)(2) of section 411 of the Tariff Act of 1930 that have not been implemented; and (iv) any additional components of the National Customs Automation Program initiated by the Commissioner to complete the development, establishment, and implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system. (B) Update of reports Not later than September 30, 2017, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives an updated report addressing each of the matters referred to in subparagraph (A), and— (i) evaluating the effectiveness of the implementation of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system; and (ii) detailing the percentage of trade processed in the Automated Commercial Environment every month since September 30, 2016. . (c) Government accountability office report Not later than December 31, 2017, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report— (1) assessing the progress of other Federal agencies in accessing and utilizing the Automated Commercial Environment; and (2) assessing the potential cost savings to the United States Government and importers and exporters and the potential benefits to enforcement of the customs and trade laws of the United States if the elements identified in clauses (i) through (iv) of section 311(b)(3)(A) of the Customs Border Security Act of 2002, as amended by subsection (b) of this section, are implemented. 107. International Trade Data System Section 411(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1411(d) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) Information technology infrastructure (A) In general The Secretary shall work with the head of each agency participating in the ITDS and the Interagency Steering Committee to ensure that each agency— (i) develops and maintains the necessary information technology infrastructure to support the operation of the ITDS and to submit all data to the ITDS electronically; (ii) enters into a memorandum of understanding, or takes such other action as is necessary, to provide for the information sharing between the agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection necessary for the operation and maintenance of the ITDS; (iii) not later than June 30, 2016, identifies and transmits to the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection the admissibility criteria and data elements required by the agency to authorize the release of cargo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for incorporation into the operational functionality of the Automated Commercial Environment computer system authorized under section 13031(f)(4) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(f)(4) ); and (iv) not later than December 31, 2016, utilizes the ITDS as the primary means of receiving from users the standard set of data and other relevant documentation, exclusive of applications for permits, licenses, or certifications required for the release of imported cargo and clearance of cargo for export. (B) Rule of construction Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require any action to be taken that would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or national security. ; and (3) in paragraph (8), as redesignated, by striking section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) and inserting section 109 of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 . 108. Consultations with respect to mutual recognition arrangements (a) Consultations The Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to any proposed mutual recognition arrangement or similar agreement between the United States and a foreign government providing for mutual recognition of supply chain security programs and customs revenue functions, shall consult— (1) not later than 30 days before initiating negotiations to enter into any such arrangement or similar agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and (2) not later than 30 days before entering into any such arrangement or similar agreement, with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. (b) Negotiating objective It shall be a negotiating objective of the United States in any negotiation for a mutual recognition arrangement with a foreign country on partnership programs, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ), to seek to ensure the compatibility of the partnership programs of that country with the partnership programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enhance trade facilitation and trade enforcement. 109. Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (a) Establishment Not later than the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly establish a Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the Advisory Committee ). (b) Membership (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of— (A) 20 individuals appointed under paragraph (2); (B) the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy of the Department of the Treasury and the Commissioner, who shall jointly co-chair meetings of the Advisory Committee; and (C) the Assistant Secretary for Policy and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security, who shall serve as deputy co-chairs of meetings of the Advisory Committee. (2) Appointment (A) In general The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall jointly appoint 20 individuals from the private sector to the Advisory Committee. (B) Requirements In making appointments under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint members— (i) to ensure that the membership of the Advisory Committee is representative of the individuals and firms affected by the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and (ii) without regard to political affiliation. (C) Terms Each individual appointed to the Advisory Committee under this paragraph shall be appointed for a term of not more than 3 years, and may be reappointed to subsequent terms, but may not serve more than 2 terms sequentially. (3) Transfer of membership The Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security may transfer members serving on the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the United States Customs Service established under section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act to the Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). (c) Duties The Advisory Committee established under subsection (a) shall— (1) advise the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on all matters involving the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including advising with respect to significant changes that are proposed with respect to regulations, policies, or practices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (2) provide recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security on improvements to the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (3) collaborate in developing the agenda for Advisory Committee meetings; and (4) perform such other functions relating to the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as prescribed by law or as the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security jointly direct. (d) Meetings (1) In general The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Homeland Security, or at the call of not less than 2/3 of the membership of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee shall meet at least 4 times each calendar year. (2) Open meetings Notwithstanding section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee meetings shall be open to the public unless the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the meeting will include matters the disclosure of which would compromise the development of policies, priorities, or negotiating objectives or positions that could impact the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or the operations or investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (e) Annual report Not later than December 31, 2016, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) describes the activities of the Advisory Committee during the preceding fiscal year; and (2) sets forth any recommendations of the Advisory Committee regarding the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (f) Termination Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.; relating to the termination of advisory committees) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. (g) Conforming amendment (1) In general Effective on the date on which the Advisory Committee is established under subsection (a), section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is repealed. (2) Reference Any reference in law to the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the United States Customs Service established under section 9503(c) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) made on or after the date on which the Advisory Committee is established under subsection (a), shall be deemed a reference to the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established under subsection (a). 110. Centers of Excellence and Expertise (a) In general The Commissioner shall, in consultation with the Committee on Finance of the Senate, the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee established by section 109 of this Act, develop and implement Centers of Excellence and Expertise throughout U.S. Customs and Border Protection that— (1) enhance the economic competitiveness of the United States by consistently enforcing the laws and regulations of the United States at all ports of entry of the United States and by facilitating the flow of legitimate trade through increasing industry-based knowledge; (2) improve enforcement efforts, including enforcement of priority trade issues described in subparagraph (B)(ii) of section 2(d)(3) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act, in specific industry sectors through the application of targeting information from the Commercial Targeting Division established under subparagraph (A) of such section 2(d)(3) and from other means of verification; (3) build upon the expertise of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in particular industry operations, supply chains, and compliance requirements; (4) promote the uniform implementation at each port of entry of the United States of policies and regulations relating to imports; (5) centralize the trade enforcement and trade facilitation efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (6) formalize an account-based approach to apply, as the Commissioner determines appropriate, to the importation of merchandise into the United States; (7) foster partnerships though the expansion of trade programs and other trusted partner programs; (8) develop applicable performance measurements to meet internal efficiency and effectiveness goals; and (9) whenever feasible, facilitate a more efficient flow of information between Federal agencies. (b) Report Not later than December 31, 2016, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report describing— (1) the scope, functions, and structure of each Center of Excellence and Expertise developed and implemented under subsection (a); (2) the effectiveness of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise in improving enforcement efforts, including enforcement of priority trade issues, and facilitating legitimate trade; (3) the quantitative and qualitative benefits of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise to the trade community, including through fostering partnerships through the expansion of trade programs such as the Importer Self Assessment program and other trusted partner programs; (4) all applicable performance measurements with respect to each such Center of Excellence and Expertise, including performance measures with respect to meeting internal efficiency and effectiveness goals; (5) the performance of each such Center of Excellence and Expertise in increasing the accuracy and completeness of data with respect to international trade and facilitating a more efficient flow of information between Federal agencies; and (6) any planned changes in the number, scope, functions or any other aspect of the Centers of Excellence and Expertise developed and implemented under subsection (a). 111. Commercial Targeting Division and National Targeting and Analysis Groups (a) In general Section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Commercial targeting division and national targeting and analysis groups (A) Establishment of commercial targeting division (i) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade a Commercial Targeting Division. (ii) Composition The Commercial Targeting Division shall be composed of— (I) headquarters personnel led by an Executive Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner for Trade; and (II) individual National Targeting and Analysis Groups, each led by a Director who shall report to the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division. (iii) Duties The Commercial Targeting Division shall be dedicated— (I) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with subparagraph (C); and (II) to issuing Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D). (B) National targeting and analysis groups (i) In general A National Targeting and Analysis Group referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii)(II) shall, at a minimum, be established for each priority trade issue described in clause (ii). (ii) Priority trade issues (I) In general The priority trade issues described in this clause are the following: (aa) Agriculture programs. (bb) Antidumping and countervailing duties. (cc) Import safety. (dd) Intellectual property rights. (ee) Revenue. (ff) Textiles and wearing apparel. (gg) Trade agreements and preference programs. (II) Modification The Commissioner is authorized to establish new priority trade issues and eliminate, consolidate, or otherwise modify the priority trade issues described in this paragraph if the Commissioner— (aa) determines it necessary and appropriate to do so; (bb) submits to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a summary of proposals to consolidate, eliminate, or otherwise modify existing priority trade issues not later than 60 days before such changes are to take effect; and (cc) submits to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a summary of proposals to establish new priority trade issues not later than 30 days after such changes are to take effect. (iii) Duties The duties of each National Targeting and Analysis Group shall include— (I) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that relate to the Group’s priority trade issue; (II) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant Federal departments and agencies regarding the Group’s priority trade issue; and (III) serving as the primary liaison between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the public regarding United States Government activities regarding the Group’s priority trade issue, including— (aa) providing for receipt and transmission to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office of allegations from interested parties in the private sector of violations of customs and trade laws of the United States of merchandise relating to the priority trade issue; (bb) obtaining information from the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office on the status of any activities resulting from the submission of any such allegation, including any decision not to pursue the allegation, and providing any such information to each interested party in the private sector that submitted the allegation every 90 days after the allegation was received by U.S. Customs and Border Protection unless providing such information would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation; and (cc) notifying on a timely basis each interested party in the private sector that submitted such allegation of any civil or criminal actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal department or agency resulting from the allegation. (C) Commercial risk assessment targeting In carrying out its duties with respect to commercial risk assessment targeting, the Commercial Targeting Division shall— (i) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards— (I) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may violate the customs and trade laws of the United States, particularly those laws applicable to merchandise subject to the priority trade issues described in subparagraph (B)(ii); and (II) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in subparagraph (D); and (ii) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use, to administer the methodologies and standards established under clause (i) — (I) publicly available information; (II) information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, the TECS (formerly known as the Treasury Enforcement Communications System ), the case management system of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any successor systems; and (III) information made available to the Commercial Targeting Division, including information provided by private sector entities. (D) Trade alerts (i) Issuance Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under subparagraph (C), the Executive Director of the Commercial Targeting Division and the Directors of the National Targeting and Analysis Groups may issue Trade Alerts to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, or physical examination or testing, of specific merchandise to ensure compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (ii) Determinations not to implement trade alerts The director of a United States port of entry may determine not to conduct further inspections, or physical examination or testing, pursuant to a Trade Alert issued under clause (i) if— (I) the director finds that such a determination is justified by security interests; and (II) notifies the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations and the Assistant Commissioner of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the determination and the reasons for the determination not later than 48 hours after making the determination. (iii) Summary of determinations not to implement The Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall— (I) compile an annual public summary of all determinations by directors of United States ports of entry under clause (ii) and the reasons for those determinations; (II) conduct an evaluation of the utilization of Trade Alerts issued under clause (i); and (III) submit the summary to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives not later than December 31 of each year. (iv) Inspection defined In this subparagraph, the term inspection means the comprehensive evaluation process used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, other than physical examination or testing, to permit the entry of merchandise into the United States, or the clearance of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States, for purposes of— (I) assessing duties; (II) identifying restricted or prohibited items; and (III) ensuring compliance with all applicable customs and trade laws and regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. . (b) Use of trade data for commercial enforcement purposes Section 343(a)(3)(F) of the Trade Act of 2002 ( 19 U.S.C. 2071 note) is amended to read as follows: (F) The information collected pursuant to the regulations shall be used exclusively for ensuring cargo safety and security, preventing smuggling, and commercial risk assessment targeting, and shall not be used for any commercial enforcement purposes, including for determining merchandise entry. