Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to Reuters, on September 27, 2004, the World Trade Organization (WTO) launched a probe into a complaint by the European Union (EU) that the U.S. had failed to drop illegal import duties on certain EU steel products from Britain, France and Spain. The article states that the panel request followed consultations where the EU stated that the U.S. had not removed all safeguard duties, while the U.S. stated that they had been adjusted after the WTO ruled them illegal two years ago. (Reuters dated 09/27/04, available at http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=businessNews&storyID=6344486 )
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1. WTO to Probe U.S. Duties on Some EU Steel
2. U.S., Canada, and Mexico Customs Brokers Form Alliance on North American Trade
The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) has issued a press release stating that on August 17, 2004, the customs brokers associations of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico joined forces to from the North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA), in order to enhance the security and efficiency of cross-border trade throughout North America. According to the press release, states that the first priority for the Alliance is the Advance Commercial Information (ACI) requirements and procedures that each government is developing and implementing. (NCBFAA press release (issued 09/27/04), available by email, by emailing documents@brokerpower.com )
3. CBP Posts Ultimate Consignee Reporting Requirement Document on Web
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently posted to its Web site its notice announcing an October 1, 2004 policy/reporting change for ultimate consignee at time of entry/release. CBP has also included a link to this document on its "What's New" page of its Web site. However, it should be noted that although CBP has posted this document on its Web site, the document does not come up when searching under the keywords "ultimate consignee" on its Web site. CBP had previously issued this document as a Memorandum to its Directors of Field Operations. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/22/04 news, 04092205, for BP summary of CBP's ultimate consignee policy/reporting change.) (CBP document, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/cargo_summary/ult_consignee.xml.)
4. House Votes to Loosen U.S. Economic Embargo on Cuba
According to a State Department Washington File article, the House of Representatives has voted to loosen the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba by easing restrictions on family travel to Cuba and also on removing barriers to agricultural sales and student exchanges. Washington File article, dated 09/23/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=September&x=20040923173813AEneerG0.6569483&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html.)
5. Miami to Only Offer Saturday Pick-up If Sufficient Interest is Shown
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Co., facing a growing backlog of containers, was not going to open on Saturday, September 24, 2004,for container pick-ups as proposed. The company states that it will make the same offer to open on Saturday, October 2, 2004, as along as it is assured by September 28, 2004 that 300 import containers would be hauled away. (JoC Online dated 09/23/04, www.joc.com.)
6. Thailand's First Probable Case of Human Infecting Another with Avian Flu
Reuters reports that Thailand has found its first known probable case of a human being infecting another with avian influenza, as a woman who recently died was probably infected by her infected daughter while looking after her in a hospital. (Reuters, dated 09/28/04, www.reuters.com.)
7. President Continues National Emergency With Respect to Sept. 11 Attacks
On September 10, 2004, the President continued for one year the national emergency that was declared on September 14, 2001 in Proclamation 7463, with respect to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the continuing and immediate threat of further attacks on the U.S. (FR Pub 09/13/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-20778.pdf)
8. TSA's Aviation Security Advisory Committee to Hold Open Meeting
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) will hold an open meeting on September 30, 2004 in Arlington, VA. (FR Pub 09/13/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-20552.pdf)
9. ITC Announces Gene Rosengarden Will Retire in January 2005
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a press release announcing that Gene Rosengarden, the Director of the Office of Tariff Affairs and Trade Agreements, will retire from U.S. government service, effective January 2005. (ITC Press Release 04-103, dated 09/27/04, available at http://www.usitc.gov/er/nl2004/er0927bb1.htm)