Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The House Select Committee on Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that on January 4, 2005, the House of Representatives approved the creation of a permanent standing Committee on Homeland Security. This move follows the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that both the House and Senate should create a single, principal point of oversight and review for homeland security. (House press release, dated 01/04/05, available at http://hsc.house.gov/release.cfm?id=296,)
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1. House Creates Permanent, Standing Committee on Homeland Security
2. Companies Expected to Embrace "Smart" Box if It Becomes Available
The Journal of Commerce reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that the "smart" box could become reality within the next couple of years, perhaps at a cost of $50 per trip. The article notes that, as similar litigation to that which followed the September 11 terrorist attacks could arise if a container were used in a terrorist attack at a port, prudent companies wishing to take every precaution will embrace the "smart" container if it becomes available, even if it isn't mandatory. (JoC, dated 12/13/04, www.joc.com)
3. Portland CBP Issues Trade Bulletin on Enforcement Exams
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Portland, OR has issued the following Trade Bulletin:
Enforcement Exams
(Trade Bulletin 2005-07, issued 12/30/04, availablefromBP by fax only by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
4. ITC Initiates Review of "Commercial Availability" Petition on Certain Yarn
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has initiated a review to provide advice to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) concerning a petition filed on behalf of Ge-Ray Fabrics, Inc. under the "commercial availability" provisions of the CBTPA, the AGOA, and the ATPDEA on certain anti-microbial elastomeric filament yarn used in apparel. Written comments are due by January 31, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/13/05 news, 05011325, for BP summary of CITA's related notice.) (ITC notice, dated 01/24/05, available via email by emailing a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
5. CPSC Provisionally Accepts Settlement Agreement Over Defective ATVs
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice announcing that it has provisionally accepted a settlement agreement with Polaris Industries, Inc. containing a civil penalty of $950,000. It is alleged that Polaris knowingly failed to inform the CPSC that certain all terrain vehicles (ATVs) it manufactured and/or sold were defective. Comments and requests that the CPSC not accept this agreement are due by February 7, 2005. (CPSC D/N 05-C0005, FR Pub 01/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1049.pdf)
6. DoD Issues Interim Rule on Australia, Morocco FTAs, Other Trade Issues
The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued an interim rule which amends 48 CFR Part 225 to implement the Australia and Morocco Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which waive the applicability of the Buy American Act for some foreign supplies and construction materials from Australia and Morocco and specify procurement procedures. This interim rule also revises certain terminology, updates the list of "least developed countries", extends nondiscriminatory treatment to Caribbean Basin country construction material, etc. Comments should be submitted on or before March 14, 2005. (DFARS Case 2004-D013, FR Pub 01/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-759.pdf)