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, nothing in this section shall be treated as amending, repealing, or otherwise modifying title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 or regulations prescribed thereunder. . 112. Report on oversight of revenue protection and enforcement measures (a) In general Not later the March 31, 2016, and not later than March 31 of each second year thereafter, the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report assessing, with respect to the period covered by the report, as specified in subsection (b), the following: (1) The effectiveness of the measures taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to protection of revenue, including— (A) the collection of countervailing duties assessed under subtitle A of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) and antidumping duties assessed under subtitle B of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1673 et seq. ); (B) the assessment, collection, and mitigation of commercial fines and penalties; (C) the use of bonds, including continuous and single transaction bonds, to secure that revenue; and (D) the adequacy of the policies of U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to the monitoring and tracking of merchandise transported in bond and collecting duties, as appropriate. (2) The effectiveness of actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to measure accountability and performance with respect to protection of revenue. (3) The number and outcome of investigations instituted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection with respect to the underpayment of duties. (4) The effectiveness of training with respect to the collection of duties provided for personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (b) Period covered by report Each report required by subsection (a) shall cover the period of 2 fiscal years ending on September 30 of the calendar year preceding the submission of the report. 113. Report on security and revenue measures with respect to merchandise transported in bond (a) In general Not later than December 31 of 2016, 2017, and 2018, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on efforts undertaken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure the secure transportation of merchandise in bond through the United States and the collection of revenue owed upon the entry of such merchandise into the United States for consumption. (b) Elements Each report required by subsection (a) shall include, for the fiscal year preceding the submission of the report, information on— (1) the overall number of entries of merchandise for transportation in bond through the United States; (2) the ports at which merchandise arrives in the United States for transportation in bond and at which records of the arrival of such merchandise are generated; (3) the average time taken to reconcile such records with the records at the final destination of the merchandise in the United States to demonstrate that the merchandise reaches its final destination or is re-exported; (4) the average time taken to transport merchandise in bond from the port at which the merchandise arrives in the United States to its final destination in the United States; (5) the total amount of duties, taxes, and fees owed with respect to shipments of merchandise transported in bond and the total amount of such duties, taxes, and fees paid; (6) the total number of notifications by carriers of merchandise being transported in bond that the destination of the merchandise has changed; and (7) the number of entries that remain unreconciled. 114. Importer of record program (a) Establishment Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish an importer of record program to assign and maintain importer of record numbers. (b) Requirements The Secretary shall ensure that, as part of the importer of record program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) develops criteria that importers must meet in order to obtain an importer of record number, including— (A) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to verify the existence of the importer requesting the importer of record number; (B) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify linkages or other affiliations between importers that are requesting or have been assigned importer of record numbers; and (C) criteria to ensure sufficient information is collected to allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify changes in address and corporate structure of importers; (2) provides a process by which importers are assigned importer of record numbers; (3) maintains a centralized database of importer of record numbers, including a history of importer of record numbers associated with each importer, and the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1); (4) evaluates and maintains the accuracy of the database if such information changes; and (5) takes measures to ensure that duplicate importer of record numbers are not issued. (c) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the importer of record program established under subsection (a). (d) Number defined In this subsection, the term number , with respect to an importer of record, means a filing identification number described in section 24.5 of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation) that fully supports the requirements of subsection (b) with respect to the collection and maintenance of information. 115. Establishment of new importer program (a) In general Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall establish a new importer program that directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to adjust bond amounts for new importers based on the level of risk assessed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for protection of revenue of the Federal Government. (b) Requirements The Commissioner shall ensure that, as part of the new importer program established under subsection (a), U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) develops risk-based criteria for determining which importers are considered to be new importers for the purposes of this subsection; (2) develops risk assessment guidelines for new importers to determine if and to what extent— (A) to adjust bond amounts of imported products of new importers; and (B) to increase screening of imported products of new importers; (3) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers relating to the enforcement of the priority trade issues described in paragraph (3)(B)(ii) of section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), as added by section 111(a) of this Act; (4) develops procedures to ensure increased oversight of imported products of new importers by Centers of Excellence and Expertise established under section 110 of this Act; and (5) establishes a centralized database of new importers to ensure accuracy of information that is required to be provided by new importers to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 116. Customs broker identification of importers (a) In general Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (i) Identification of importers (1) In general The Secretary shall prescribe regulations setting forth the minimum standards for customs brokers and importers, including nonresident importers, regarding the identity of the importer that shall apply in connection with the importation of merchandise into the United States. (2) Minimum requirements The regulations shall, at a minimum, require customs brokers to implement, and importers (after being given adequate notice) to comply with, reasonable procedures for— (A) collecting the identity of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States to the extent reasonable and practicable; and (B) maintaining records of the information used to substantiate a person’s identity, including name, address, and other identifying information. (3) Penalties Any customs broker who fails to collect information required under the regulations prescribed under this subsection shall be liable to the United States, at the discretion of the Secretary, for a monetary penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of those regulations and subject to revocation or suspension of a license or permit of the customs broker pursuant to the procedures set forth in subsection (d). (4) Definitions In this subsection— (A) the term importer means one of the parties qualifying as an importer of record under section 484(a)(2)(B); and (B) the term nonresident importer means an importer who is— (i) an individual who is not a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; or (ii) a partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity that is not organized under the laws of a jurisdiction within the customs territory of the United States (as such term is defined in General Note 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) or in the Virgin Islands of the United States. . (b) Study and report required Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall submit to Congress a report containing recommendations for— (1) determining the most timely and effective way to require foreign nationals to provide customs brokers with appropriate and accurate information, comparable to that which is required of United States nationals, concerning the identity, address, and other related information relating to such foreign nationals necessary to enable customs brokers to comply with the requirements of section 641(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a)); and (2) establishing a system for customs brokers to review information maintained by relevant Federal agencies for purposes of verifying the identities of importers, including nonresident importers, seeking to import merchandise into the United States. 117. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers (a) In general Part III of title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1481 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 484b the following new section: 484c. Requirements applicable to non-resident importers (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (c), if an importer of record under section 484 of this Act is not a resident of the United States, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to designate a resident agent in the United States subject to the requirements described in subsection (b). (b) Requirements The requirements described in this subsection are the following: (1) The resident agent shall be authorized to accept service of process against the non-resident importer in connection with the importation of merchandise. (2) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall require the non-resident importer to establish a power of attorney with the resident agent in connection with the importation of merchandise. (c) Non-applicability The requirements of this section shall not apply with respect to a non-resident importer who is a validated Tier 2 or Tier 3 participant in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program established under subtitle B of title II of the SAFE Port Act ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq. ). (d) Penalties (1) In general It shall be unlawful for any person to import into the United States any merchandise in violation of this section. (2) Civil penalties Any person who violates paragraph (1) shall be liable for a civil penalty of $50,000 for each such violation. (3) Other penalties In addition to the penalties specified in paragraph (2), any violation of this section that violates any other customs and trade laws of the United States shall be subject to any applicable civil and criminal penalty, including seizure and forfeiture, that may be imposed under such customs or trade law or title 18, United States Code, with respect to the importation of merchandise. (4) Definition In this subsection, the term customs and trade laws of the United States has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Customs Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015. . (b) Effective date Section 484c of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (a), takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to the importation of merchandise of an importer of record under section 484 of the Tariff Act of 1930 who is not resident of the United States on or after the date that is 180 days after such date of enactment. II Import health and safety 201. Interagency import safety working group (a) Establishment There is established an interagency Import Safety Working Group. (b) Membership The interagency Import Safety Working Group shall consist of the following officials or their designees: (1) The Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall serve as the Chair. (2) The Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as the Vice Chair. (3) The Secretary of the Treasury. (4) The Secretary of Commerce. (5) The Secretary of Agriculture. (6) The United States Trade Representative. (7) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (8) The Commissioner of Food and Drugs. (9) The Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (10) The Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (11) The Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (12) The head of any other Federal agency designated by the President to participate in the interagency Import Safety Working Group, as appropriate. (c) Duties The duties of the interagency Import Safety Working Group shall include— (1) consulting on the development of the joint import safety rapid response plan required by section 202 of this Act; (2) periodically evaluating the adequacy of the plans, practices, and resources of the Federal Government dedicated to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported in the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise, including— (A) minimizing the duplication of efforts among agencies the heads of which are members of the interagency Import Safety Working Group and ensuring the compatibility of the policies and regulations of those agencies; and (B) recommending additional administrative actions, as appropriate, designed to ensure the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise and considering the impact of those actions on private sector entities; (3) reviewing the engagement and cooperation of foreign governments and foreign manufacturers in facilitating the inspection and certification, as appropriate, of such merchandise to be imported into the United States and the facilities producing such merchandise to ensure the safety of the merchandise and the expeditious entry of the merchandise into the United States; (4) identifying best practices, in consultation with private sector entities as appropriate, to assist United States importers in taking all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of merchandise imported into the United States, including with respect to— (A) the inspection of manufacturing facilities in foreign countries; (B) the inspection of merchandise destined for the United States before exportation from a foreign country or before distribution in the United States; and (C) the protection of the international supply chain (as defined in section 2 of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006 ( 6 U.S.C. 901 )); (5) identifying best practices to assist Federal, State, and local governments and agencies, and port authorities, to improve communication and coordination among such agencies and authorities with respect to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise; and (6) otherwise identifying appropriate steps to increase the accountability of United States importers and the engagement of foreign government agencies with respect to ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise. 202. Joint import safety rapid response plan (a) In general Not later than December 31, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the interagency Import Safety Working Group, shall develop a plan (to be known as the joint import safety rapid response plan ) that sets forth protocols and defines practices for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use— (1) in taking action in response to, and coordinating Federal responses to, an incident in which cargo destined for or merchandise entering the United States has been identified as posing a threat to the health or safety of consumers in the United States; and (2) in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions and responses to an incident described in paragraph (1). (b) Contents The joint import safety rapid response plan shall address— (1) the statutory and regulatory authorities and responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies in responding to an incident described in subsection (a)(1); (2) the protocols and practices to be used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection when taking action in response to, and coordinating Federal responses to, such an incident; (3) the measures to be taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies in recovering from or mitigating the effects of actions taken in response to such an incident after the incident to ensure the resumption of the entry of merchandise into the United States; and (4) exercises that U.S. Customs and Border Protection may conduct in conjunction with Federal, State, and local agencies, and private sector entities, to simulate responses to such an incident. (c) Updates of plan The Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and update the joint import safety rapid response plan, as appropriate, after conducting exercises under subsection (d). (d) Import health and safety exercises (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Commissioner shall periodically engage in the exercises referred to in subsection (b)(4), in conjunction with Federal, State, and local agencies and private sector entities, as appropriate, to test and evaluate the protocols and practices identified in the joint import safety rapid response plan at United States ports of entry. (2) Requirements for exercises In conducting exercises under paragraph (1), the Secretary and the Commissioner shall— (A) make allowance for the resources, needs, and constraints of United States ports of entry of different sizes in representative geographic locations across the United States; (B) base evaluations on current risk assessments of merchandise entering the United States at representative United States ports of entry located across the United States; (C) ensure that such exercises are conducted in a manner consistent with the National Incident Management System, the National Response Plan, the National Infrastructure Protection Plan, the National Preparedness Guidelines, the Maritime Transportation System Security Plan, and other such national initiatives of the Department of Homeland Security, as appropriate; and (D) develop metrics with respect to the resumption of the entry of merchandise into the United States after an incident described in subsection (a)(1). (3) Requirements for testing and evaluation The Secretary and the Commissioner shall ensure that the testing and evaluation carried out in conducting exercises under paragraph (1)— (A) are performed using clear and objective performance measures; and (B) result in the identification of specific recommendations or best practices for responding to an incident described in subsection (a)(1). (4) Dissemination of recommendations and best practices The Secretary and the Commissioner shall— (A) share the recommendations or best practices identified under paragraph (3)(B) among the members of the interagency Import Safety Working Group and with, as appropriate— (i) State, local, and tribal governments; (ii) foreign governments; and (iii) private sector entities; and (B) use such recommendations and best practices to update the joint import safety rapid response plan. 203. Training The Commissioner shall ensure that personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection assigned to United States ports of entry are trained to effectively administer the provisions of this title and to otherwise assist in ensuring the safety of merchandise imported into the United States and the expeditious entry of such merchandise. III Import-related protection of intellectual property rights 301. Definition of intellectual property rights In this title, the term intellectual property rights refers to copyrights, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual property rights that are enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 302. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement (a) In general The Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after section 628 ( 19 U.S.C. 1628 ) the following new section: 628A. Exchange of information related to trade enforcement (a) In general Subject to subsections (c) and (d), if the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection suspects that merchandise is being imported into the United States in violation of section 526 of this Act or section 602, 1201(a)(2), or 1201(b)(1) of title 17, United States Code, and determines that the examination or testing of the merchandise by a person described in subsection (b) would assist the Commissioner in determining if the merchandise is being imported in violation of that section, the Commissioner, to permit the person to conduct the examination and testing— (1) shall provide to the person information that appears on the merchandise and its packaging and labels, including unredacted images of the merchandise and its packaging and labels; and (2) may, subject to any applicable bonding requirements, provide to the person unredacted samples of the merchandise. (b) Person described A person described in this subsection is— (1) in the case of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of section 526, the owner of the trademark suspected of being copied or simulated by the merchandise; (2) in the case of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of section 602 of title 17, United States Code, the owner of the copyright suspected of being infringed by the merchandise; (3) in the case of merchandise suspected of being primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing a technological measure that effectively controls access to a work protected under that title, and being imported in violation of section 1201(a)(2) of that title, the owner of a copyright in the work; and (4) in the case of merchandise suspected of being primarily designed or produced for the purpose of circumventing protection afforded by a technological measure that effectively protects a right of an owner of a copyright in a work or a portion of a work, and being imported in violation of section 1201(b)(1) of that title, the owner of the copyright. (c) Limitation Subsection (a) applies only with respect to merchandise suspected of infringing a trademark or copyright that is recorded with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (d) Exception The Commissioner may not provide under subsection (a) information, photographs, or samples to a person described in subsection (b) if providing such information, photographs, or samples would compromise an ongoing law enforcement investigation or national security. . (b) Termination of previous authority Notwithstanding paragraph (2) of section 818(g) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( Public Law 112–81 ; 125 Stat. 1496; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note), paragraph (1) of that section shall have no force or effect on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 303. Seizure of circumvention devices (a) In general Section 596(c)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1595a(c)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking or ; (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (G) U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines it is a technology, product, service, device, component, or part thereof the importation of which is prohibited under subsection (a)(2) or (b)(1) of section 1201 of title 17, United States Code. . (b) Notification of persons injured (1) In general Not later than the date that is 30 business days after seizing merchandise pursuant to subparagraph (G) of section 596(c)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (a), the Commissioner shall provide to any person identified under paragraph (2) information regarding the merchandise seized that is equivalent to information provided to copyright owners under regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for merchandise seized for violation of the copyright laws. (2) Persons to be provided information Any person injured by the violation of (a)(2) or (b)(1) of section 1201 of title 17, United States Code, that resulted in the seizure of the merchandise shall be provided information under paragraph (1), if that person is included on a list maintained by the Commissioner that is revised annually through publication in the Federal Register. (3) Regulations Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations establishing procedures that implement this subsection. 304. Enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection of works for which copyright registration is pending Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall authorize a process pursuant to which the Commissioner shall enforce a copyright for which the owner has submitted an application for registration under title 17, United States Code, with the United States Copyright Office, to the same extent and in the same manner as if the copyright were registered with the Copyright Office, including by sharing information, images, and samples of merchandise suspected of infringing the copyright under section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by section 302. 305. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (a) Establishment The Secretary of Homeland Security shall— (1) establish within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement a National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; and (2) appoint an Assistant Director to head the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center. (b) Duties The Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall— (1) coordinate the investigation of sources of merchandise that infringe intellectual property rights to identify organizations and individuals that produce, smuggle, or distribute such merchandise; (2) conduct and coordinate training with other domestic and international law enforcement agencies on investigative best practices— (A) to develop and expand the capability of such agencies to enforce intellectual property rights; and (B) to develop metrics to assess whether the training improved enforcement of intellectual property rights; (3) coordinate, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, activities conducted by the United States to prevent the importation or exportation of merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights; (4) support the international interdiction of merchandise destined for the United States that infringes intellectual property rights; (5) collect and integrate information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights from domestic and international law enforcement agencies and other non-Federal sources; (6) develop a means to receive and organize information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights from such agencies and other sources; (7) disseminate information regarding infringement of intellectual property rights to other Federal agencies, as appropriate; (8) develop and implement risk-based alert systems, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to improve the targeting of persons that repeatedly infringe intellectual property rights; (9) coordinate with the offices of United States attorneys in order to develop expertise in, and assist with the investigation and prosecution of, crimes relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights; and (10) carry out such other duties as the Secretary of Homeland Security may assign. (c) Coordination with other agencies In carrying out the duties described in subsection (b), the Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall coordinate with— (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (2) the Food and Drug Administration; (3) the Department of Justice; (4) the Department of Commerce, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office; (5) the United States Postal Inspection Service; (6) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; (7) any Federal, State, local, or international law enforcement agencies that the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement considers appropriate; and (8) any other entities that the Director considers appropriate. (d) Private sector outreach (1) In general The Assistant Director of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center shall work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other Federal agencies to conduct outreach to private sector entities in order to determine trends in and methods of infringing intellectual property rights. (2) Information sharing The Assistant Director shall share information and best practices with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights with private sector entities, as appropriate, in order to coordinate public and private sector efforts to combat the infringement of intellectual property rights. 306. Joint strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall include in the joint strategic plan required by section 105 of this Act— (1) a description of the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security to enforce intellectual property rights; (2) a list of the 10 United States ports of entry at which U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized the most merchandise, both by volume and by value, that infringes intellectual property rights during the most recent 2-year period for which data are available; and (3) a recommendation for the optimal allocation of personnel, resources, and technology to ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are adequately enforcing intellectual property rights. 307. Personnel dedicated to the enforcement of intellectual property rights (a) Personnel of U.S. customs and border protection The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned throughout U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, respectively, who have responsibility for preventing the importation into the United States of merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights. (b) Staffing of national intellectual property rights coordination center The Commissioner shall— (1) assign not fewer than 3 full-time employees of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center established under section 305 of this Act; and (2) ensure that sufficient personnel are assigned to United States ports of entry to carry out the directives of the Center. 308. Training with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights (a) Training The Commissioner shall ensure that officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection are trained to effectively detect and identify merchandise destined for the United States that infringes intellectual property rights, including through the use of technologies identified under subsection (c). (b) Consultation with private sector The Commissioner shall consult with private sector entities to better identify opportunities for collaboration between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and such entities with respect to training for officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in enforcing intellectual property rights. (c) Identification of new technologies In consultation with private sector entities, the Commissioner shall identify— (1) technologies with the cost-effective capability to detect and identify merchandise at United States ports of entry that infringes intellectual property rights; and (2) cost-effective programs for training officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use such technologies. (d) Donations of technology Not later than the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall prescribe regulations to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection to receive donations of hardware, software, equipment, and similar technologies, and to accept training and other support services, from private sector entities, for the purpose of enforcing intellectual property rights. 309. International cooperation and information sharing (a) Cooperation The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with the competent law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries, including by sharing information relevant to enforcement actions, to enhance the efforts of the United States and such authorities to enforce intellectual property rights. (b) Technical assistance The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide technical assistance to competent law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries to enhance the ability of such authorities to enforce intellectual property rights. (c) Interagency collaboration The Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall lead interagency efforts to collaborate with law enforcement and customs authorities of foreign countries to enforce intellectual property rights. 310. Report on intellectual property rights enforcement Not later than June 30, 2016, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner and the Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shall jointly submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that contains the following: (1) With respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, the following: (A) The number of referrals from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement relating to infringement of intellectual property rights during the preceding year. (B) The number of investigations relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights referred by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to a United States attorney for prosecution and the United States attorneys to which those investigations were referred. (C) The number of such investigations accepted by each such United States attorney and the status or outcome of each such investigation. (D) The number of such investigations that resulted in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties. (E) A description of the efforts of U.S. Custom and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to improve the success rates of investigations and prosecutions relating to the infringement of intellectual property rights. (2) An estimate of the average time required by the Office of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to respond to a request from port personnel for advice with respect to whether merchandise detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection infringed intellectual property rights, distinguished by types of intellectual property rights infringed. (3) A summary of the outreach efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with respect to— (A) the interdiction and investigation of, and the sharing of information between those agencies and other Federal agencies to prevent the infringement of intellectual property rights; (B) collaboration with private sector entities— (i) to identify trends in the infringement of, and technologies that infringe, intellectual property rights; (ii) to identify opportunities for enhanced training of officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and (iii) to develop best practices to enforce intellectual property rights; and (C) coordination with foreign governments and international organizations with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights. (4) A summary of the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to address the challenges with respect to the enforcement of intellectual property rights presented by Internet commerce and the transit of small packages and an identification of the volume, value, and type of merchandise seized for infringing intellectual property rights as a result of such efforts. (5) A summary of training relating to the enforcement of intellectual property rights conducted under section 308 of this Act and expenditures for such training. 311. Information for travelers regarding violations of intellectual property rights (a) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop and carry out an educational campaign to inform travelers entering or leaving the United States about the legal, economic, and public health and safety implications of acquiring merchandise that infringes intellectual property rights outside the United States and importing such merchandise into the United States in violation of United States law. (b) Declaration forms The Commissioner shall ensure that all versions of Declaration Form 6059B of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or a successor form, including any electronic equivalent of Declaration Form 6059B or a successor form, printed or displayed on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act include a written warning to inform travelers arriving in the United States that importation of merchandise into the United States that infringes intellectual property rights may subject travelers to civil or criminal penalties and may pose serious risks to safety or health. IV Prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders 401. Short title This title may be cited as the Preventing Recurring Trade Evasion and Circumvention Act or PROTECT Act . 402. Definitions In this title: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means— (A) the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. (2) Covered merchandise The term covered merchandise means merchandise that is subject to— (A) a countervailing duty order issued under section 706 of the Tariff Act of 1930; or (B) an antidumping duty order issued under section 736 of the Tariff Act of 1930. (3) Eligible small business (A) In general The term eligible small business means any business concern which, in the Commissioner’s judgment, due to its small size, has neither adequate internal resources nor financial ability to obtain qualified outside assistance in preparing and submitting for consideration allegations of evasion. (B) Non-reviewability Any agency decision regarding whether a business concern is an eligible small business for purposes of section 411(b)(4)(E) is not reviewable by any other agency or by any court. (4) Enter; entry The terms enter and entry refer to the entry, or withdrawal from warehouse for consumption, in the customs territory of the United States. (5) Evade; evasion The terms evade and evasion refer to entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of any document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is material and false, or any omission that is material, and that results in any cash deposit or other security or any amount of applicable antidumping or countervailing duties being reduced or not being applied with respect to the merchandise. (6) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury. (7) Trade remedy laws The term trade remedy laws means title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930. 403. Application to Canada and Mexico Pursuant to article 1902 of the North American Free Trade Agreement and section 408 of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3438 ), this title and the amendments made by this title shall apply with respect to goods from Canada and Mexico. A Actions Relating to Enforcement of Trade Remedy Laws 411. Trade remedy law enforcement division (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish and maintain within the Office of International Trade of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, established under section 2(d) of the Act of March 3, 1927 (44 Stat. 1381, chapter 348; 19 U.S.C. 2072(d) ), a Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division. (2) Composition The Trade Law Remedy Enforcement Division shall be composed of— (A) headquarters personnel led by a Director, who shall report to the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade; and (B) a National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion. (3) Duties The Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall be dedicated— (A) to the development and administration of policies to prevent and counter evasion; (B) to direct enforcement and compliance assessment activities concerning evasion; (C) to the development and conduct of commercial risk assessment targeting with respect to cargo destined for the United States in accordance with subsection (c); (D) to issuing Trade Alerts described in subsection (d); and (E) to the development of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk of noncollection. (b) Duties of director The duties of the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall include— (1) directing the trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that concern evasion; (2) facilitating, promoting, and coordinating cooperation and the exchange of information between U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and other relevant agencies regarding evasion; (3) notifying on a timely basis the administering authority (as defined in section 771(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677(1) )) and the Commission (as defined in section 771(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677(2) )) of any finding, determination, civil action, or criminal action taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal agency regarding evasion; (4) serving as the primary liaison between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the public regarding United States Government activities concerning evasion, including— (A) receive and transmit to the appropriate U.S. Customs and Border Protection office allegations from parties of evasion; (B) upon request by the party or parties that submitted an allegation of evasion, provide information to such party or parties on the status of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s consideration of the allegation and decision to pursue or not pursue any administrative inquiries or other actions, such as changes in policies, procedures, or resource allocation as a result of the allegation; (C) as needed, request from the party or parties that submitted an allegation of evasion any additional information that may be relevant for U.S. Customs and Border Protection determining whether to initiate an administrative inquiry or take any other action regarding the allegation; (D) notify on a timely basis the party or parties that submitted such an allegation of the results of any administrative, civil or criminal actions taken by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other Federal agency regarding evasion as a direct or indirect result of the allegation; (E) upon request, provide technical assistance and advice to eligible small businesses to enable such businesses to prepare and submit allegations of evasion, except that the Director may deny assistance if the Director concludes that the allegation, if submitted, would not lead to the initiation of an administrative inquiry or any other action to address the allegation; (F) in cooperation with the public, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and any other relevant parties and organizations, develop guidelines on the types and nature of information that may be provided in allegations of evasion; and (G) regularly consult with the public, the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee, the Trade Support Network, and any other relevant parties and organizations regarding the development and implementation of regulations, interpretations, and policies related to countering evasion. (c) Preventing and countering evasion of the trade remedy laws In carrying out its duties with respect to preventing and countering evasion, the National Targeting and Analysis Group dedicated to preventing and countering evasion shall— (1) establish targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards— (A) for evaluating the risk that cargo destined for the United States may constitute evading covered merchandise; and (B) for issuing, as appropriate, Trade Alerts described in subsection (d); and (2) to the extent practicable and otherwise authorized by law, use information available from the Automated Commercial System, the Automated Commercial Environment computer system, the Automated Targeting System, the Automated Export System, the International Trade Data System, and the TECS, and any similar and successor systems, to administer the methodologies and standards established under paragraph (1). (d) Trade alerts Based upon the application of the targeted risk assessment methodologies and standards established under subsection (c), the Director of the Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Division shall issue Trade Alerts or other such means of notification to directors of United States ports of entry directing further inspection, physical examination, or testing of merchandise to ensure compliance with the trade remedy laws and to require additional bonds, cash deposits, or other security to ensure collection of any duties, taxes and fees owed. 412. Collection of information on evasion of trade remedy laws (a) Authority to collect information To determine whether covered merchandise is being entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner— (1) shall exercise all existing authorities to collect information needed to make the determination; and (2) may collect such additional information as is necessary to make the determination through such methods as the Commissioner considers appropriate, including by issuing questionnaires with respect to the entry or entries at issue to— (A) a person who filed an allegation with respect to the covered merchandise; (B) a person who is alleged to have entered the covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; or (C) any other person who is determined to have information relevant to the allegation of entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. (b) Adverse inference (1) In general If the Secretary finds that a person who filed an allegation, a person alleged to have entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, or a foreign producer or exporter of covered merchandise that is alleged to have entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of the person’s ability to comply with a request for information, the Secretary may, in making a determination whether an entry or entries of covered merchandise may constitute merchandise that is entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that person in selecting from among the facts otherwise available to determine whether evasion has occurred. (2) Adverse inference described An adverse inference used under paragraph (1) may include reliance on information derived from— (A) the allegation of evasion of the trade remedy laws, if any, submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection; (B) a determination by the Commissioner in another investigation, proceeding, or other action regarding evasion of the unfair trade laws; or (C) any other available information. 413. Access to information (a) In general Section 777(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677f(b)(1)(A)(ii) ) is amended by inserting negligence, gross negligence, or after regarding . (b) Additional information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized to provide to the Secretary of Commerce or the United States International Trade Commission any information that is necessary to enable the Secretary of Commerce or the United States International Trade Commission to assist the Secretary to identify, through risk assessment targeting or otherwise, covered merchandise that is entered into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. 414. Cooperation with foreign countries on preventing evasion of trade remedy laws (a) Bilateral agreements (1) In general The Secretary shall seek to negotiate and enter into bilateral agreements with the customs authorities or other appropriate authorities of foreign countries for purposes of cooperation on preventing evasion of the trade remedy laws of the United States and the trade remedy laws of the other country. (2) Provisions and authorities The Secretary shall seek to include in each such bilateral agreement the following provisions and authorities: (A) On the request of the importing country, the exporting country shall provide, consistent with its laws, regulations, and procedures, production, trade, and transit documents and other information necessary to determine whether an entry or entries exported from the exporting country are subject to the importing country’s trade remedy laws. (B) On the written request of the importing country, the exporting country shall conduct a verification for purposes of enabling the importing country to make a determination described in subparagraph (A). (C) The exporting country may allow the importing country to participate in a verification described in subparagraph (B), including through a site visit. (D) If the exporting country does not allow participation of the importing country in a verification described in subparagraph (B), the importing country may take this fact into consideration in its trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities regarding the compliance of the exporting country’s exports with the importing country’s trade remedy laws. (b) Consideration The Commissioner is authorized to take into consideration whether a country is a signatory to a bilateral agreement described in subsection (a) and the extent to which the country is cooperating under the bilateral agreement for purposes of trade enforcement and compliance assessment activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection that concern evasion by such country’s exports. (c) Report Not later than December 31 of each year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report summarizing— (1) the status of any ongoing negotiations of bilateral agreements described in subsection (a), including the identities of the countries involved in such negotiations; (2) the terms of any completed bilateral agreements described in subsection (a); and (3) bilateral cooperation and other activities conducted pursuant to or enabled by any completed bilateral agreements described in subsection (a). 415. Trade negotiating objectives The principal negotiating objectives of the United States shall include obtaining the objectives of the bilateral agreements described under section 414(a) for any trade agreements under negotiation as of the date of the enactment of this Act or future trade agreement negotiations. B Investigation of Evasion of Trade Remedy Laws 421. Procedures for investigation of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) In general Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 781 the following: 781A. Procedures for prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administering authority The term administering authority has the meaning given that term in section 771. (2) Commissioner The term Commissioner means the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (3) Covered merchandise The term covered merchandise means merchandise that is subject to— (A) a countervailing duty order issued under section 706; or (B) an antidumping duty order issued under section 736. (4) Evasion (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term evasion refers to entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of any document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is material and false, or any omission that is material, and that results in any cash deposit or other security or any amount of applicable antidumping or countervailing duties being reduced or not being applied with respect to the merchandise. (B) Exception for clerical error (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), the term evasion does not include entering covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of— (I) a document or electronically transmitted data or information, written or oral statement, or act that is false as a result of a clerical error; or (II) an omission that results from a clerical error. (ii) Patterns of negligent conduct If the Commissioner determines that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of a clerical error referred to in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i) and that the clerical error is part of a pattern of negligent conduct on the part of that person, the Commissioner may determine, notwithstanding clause (i), that the person has entered such covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. (iii) Electronic repetition of errors For purposes of clause (ii), the mere nonintentional repetition by an electronic system of an initial clerical error does not constitute a pattern of negligent conduct. (iv) Rule of construction A determination by the Commissioner that a person has entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States by means of a clerical error referred to in subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i) rather than through evasion shall not be construed to excuse that person from the payment of any duties applicable to the merchandise. (b) Prevention by administering authority (1) Procedures for initiating investigations (A) Initiation by administering authority An investigation under this subsection shall be initiated with respect to merchandise imported into the United States whenever the administering authority determines, from information available to the administering authority, that an investigation is warranted with respect to whether the merchandise is covered merchandise. (B) Initiation by petition or referral (i) In general The administering authority shall determine whether to initiate an investigation under this subparagraph not later than 30 days after the date on which the administering authority receives a petition described in clause (ii) or a referral described in clause (iii). (ii) Petition described A petition described in this clause is a petition that— (I) is filed with the administering authority by an interested party specified in subparagraph (A), (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of section 771(9); (II) alleges that merchandise imported into the United States is covered merchandise; and (III) is accompanied by information reasonably available to the petitioner supporting those allegations. (iii) Referral described A referral described in this clause is a referral made by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (c)(1). (2) Time limits for determinations (A) Preliminary determination (i) In general Not later than 90 days after the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to merchandise, the administering authority shall issue a preliminary determination, based on information available to the administering authority at the time of the determination, with respect to whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that the merchandise is covered merchandise. (ii) Expedited procedures If the administering authority determines that expedited action is warranted with respect to an investigation initiated under paragraph (1), the administering authority may publish the notice of initiation of the investigation and the notice of the preliminary determination in the Federal Register at the same time. (B) Final determination by the administering authority The administering authority shall issue a final determination with respect to whether merchandise is covered merchandise not later than 300 days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to the merchandise. (3) Access to information (A) Entry documents, records, and other information Upon receiving a request from the administering authority, and not later than 10 days after receiving the administering authority’s request, the Commissioner shall transmit to the administering authority copies of the documentation and information required by section 484(a)(1) with respect to the entry of the merchandise, as well as any other documentation or information requested by the administering authority. (B) Access of interested parties Not later than 10 business days after the date on which the administering authority initiates an investigation under paragraph (1) with respect to merchandise, the administering authority shall provide to the authorized representative of each interested party that filed a petition under paragraph (1) or otherwise participates in a proceeding, pursuant to a protective order, the copies of the entry documentation and any other information received by the administering authority under subparagraph (A). (C) Business proprietary information from prior segments Where an authorized representative to an interested party participating in an investigation under paragraph (1) has access to business proprietary information released pursuant to administrative protective order in a proceeding under 19 U.S.C. §§ 1671 et seq., 1673 et seq., or 1675 et seq. that is relevant to the investigation conducted under paragraph (1), that authorized representative may submit such information to the administering authority for its consideration in the context of the investigation conducted under paragraph (1). (4) Authority to collect and verify additional information In making a determination under paragraph (2) with respect to covered merchandise, the administering authority may collect such additional information as is necessary to make the determination through such methods as the administering authority considers appropriate, including by— (A) issuing a questionnaire with respect to such covered merchandise to— (i) a person that filed an allegation under paragraph (1)(B)(ii) that resulted in the initiation of an investigation under paragraph (1)(A) with respect to such covered merchandise; (ii) a person alleged to have entered such covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; (iii) a person that is a foreign producer or exporter of such covered merchandise; or (iv) the government of a country from which such covered merchandise was exported; (B) conducting verifications, including on-site verifications, of any relevant information; and (C) requesting— (i) that the Commissioner provide any information and data available to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and (ii) that the Commissioner gather additional necessary information from the importer of covered merchandise and other relevant parties. (5) Adverse inference If the administering authority finds that a person described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (4)(A) has failed to cooperate by not acting to the best of the person’s ability to comply with a request for information, the administering authority may, in making a determination under paragraph (2), use an inference that is adverse to the interests of that person in selecting from among the facts otherwise available to make the determination. (6) Effect of affirmative preliminary determination If the administering authority makes a preliminary determination under paragraph (2)(A) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority shall instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (A) to suspend liquidation of each entry of the merchandise that— (i) enters on or after the date of the preliminary determination; or (ii) enters before that date, if the liquidation of the entry is not final on that date; and (B) to require the posting of a cash deposit for each entry of the merchandise in an amount determined pursuant to the order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or administrative review conducted under section 751, that applies to the merchandise. (7) Effect of affirmative final determination (A) In general If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority shall instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (i) to assess duties on the merchandise in an amount determined pursuant to the order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or administrative review conducted under section 751, that applies to the merchandise; (ii) notwithstanding section 501, to reliquidate, in accordance with such order, finding, or administrative review, each entry of the merchandise that was liquidated and is determined to include covered merchandise; and (iii) to review and reassess the amount of bond or other security the importer is required to post for such merchandise entered on or after the date of the final determination to ensure the protection of revenue and compliance with the law. (B) Additional authority If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is covered merchandise, the administering authority may instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require the importer of the merchandise to post a cash deposit or bond on such merchandise entered on or after the date of the final determination in an amount the administering authority determines in the final determination to be owed with respect to the merchandise. (8) Effect of negative final determination If the administering authority makes a final determination under paragraph (2)(B) that merchandise is not covered merchandise, the administering authority shall terminate the suspension of liquidation and refund any cash deposit imposed pursuant to paragraph (6) with respect to the merchandise. (9) Notification Not later than 5 business days after making a determination under paragraph (2) with respect to covered merchandise, the administering authority may provide to importers, in such manner as the administering authority determines appropriate, information discovered in the investigation that the administering authority determines will help educate importers with respect to importing merchandise into the customs territory of the United States in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. (10) Special rule for cases in which the producer or exporter is unknown If the administering authority is unable to determine the actual producer or exporter of the merchandise with respect to which the administering authority initiated an investigation under paragraph (1), the administering authority shall, in requiring the posting of a cash deposit under paragraph (6) or assessing duties pursuant to paragraph (7)(A), impose the cash deposit or duties (as the case may be) in the highest amount applicable to any producer or exporter of the merchandise pursuant to any order or finding described in subsection (a)(2)(A)(i), or any administrative review conducted under section 751. (11) Publication of determinations The administering authority shall publish each notice of initiation of investigation made under paragraph (1)(A), each preliminary determination made under paragraph (2)(A) and each final determination made under paragraph (2)(B) in the Federal Register. (12) Referrals to other agencies (A) After preliminary determination Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the administering authority makes an affirmative preliminary determination under paragraph (2)(A), the administering authority shall— (i) transmit the administrative record to the Commissioner for such additional action as the Commissioner determines appropriate, including proceedings under section 592; and (ii) at the request of the head of another agency, transmit the administrative record to the head of that agency. (B) After final determination Notwithstanding section 777 and subject to subparagraph (C), when the administering authority makes an affirmative final determination under paragraph (2)(B), the administering authority shall— (i) transmit the complete administrative record to the Commissioner; and (ii) at the request of the head of another agency, transmit the complete administrative record to the head of that agency. (c) Prevention by U.S. customs and border protection In the event the Commissioner receives information that a person is entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion, but is not able to determine whether the merchandise is in fact covered merchandise, the Commissioner shall— (A) refer the matter to the administering authority for additional proceedings under subsection (b); and (B) transmit to the administering authority— (i) copies of the entry documents and information required by section 484(a)(1) relating to the merchandise; and (ii) any additional records or information that the Commissioner considers appropriate. (d) Cooperation between U.S. customs and border protection and the Department of Commerce (1) Notification of investigations Upon receiving a petition and upon initiating an investigation under subsection (b), the administering authority shall notify the Commissioner. (2) Procedures for cooperation Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act , the Commissioner and the administering authority shall establish procedures to ensure maximum cooperation and communication between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the administering authority in order to quickly, efficiently, and accurately investigate allegations of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. (e) Annual report on preventing evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (1) In general Not later than February 28 of each year beginning in 2016, the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce shall submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report on the efforts being taken under subsection (b) to prevent evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. (2) Contents Each report required by paragraph (1) shall include, for the year preceding the submission of the report— (A) (i) the number of investigations initiated pursuant to subsection (b); and (ii) a description of such investigations, including— (I) the results of such investigations; and (II) the amount of antidumping and countervailing duties collected as a result of such investigations; and (B) the number of referrals made by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (c). . (b) Technical amendment The table of contents for title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 781 the following: Sec. 781A. Procedures for prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders. . (c) Judicial review Section 516A(a)(2) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1516a(a)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by striking or (viii) and inserting (viii), or (ix) ; and (2) in subparagraph (B), by inserting at the end the following: (ix) A determination by the administering authority under section 781A. . (d) Regulations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act— (1) the Secretary of Commerce shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out subsection (b) of section 781A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (as added by subsection (a) of this section); and (2) the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out subsection (c) of such section 781A. (e) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall— (1) take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) apply with respect to merchandise entered on or after such date of enactment. 422. Government Accountability Office report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report assessing the effectiveness of— (1) the provisions of, and amendments made by, this Act; and (2) the actions taken and procedures developed by the Secretary of Commerce and the Commissioner pursuant to such provisions and amendments to prevent evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1671 et seq. ). C Other Matters 431. Allocation and training of personnel The Commissioner shall, to the maximum extent possible, ensure that U.S. Customs and Border Protection— (1) employs sufficient personnel who have expertise in, and responsibility for, preventing and investigating the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion; (2) on the basis of risk assessment metrics, assigns sufficient personnel with primary responsibility for preventing the entry of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion to the ports of entry in the United States at which the Commissioner determines potential evasion presents the most substantial threats to the revenue of the United States; and (3) provides adequate training to relevant personnel to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention and identification of entries of covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. 432. Annual report on prevention of evasion of antidumping and countervailing duty orders (a) In general Not later than February 28 of each year, beginning in 2014, the Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the efforts being taken to prevent and investigate evasion. (b) Contents Each report required under subsection (a) shall include— (1) for the calendar year preceding the submission of the report— (A) a summary of the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion; (B) the number of allegations of evasion received and the number of allegations of evasion resulting in any administrative, civil, or criminal actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or any other agency; (C) a summary of the completed administrative inquiries of evasion, including the number and nature of the inquiries initiated, conducted, or completed, as well as their resolution; (D) with respect to inquiries that lead to lead to issuance of a penalty notice, the penalty amounts; (E) the amounts of antidumping and countervailing duties collected as a result of any actions by U.S. Customs and Border Protection or any other agency; (F) a description of the allocation of personnel and other resources of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to prevent, identify and investigate evasion, including any assessments conducted regarding the allocation of such personnel and resources; and (G) a description of training conducted to increase expertise and effectiveness in the prevention, identification and investigation of evasion; and (2) a description of U.S. Customs and Border Protection processes and procedures to prevent and identify evasion, including— (A) the specific guidelines, policies, and practices used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that allegations of evasion are promptly evaluated and acted upon in a timely manner; (B) an evaluation of the efficacy of such existing guidelines, policies, and practices; (C) identification of any changes since the last report that have materially improved or reduced the effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion; (D) a description of the development and implementation of policies for the application of single entry and continuous bonds for entries of covered merchandise to sufficiently protect the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties commensurate with the level of risk on noncollection; (E) the processes and procedures for increased cooperation and information sharing with the Department of Commerce, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and any other relevant Federal agencies to prevent and identify evasion; and (F) identification of any recommended policy changes of other Federal agencies or legislative changes to improve the effectiveness of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to prevent and identify evasion. 433. Addressing circumvention by new shippers Section 751(a)(2)(B) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1675(a)(2)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking clause (iii); (2) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (iii); and (3) inserting after clause (iii), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of this section, the following: (iv) Determinations based on bonafide sales Any weighted average dumping margin or individual countervailing duty rate determined for an exporter or producer in a review conducted under clause (i) shall be based solely on the bona fide United States sales of an exporter or producer, as the case may be, made during the period covered by the review. In determining whether the United States sales of an exporter or producer made during the period covered by the review were bona fide, the administering authority shall consider, depending on the circumstances surrounding such sales— (I) the prices of such sales; (II) whether such sales were made in commercial quantities; (III) the timing of such sales; (IV) the expenses arising from such sales; (V) whether the subject merchandise involved in such sales were resold in the United States at a profit; (VI) whether such sales were made on an arms-length basis; and (VII) any other factor the administering authority determines to be relevant as to whether such sales are, or are not, likely to be typical of those the exporter or producer will make after completion of the review. . V Additional enforcement provisions 501. Trade enforcement priorities (a) In general Section 310 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2420 ) is amended to read as follows: 310. Trade enforcement priorities (a) Trade enforcement priorities, consultations, and report (1) Trade enforcement priorities consultations Not later than May 31 of each calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the United States Trade Representative (in this section referred to as the Trade Representative ) shall consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the prioritization of acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or otherwise create or maintain barriers to United States goods, services, or investment. (2) Identification of trade enforcement priorities In identifying acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments as trade enforcement priorities under this subsection, the United States Trade Representative shall focus on those acts, policies, and practices the elimination of which is likely to have the most significant potential to increase United States economic growth, and take into account all relevant factors, including— (A) the economic significance of any potential inconsistency between an obligation assumed by a foreign government pursuant to a trade agreement to which both the foreign government and the United States are parties and the acts, policies, or practices of that government; (B) the impact of the acts, policies, or practices of a foreign government on maintaining and creating United States jobs and productive capacity; (C) the major barriers and trade distorting practices described in the most recent National Trade Estimate required under section 181(b); (D) the major barriers and trade distorting practices described in other relevant reports addressing international trade and investment barriers prepared by a Federal agency or congressional commission during the 12 months preceding the date of the most recent report under paragraph (3); (E) a foreign government’s compliance with its obligations under any trade agreements to which both the foreign government and the United States are parties; (F) the implications of a foreign government’s procurement plans and policies; and (G) the international competitive position and export potential of United States products and services. (3) Report on trade enforcement priorities and actions taken to address (A) In general Not later than July 31 of each calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, the Trade Representative shall report to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives on acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments identified as trade enforcement priorities based on the consultations under paragraph (1) and the criteria set forth in paragraph (2). (B) Report in subsequent years The Trade Representative shall include, when reporting under subparagraph (A) in any calendar year after the calendar year that begins after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, a description of actions taken to address any acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments identified as trade enforcement priorities under this subsection in the calendar year preceding that report and, as relevant, any year before that calendar year. (b) Semi-annual enforcement consultations (1) In general At the same time as the reporting under subsection (a)(3), and not later than January 31 of each following year, the Trade Representative shall consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives with respect to the identification, prioritization, investigation, and resolution of acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments of concern with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or that otherwise create or maintain trade barriers. (2) Acts, policies, or practices of concern The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address acts, policies, or practices of foreign governments that raise concerns with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, or otherwise create or maintain trade barriers, including— (A) engagement with relevant trading partners; (B) strategies for addressing such concerns; (C) availability and deployment of resources to be used in the investigation or resolution of such concerns; (D) the merits of any potential dispute resolution proceeding under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party relating to such concerns; and (E) any other aspects of such concerns. (3) Active investigations The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address acts, policies, or practices that the Trade Representative is actively investigating with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, including— (A) strategies for addressing concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; (B) any relevant timeline with respect to investigation of such acts, policies, or practices; (C) the merits of any potential dispute resolution proceeding under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to such acts, policies, or practices; (D) barriers to the advancement of the investigation of such acts, policies, or practices; and (E) any other matters relating to the investigation of such acts, policies, or practices. (4) Ongoing enforcement actions The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address all ongoing enforcement actions taken by or against the United States with respect to obligations under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party, including— (A) any relevant timeline with respect to such actions; (B) the merits of such actions; (C) any prospective implementation actions; (D) potential implications for any law or regulation of the United States; (E) potential implications for United States stakeholders, domestic competitors, and exporters; and (F) other issues relating to such actions. (5) Enforcement resources The semi-annual enforcement consultations required by paragraph (1) shall address the availability and deployment of enforcement resources, resource constraints on monitoring and enforcement activities, and strategies to address those constraints, including the use of available resources of other Federal agencies to enhance monitoring and enforcement capabilities. (c) Investigation and resolution In the case of any acts, policies, or practices of a foreign government identified as a trade enforcement priority under subsection (a), the Trade Representative shall, not later than the date of the first semi-annual enforcement consultations held under subsection (b) after the identification of the priority, take appropriate action to address that priority, including— (1) engagement with the foreign government to resolve concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; (2) initiation of an investigation under section 302(b)(1) with respect to such acts, policies, or practices; (3) initiation of negotiations for a bilateral agreement that provides for resolution of concerns raised by such acts, policies, or practices; or (4) initiation of dispute settlement proceedings under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to such acts, policies, or practices. (d) Enforcement notifications and consultation (1) Initiation of enforcement action The Trade Representative shall notify and consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives in advance of initiation of any formal trade dispute by or against the United States taken in regard to an obligation under the WTO Agreements or any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party. With respect to a formal trade dispute against the United States, if advance notification and consultation are not possible, the Trade Representative shall notify and consult at the earliest practicable opportunity after initiation of the dispute. (2) Circulation of reports The Trade Representative shall notify and consult with the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives in advance of the announced or anticipated circulation of any report of a dispute settlement panel or the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization or of a dispute settlement panel under any other trade agreement to which the United States is a party with respect to a formal trade dispute by or against the United States. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) WTO The term WTO means the World Trade Organization. (2) WTO agreement The term WTO Agreement has the meaning given that term in section 2(9) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3501(9) ). (3) WTO agreements The term WTO Agreements means the WTO Agreement and agreements annexed to that Agreement. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Trade Act of 1974 is amended by striking the item relating to section 310 and inserting the following: . Sec. 310. Trade enforcement priorities. . 502. Exercise of WTO authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under trade agreements (a) In general Section 306 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2416 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following: (c) Exercise of WTO authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations If— (1) action has terminated pursuant to section 307(c), (2) the petitioner or any representative of the domestic industry that would benefit from reinstatement of action has submitted to the Trade Representative a written request for reinstatement of action, and (3) the Trade Representatives has completed the requirements of subsection (d) and section 307(c)(3), the Trade Representative may at any time determine to take action under section 301(c) to exercise an authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations under Article 22 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (referred to in section 101(d)(16) of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act ( 19 U.S.C. 3511(d)(16) )). . (b) Conforming amendments Chapter 1 of title III of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 et seq. ) is amended— (1) in section 301(c)(1) ( 19 U.S.C. 2411(c)(1) ), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or section 306(c) after subsection (a) or (b) ; (2) in section 306(b) ( 19 U.S.C. 2416(b) ), in the subsection heading, by striking Further Action and inserting Action on the Basis of Monitoring ; (3) in section 306(d) ( 19 U.S.C. 2416(d) ), as redesignated by subsection (a)(1), by inserting or (c) after subsection (b) ; and (4) in section 307(c)(3) ( 19 U.S.C. 2417(c)(3) ), by inserting or if a request is submitted to the Trade Representative under section 306(c)(2) to reinstate action, after under section 301, . 503. Trade monitoring (a) In general Chapter 1 of title II of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2251 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 205. Trade monitoring (a) Monitoring tool for imports (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the United States International Trade Commission shall make available on a website of the Commission an import monitoring tool to allow the public access to data on the volume and value of goods imported to the United States for the purpose of assessing whether such data has changed with respect to such goods over a period of time. (2) Data described For purposes of the monitoring tool under paragraph (1), the Commission shall use data compiled by the Department of Commerce and such other government data as the Commission considers appropriate. (3) Periods of time The Commission shall ensure that data accessed through the monitoring tool under paragraph (1) includes data for the most recent quarter for which such data are available and previous quarters as the Commission considers practicable. (b) Monitoring reports (1) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this section, and not less frequently than quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Commerce shall publish on a website of the Department of Commerce, and notify the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives of the availability of, a monitoring report on changes in the volume and value of trade with respect to imports and exports of goods categorized based on the 6-digit subheading number of the goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States during the most recent quarter for which such data are available and previous quarters as the Secretary considers practicable. (2) Requests for Comment Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall solicit through the Federal Register public comment on the monitoring reports described in paragraph (1). (c) Sunset The requirements under this section terminate on the date that is seven years after the date of the enactment of this section. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2101 et seq. ) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 204 the following: Sec. 205. Trade monitoring. . VI Miscellaneous provisions 601. De minimis value (a) De minimis value Section 321(a)(2)(C) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2)(C) ) is amended by striking $200 and inserting $800 . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the 15th day after the date of the enactment of this Act. 602. Consultation on trade and customs revenue functions Section 401(c) of the Safety and Accountability for Every Port Act ( 6 U.S.C. 115(c) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking on Department policies and actions that have and inserting not later than 30 days after proposing, and not later than 30 days before finalizing, any Department policies, initiatives, or actions that will have ; and (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking not later than 30 days prior to the finalization of and inserting not later than 60 days before proposing, and not later than 60 days before finalizing, . 603. Penalties for customs brokers (a) In general Section 641(d)(1) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641(d)(1) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking the period and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (G) has been convicted of committing or conspiring to commit an act of terrorism described in section 2332b of title 18, United States Code. . (b) Technical amendments Section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1641 ) is amended— (1) by striking the Customs Service each place it appears and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (2) in subsection (d)(2)(B), by striking The Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (3) in subsection (g)(2)(B), by striking Secretary’s notice and inserting notice under subparagraph (A) . 604. Amendments to chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (a) Articles exported and returned, advanced or improved abroad (1) In general U.S. Note 3 to subchapter II of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by adding at the end the following: (f) (1) For purposes of subheadings 9802.00.40 and 9802.00.50, fungible articles exported from the United States for the purposes described in such subheadings— (A) may be commingled; and (B) the origin, value, and classification of such articles may be accounted for using an inventory management method. (2) If a person chooses to use an inventory management method under this paragraph with respect to fungible articles, the person shall use the same inventory management method for any other articles with respect to which the person claims fungibility under this paragraph. (3) For the purposes of this paragraph— (A) the term fungible articles means merchandise or articles that, for commercial purposes, are identical or interchangeable in all situations; and (B) the term inventory management method means any method for managing inventory that is based on generally accepted accounting principles. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by this subsection applies to articles classifiable under subheading 9802.00.40 or 9802.00.50 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States that are entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Modification of provisions relating to returned property (1) In general The article description for heading 9801.00.10 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting after exported the following: , or any other products when returned within 3 years after having been exported . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) applies to articles entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Duty-free treatment for certain United States Government property returned to the United States (1) In general Subchapter I of chapter 98 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended by inserting in numerical sequence the following new heading: 9801.00.11 United States Government property, returned to the United States without having been advanced in value or improved in condition by any means while abroad, entered by the United States Government or a contractor to the United States Government, and certified by the importer as United States Government property Free . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) applies to goods entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 605. Exemption from duty of residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States (a) In general General Note 3(e) of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is amended— (1) in subparagraph (v), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (vi), by adding and at the end; (3) by inserting after subparagraph (vi) (as so amended) the following new subparagraph: (vii) residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic previously exported from the United States, ; and (4) by adding at the end of the flush text following subparagraph (vii) (as so added) the following: For purposes of subparagraph (vii) of this paragraph: The term residue means material of bulk cargo that remains in an instrument of international traffic after the bulk cargo is removed, with a quantity, by weight or volume, not exceeding 7 percent of the bulk cargo, and with no or de minimis value. The term bulk cargo means cargo that is unpackaged and is in either solid, liquid, or gaseous form. The term instruments of international traffic means containers or holders, capable of and suitable for repeated use, such as lift vans, cargo vans, shipping tanks, skids, pallets, caul boards, and cores for textile fabrics, arriving (whether loaded or empty) in use or to be used in the shipment of merchandise in international traffic, and any additional articles or classes of articles that the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection designates as instruments of international traffic. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to residue of bulk cargo contained in instruments of international traffic that are imported into the customs territory of the United States on or after such date of enactment and that previously have been exported from the United States. 606. Drawback and refunds (a) Articles made from imported merchandise Section 313(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) ) is amended by striking the full amount of the duties paid upon the merchandise so used shall be refunded as drawback, less 1 per centum of such duties, except that such and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) shall be refunded as drawback, except that . (b) Substitution for drawback purposes Section 313(b) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) ) is amended— (1) by striking If imported and inserting the following: (1) In general If imported ; (2) by striking and any other merchandise (whether imported or domestic) of the same kind and quality are and inserting or merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise is ; (3) by striking three years and inserting 5 years ; (4) by striking the receipt of such imported merchandise by the manufacturer or producer of such articles and inserting the date of importation of such imported merchandise ; (5) by inserting or articles classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such articles, after any such articles, ; (6) by striking an amount of drawback equal to and all that follows through the end period and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l), but only if those articles have not been used prior to such exportation or destruction. ; and (7) by adding at the end the following: (2) Requirements relating to transfer of merchandise (A) Manufacturers and producers Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to an article manufactured or produced using imported merchandise or other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise only if the manufacturer or producer of the article received such imported merchandise or such other merchandise, directly or indirectly, from the importer. (B) Exporters and destroyers Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to a manufactured or produced article that is exported or destroyed only if the exporter or destroyer received that article or an article classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as that article, directly or indirectly, from the manufacturer or producer. (C) Evidence of transfer Transfers of merchandise under subparagraph (A) and transfers of articles under subparagraph (B) may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer or manufacture shall be required. (3) Submission of bill of materials or formula (A) In general Drawback shall be allowed under paragraph (1) with respect to an article manufactured or produced using imported merchandise or other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise only if the person making the drawback claim submits with the claim a bill of materials or formula identifying the merchandise and article by the 8-digit HTS subheading number and the quantity of the merchandise. (B) Bill of materials and formula defined In this paragraph, the terms bill of materials and formula mean records kept in the normal course of business that identify each component incorporated into a manufactured or produced article or that identify the quantity of each element, material, chemical, mixture, or other substance incorporated into a manufactured article. (4) Special rule for sought chemical elements (A) In general For purposes of paragraph (1), a sought chemical element may be— (i) considered imported merchandise, or merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, used in the manufacture or production of an article as described in paragraph (1); and (ii) substituted for source material containing that sought chemical element, without regard to whether the sought chemical element and the source material are classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number, and apportioned quantitatively, as appropriate. (B) Sought chemical element defined In this paragraph, the term sought chemical element means an element listed in the Periodic Table of Elements that is imported into the United States or a chemical compound consisting of those elements, either separately in elemental form or contained in source material. . (c) Merchandise not conforming to sample or specifications Section 313(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(c) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking under a certificate of delivery each place it appears; (B) in subparagraph (D)— (i) by striking 3 and inserting 5 ; and (ii) by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (C) in the flush text at the end, by striking the full amount of the duties paid upon such merchandise, less 1 percent, and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: (3) Evidence of transfers Transfers of merchandise under paragraph (1) may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer shall be required. . (d) Proof of exportation Section 313(i) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(i) ) is amended to read as follows: (i) Proof of exportation A person claiming drawback under this section based on the exportation of an article shall provide proof of the exportation of the article. Such proof of exportation— (1) shall establish fully the date and fact of exportation and the identity of the exporter; and (2) may be established through the use of records kept in the normal course of business or through an electronic export system of the United States Government, as determined by the Commissioner responsible for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. . (e) Unused merchandise drawback Section 313(j) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(j) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i)— (i) by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (ii) by inserting and before the drawback claim is filed after the date of importation ; and (B) in the flush text at the end, by striking 99 percent of the amount of each duty, tax, or fee so paid and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking paragraph (4) and inserting paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) ; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking commercially interchangeable with and inserting classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as ; (C) in subparagraph (B)— (i) by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (ii) by inserting and before the drawback claim is filed after the imported merchandise ; and (D) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: (II) received the imported merchandise, other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, or any combination of such imported merchandise and such other merchandise, directly or indirectly from the person who imported and paid any duties, taxes, and fees imposed under Federal law upon importation or entry and due on the imported merchandise (and any such transferred merchandise, regardless of its origin, will be treated as the imported merchandise and any retained merchandise will be treated as domestic merchandise); ; (E) in the flush text at the end— (i) by striking the amount of each such duty, tax, and fee and all that follows through 99 percent of that duty, tax, or fee and inserting an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) shall be refunded as drawback ; and (ii) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), drawback shall be allowed under this paragraph with respect to wine if the imported wine and the exported wine are of the same color and the price variation between the imported wine and the exported wine does not exceed 50 percent. Transfers of merchandise may be evidenced by business records kept in the normal course of business and no additional certificates of transfer shall be required. ; and (3) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking the commercially interchangeable merchandise and inserting merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (5) (A) For purposes of paragraph (2) and except as provided in subparagraph (B), merchandise may not be substituted for imported merchandise for drawback purposes based on the 8-digit HTS subheading number if the article description for the 8-digit HTS subheading number under which the imported merchandise is classified begins with the term other . (B) In cases described in subparagraph (A), merchandise may be substituted for imported merchandise for drawback purposes if— (i) the other merchandise and such imported merchandise are classifiable under the same 10-digit HTS statistical reporting number; and (ii) the article description for that 10-digit HTS statistical reporting number does not begin with the term other . (6) (A) For purposes of paragraph (2), a drawback claimant may use the first 8 digits of the 10-digit Schedule B number for merchandise or an article to determine if the merchandise or article is classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as the imported merchandise, without regard to whether the Schedule B number corresponds to more than one 8-digit HTS subheading number. (B) In this paragraph, the term Schedule B means the Department of Commerce Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States. . (f) Liability for drawback claims Section 313(k) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(k) ) is amended to read as follows: (k) Liability for drawback claims (1) In general Any person making a claim for drawback under this section shall be liable for the full amount of the drawback claimed. (2) Liability of importers An importer shall be liable for any drawback claim made by another person with respect to merchandise imported by the importer in an amount equal to the lesser of— (A) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that the person claimed with respect to the imported merchandise; or (B) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that the importer authorized the other person to claim with respect to the imported merchandise. (3) Joint and several liability Persons described in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be jointly and severally liable for the amount described in paragraph (2). . (g) Regulations Section 313(l) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(l) ) is amended to read as follows: (l) Regulations (1) In general Allowance of the privileges provided for in this section shall be subject to compliance with such rules and regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe. (2) Calculation of drawback (A) In general Not later than the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (or, if later, the effective date provided for in section 406(q)(2)(B) of that Act), the Secretary shall prescribe regulations for determining the calculation of amounts refunded as drawback under this section. (B) Requirements The regulations required by subparagraph (A) for determining the calculation of amounts refunded as drawback under this section shall provide for a refund of equal to 99 percent of the duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise, except that where there is substitution of the merchandise or article, then— (i) in the case of an article that is exported, the amount of the refund shall be equal to 99 percent of the lesser of— (I) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise; or (II) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that would apply to the exported article if the exported article were imported; and (ii) in the case of an article that is destroyed, the amount of the refund shall be an amount that is— (I) equal to 99 percent of the lesser of— (aa) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees paid with respect to the imported merchandise; and (bb) the amount of duties, taxes, and fees that would apply to the destroyed article if the destroyed article were imported; and (II) reduced by the value of materials recovered during destruction as provided in subsection (x). (3) Status reports on regulations Not later than the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, and annually thereafter until the regulations required by paragraph (2) are final, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of those regulations. . (h) Substitution of finished petroleum derivatives Section 313(p) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(p) ) is amended— (1) by striking Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States each place it appears and inserting HTS ; and (2) in paragraph (3)(A)— (A) in clause (ii)(III), by striking , as so certified in a certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery ; and (B) in the flush text at the end— (i) by striking , so designated on the certificate of delivery or certificate of manufacture and delivery ; and (ii) by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: The party transferring the merchandise shall maintain records kept in the normal course of business to demonstrate the transfer. . (i) Packaging material Section 313(q) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(q) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed under Federal law on such imported material and inserting in an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking of 99 percent of any duty, tax, or fee imposed under Federal law on the imported or substituted merchandise used to manufacture or produce such material and inserting in an amount calculated pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (l) ; and (3) in paragraph (3), by striking they contain and inserting it contains . (j) Filing of drawback claims Section 313(r) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(r) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking the first sentence and inserting the following: A drawback entry shall be filed or applied for, as applicable, not later than 5 years after the date on which merchandise on which drawback is claimed was imported. ; (B) in the second sentence, by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (C) in the third sentence, by striking the Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking The Customs Service and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; (ii) in clauses (i) and (ii), by striking the Customs Service each place it appears and inserting U.S. Customs and Border Protection ; and (iii) in clause (ii)(I), by striking 3-year and inserting 5-year ; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the periods of time for retaining records set forth in subsection (t) of this section and and inserting the period of time for retaining records set forth in ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) All drawback claims filed on and after the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (or, if later, the effective date provided for in section 406(q)(2)(B) of that Act) shall be filed electronically. . (k) Designation of merchandise by successor Section 313(s) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(s) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection (j), imported merchandise, other merchandise classifiable under the same 8-digit HTS subheading number as such imported merchandise, or any combination of such imported merchandise and such other merchandise, that the predecessor received, before the date of succession, from the person who imported and paid any duties, taxes, and fees due on the imported merchandise; ; and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking certifies that and all that follows and inserting certifies that the transferred merchandise was not and will not be claimed by the predecessor. . (l) Drawback certificates Section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ) is amended by striking subsection (t). (m) Drawback for recovered materials Section 313(x) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313(x) ) is amended by striking and (c) and inserting (c), and (j) . (n) Definitions Section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1313 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (z) Definitions In this section: (1) Directly The term directly means a transfer of merchandise or an article from one person to another person without any intermediate transfer. (2) HTS The term HTS means the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. (3) Indirectly The term indirectly means a transfer of merchandise or an article from one person to another person with one or more intermediate transfers. . (o) Recordkeeping Section 508(c)(3) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1508(c)(3) ) is amended— (1) by striking 3rd and inserting 5th ; and (2) by striking payment and inserting liquidation . (p) Government Accountability Office report (1) In general Not later than one year after the issuance of the regulations required by subsection (l)(2) of section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as added by subsection (g), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on the modernization of drawback and refunds under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section. (2) Contents The report required by paragraph (1) include the following: (A) An assessment of the modernization of drawback and refunds under section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section. (B) A description of drawback claims that were permissible before the effective date provided for in subsection (q) that are not permissible after that effective date and an identification of industries most affected. (C) A description of drawback claims that were not permissible before the effective date provided for in subsection (q) that are permissible after that effective date and an identification of industries most affected. (q) Effective date (1) In general The amendments made by this section shall— (A) take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) apply to drawback claims filed on or after the date that is 2 years after such date of enactment. (2) Reporting of operability of Automated Commercial Environment computer system Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than 2 years after such date of enactment, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to Congress a report on— (A) the date on which the Automated Commercial Environment will be ready to process drawback claims; and (B) the date on which the Automated Export System will be ready to accept proof of exportation under subsection (i) of section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by subsection (d). (3) Transition rule During the one-year period beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act (or, if later, the effective date provided for in paragraph (2)(B)), a person may elect to file a claim for drawback under— (A) section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by this section; or (B) section 313 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 607. Office of the United States Trade Representative (a) Annual report on trade agreements program and national trade policy agenda Section 163(a) of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2213(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (C) the operation of all United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs during the preceding year and for the year in which the report is submitted. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (4) The report shall include, with respect to the matters referred to in paragraph (1)(C), information regarding— (A) the objectives and priorities of all United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the year, and the reasons therefor; (B) the actions proposed, or anticipated, to be undertaken during the year to achieve such objectives and priorities, including actions authorized under the trade laws and negotiations with foreign countries; (C) the role of each Federal agency participating in the interagency program in achieving such objectives and priorities and activities of each agency with respect to their participation in the program; (D) the United States Trade Representative’s coordination of each participating Federal agency to more effectively achieve such objectives and priorities; (E) any proposed legislation necessary or appropriate to achieve any of such objectives or priorities; and (F) the progress that was made during the preceding year in achieving such objectives and priorities and coordination activities included in the statement provided for such year under this paragraph. . (b) Resource management and staffing plans (1) Annual plan (A) In general The United States Trade Representative shall on an annual basis develop a plan— (i) to match available resources of the Office of the United States Trade Representative to projected workload and provide a detailed analysis of how the funds allocated from the prior fiscal year to date have been spent; (ii) to identify existing staff of the Office and new staff that will be necessary to support the trade negotiation and enforcement functions and powers of the Office (including those of the Trade Policy Staff Committee) as described in section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2171 ) and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 ); (iii) to identify existing staff of the Office and staff of other Federal agencies who will be required to be detailed to support United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs, including any associated expenses; and (iv) to provide a detailed analysis of the budgetary requirements of United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the next fiscal year and provide a detailed analysis of how the funds allocated from the prior fiscal year to date have been spent. (B) Report The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A). The report required under this subparagraph shall be submitted in conjunction with the annual budget of the United States Government required to be submitted to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code. (2) Quadrennial plan (A) In general Pursuant to the goals and objectives of the strategic plan of the Office of the United States Trade Representative as required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code, the United States Trade Representative shall every 4 years develop a plan— (i) to analyze internal quality controls and record management of the Office; (ii) to identify existing staff of the Office and new staff that will be necessary to support the trade negotiation and enforcement functions and powers of the Office (including those of the Trade Policy Staff Committee) as described in section 141 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2171 ) and section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 ( 19 U.S.C. 2411 ); (iii) to identify existing staff of the Office and staff in other Federal agencies who will be required to be detailed to support United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs, including any associated expenses; (iv) to provide an outline of budget justifications, including salaries and expenses as well as non-personnel administrative expenses, for the fiscal years required under the strategic plan; and (v) to provide an outline of budget justifications, including salaries and expenses as well as non-personnel administrative expenses, for United States Trade Representative-led interagency programs for the fiscal years required under the strategic plan. (B) Report (i) In general The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A). Except as provided in clause (ii), the report required under this clause shall be submitted in conjunction with the strategic plan of the Office as required under section 306 of title 5, United States Code. (ii) Exception The United States Trade Representative shall submit to the congressional committees specified in clause (i) an initial report that contains the plan required under subparagraph (A) not later than February 1, 2016. 608. United States-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement (a) Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Israel is America’s dependable, democratic ally in the Middle East—an area of paramount strategic importance to the United States. (2) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement formed the modern foundation of the bilateral commercial relationship between the two countries and was the first such agreement signed by the United States with a foreign country. (3) The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement has been instrumental in expanding commerce and the strategic relationship between the United States and Israel. (4) More than $45 billion in goods and services is traded annually between the two countries in addition to roughly $10 billion in United States foreign direct investment in Israel. (5) The United States continues to look for and find new opportunities to enhance cooperation with Israel, including through the enactment of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act of 2012 ( Public Law 112–150 ) and the United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–296 ). (6) It has been the policy of the United States Government to combat all elements of the Arab League Boycott of Israel by— (A) public statements of Administration officials; (B) enactment of relevant sections of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act), including sections to ensure foreign persons comply with applicable reporting requirements relating to the boycott; (C) enactment of the 1976 Tax Reform Act ( Public Law 94–455 ) that denies certain tax benefits to entities abiding by the boycott; (D) ensuring through free trade agreements with Bahrain and Oman that such countries no longer participate in the boycott; and (E) ensuring as a condition of membership in the World Trade Organization that Saudi Arabia no longer enforces the secondary or tertiary elements of the boycott. (b) Statements of policy Congress— (1) supports the strengthening of United States-Israel economic cooperation and recognizes the tremendous strategic, economic, and technological value of cooperation with Israel; (2) recognizes the benefit of cooperation with Israel to United States companies, including by improving American competitiveness in global markets; (3) recognizes the importance of trade and commercial relations to the pursuit and sustainability of peace, and supports efforts to bring together the United States, Israel, the Palestinian territories, and others in enhanced commerce; (4) opposes politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment or sanctions; (5) notes that the boycott, divestment, and sanctioning of Israel by governments, governmental bodies, quasi-governmental bodies, international organizations, and other such entities is contrary to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) principle of non-discrimination; (6) encourages the inclusion of politically motivated actions that penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel such as boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as a topic of discussion at the U.S.-Israel Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) and other areas to support the strengthening of the United States-Israel commercial relationship and combat any commercial discrimination against Israel; (7) supports efforts to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories; and (8) supports American States examining a company’s promotion or compliance with unsanctioned boycotts, divestment from, or sanctions against Israel as part of its consideration in awarding grants and contracts and supports the divestment of State assets from companies that support or promote actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel. (c) Principal trade negotiating objectives of the United States (1) Commercial partnerships Among the principal trade negotiating objectives of the United States for proposed trade agreements with foreign countries regarding commercial partnerships are the following: (A) To discourage actions by potential trading partners that directly or indirectly prejudice or otherwise discourage commercial activity solely between the United States and Israel. (B) To discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel and to seek the elimination of politically motivated non-tariff barriers on Israeli goods, services, or other commerce imposed on the State of Israel. (C) To seek the elimination of state-sponsored unsanctioned foreign boycotts against Israel or compliance with the Arab League Boycott of Israel by prospective trading partners. (2) Effective date This subsection takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and applies with respect to negotiations commenced before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Report on politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President shall submit to Congress a report on politically motivated acts of boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel. (2) Matters To Be Included The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the following: (A) A description of the establishment of barriers to trade, including non-tariff barriers, investment, or commerce by foreign countries or international organizations against United States persons operating or doing business in Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (B) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to encourage foreign countries and international organizations to cease creating such barriers and to dismantle measures already in place and an assessment of the effectiveness of such steps. (C) A description of specific steps being taken by the United States to prevent investigations or prosecutions by governments or international organizations of United States persons on the sole basis of such persons doing business with Israel, with Israeli entities, or in Israeli-controlled territories. (D) Decisions by foreign persons, including corporate entities and state-affiliated financial institutions, that limit or prohibit economic relations with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli controlled territories. (e) Israel trade and commerce boycott reporting Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( 15 U.S.C. 78m ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (s) Israel trade and commerce boycott reporting (1) In general Each foreign issuer required to file an annual or quarterly report under subsection (a) shall disclose in that report— (A) whether the issuer has discriminated against doing business with Israel in the last calendar year and in such cases an issuer shall provide a description of the discrimination. (B) whether the issuer has been advised by a foreign government or a non-member state of the United Nations to discriminate against doing business with Israel, entities owned or controlled by the government of Israel, or entities operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory; and (C) any instances where the issuer has learned that a person, foreign government, or a non-member state of the United Nations is boycotting the issuer, divesting themselves of an ownership interest in the issuer, or placing sanctions on the issuer because of the issuer’s relationship with Israel, entities owned or controlled by the government of Israel, or entities operating in Israel or Israeli-controlled territory. (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) Foreign issuer The term foreign issuer means an issuer that is not incorporated in the United States. (B) Non-member states of the United Nations The term non-member states of the United Nations has the meaning given such term by the United Nations. . (f) Foreign judgments against United States persons No court in the United States may recognize or enforce any judgment which is entered by a foreign court against a United States person carrying out business operations in Israel or in any territory controlled by Israel and on which is based a determination by the foreign court that the location in Israel, or in any territory controlled by Israel, of the facilities at which the business operations are carried out is sufficient to constitute a violation of law. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel The term boycott, divestment from, and sanctions against Israel means actions by states, non-member states of the United Nations, international organizations, or affiliated agencies of international organizations that are politically motivated and are intended to penalize or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli-controlled territories. (2) Foreign person The term foreign person means— (A) any natural person who is not lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) ) or who is not a protected individual (as defined in section 274B(a)(3) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) ); and (B) any foreign corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society or any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized to do business in the United States, as well as any international organization, foreign government and any agency or subdivision of foreign government, including a diplomatic mission. (3) Person (A) In general The term person means— (i) a natural person; (ii) a corporation, business association, partnership, society, trust, financial institution, insurer, underwriter, guarantor, and any other business organization, any other nongovernmental entity, organization, or group, and any governmental entity operating as a business enterprise; and (iii) any successor to any entity described in clause (ii). (B) Application to governmental entities The term person does not include a government or governmental entity that is not operating as a business enterprise. (4) United states person The term United States person means— (A) a natural person who is a national of the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(22) )); and (B) a corporation or other legal entity which is organized under the laws of the United States, any State or territory thereof, or the District of Columbia, if natural persons described in subparagraph (A) own, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the outstanding capital stock or other beneficial interest in such legal entity. 609. Elimination of consumptive demand exception to prohibition on importation of goods made with convict labor, forced labor, or indentured labor; report (a) Elimination of consumptive demand exception (1) In general Section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1307 ) is amended by striking The provisions of this section and all that follows through of the United States. . (2) Effective date The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on the date that is 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Report required Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report on compliance with section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1307 ) that includes the following: (1) The number of instances in which merchandise was denied entry pursuant to that section during the 1-year period preceding the submission of the report. (2) A description of the merchandise denied entry pursuant to that section. (3) Such other information as the Commissioner considers appropriate with respect to monitoring and enforcing compliance with that section. 610. Customs user fees (a) In general Section 13031(j)(3) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(j)(3) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (C) Fees may be charged under paragraphs (9) and (10) of subsection (a) during the period beginning on July 8, 2025, and ending on July 28, 2025. . (b) Rate for merchandise processing fees Section 503 of the United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act ( Public Law 112–41 ; 125 Stat. 460) is amended— (1) by striking For the period and inserting (a) In general .—For the period ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Additional period For the period beginning on July 1, 2025, and ending on July 14, 2025, section 13031(a)(9) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 ( 19 U.S.C. 58c(a)(9) ) shall be applied and administered— (1) in subparagraph (A), by substituting 0.3464 for 0.21 ; and (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by substituting 0.3464 for 0.21 . . 611. Report on certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection agreements (a) In general Not later than one year after entering into an agreement under a program specified in subsection (b), and annually thereafter until the termination of the program, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following: (1) A description of the development of the program. (2) A description of the type of entity with which U.S. Customs and Border Protection entered into the agreement and the amount that entity reimbursed U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the agreement. (3) An identification of the type of port of entry to which the agreement relates and an assessment of how the agreement provides economic benefits at the port of entry. (4) A description of the services provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under the agreement during the year preceding the submission of the report. (5) The amount of fees collected under the agreement during that year. (6) A detailed accounting of how the fees collected under the agreement have been spent during that year. (7) A summary of any complaints or criticism received by U.S. Customs and Border Protection during that year regarding the agreement. (8) An assessment of the compliance of the entity described in paragraph (2) with the terms of the agreement. (9) Recommendations with respect to how activities conducted pursuant to the agreement could function more effectively or better produce economic benefits. (10) A summary of the benefits to and challenges faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the entity described in paragraph (2) under the agreement. (b) Program specified A program specified in this subsection is— (1) the program for entering into reimbursable fee agreements for the provision of U.S. Customs and Border Protection services established by section 560 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2013 (division D of Public Law 113–6 ; 127 Stat. 378); or (2) the pilot program authorizing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to enter into partnerships with private sector and government entities at ports of entry established by section 559 of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2014 (division F of Public Law 113–76 ; 6 U.S.C. 211 note). 612. Certain interest to be included in distributions under Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner shall include in all distributions of collected antidumping and countervailing duties described in subsection (b) all interest earned on such duties, including— (1) interest accrued under section 778 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1677g ), (2) interest accrued under section 505(d) of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1505(d) ), and (3) common-law equitable interest, and all interest under section 963 of the Revised Statutes of the United States ( 19 U.S.C. 580 ), awarded by a court against a surety’s late payment of antidumping or countervailing duties and interest described in paragraph (1) or (2), under its bond, which is, or was, realized through application of any payment received on or after October 1, 2014, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under, or in connection with, any customs bond pursuant to a court order or judgment, or any settlement for any such bond. (b) Distributions described The distributions described in subsection (a) are all distributions made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to section 754 of the Tariff Act of 1930 ( 19 U.S.C. 1675c ) (as such section was in effect on February 7, 2006) of collected antidumping and countervailing duties assessed on or after October 1, 2000, on entries made through September 30, 2007.

May 14, 2015 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment May 14, 2015 The Committees on Homeland Security , Foreign Affairs , Financial Services , and the Judiciary discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed