Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. China Moves Toward Requiring Export Licenses for Textiles & Apparel

2. Gulf Ports to Begin Charging Shippers & Carriers Port-Security Fees on April 1, 2005

The Journal of Commerce reports that on April 1, 2005, nearly all U.S. Gulf of Mexico ports will to begin to assess port-security fees against shippers and carriers to offset unfunded federal mandates for post-9/11 security improvements. A minimum security charge of 5% of dockage fees for each vessel call has been agreed upon, while charges for shippers will vary (e.g., breakbulk cargo will be charged 10/ton; liquid and dry bulk will be charged 2/ton; etc.) (JoC, dated 11/22/04, www.joc.com)

3. DHS' Inside Squabbles Blamed for Reducing Effectiveness

The Washington Post reports that, as its leadership changes for the first time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remains hampered by personality conflicts, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and an atmosphere of demoralization. The article states that although DHS has made strides in a number of areas, the department has gridlocked over efforts to secure hazardous chemicals on trains, stalled initiatives to develop tamper-proof shipping containers, etc. (Washington Post, dated 02/02/05, www.washingtonpost.com)

4. GE to Commercialize Sea Container Security Device & Tracking Service

Shippers' NewsWire reports that General Electric (GE) will commercialize an electronic security device and associated tracking service for maritime containers in the second half of 2005. According to Shippers' NewsWire, the system will be named "CommerceGuard" and will comprise an electronic sensor with a radio tag mounted inside the container door, as well as computer monitoring of when authorized persons activate or deactivate the device and whether any tampering occurs. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 02/10/05, www.americanshipper.com)

5. CBP Ports of Chicago and Portland Issue Bulletins and Pipelines

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ports of Chicago and Portland have issued the following pipeline and trade bulletin:

Chicago - CBP Agriculture Branch Location (Pipeline 05-01, dated 01/20/05)

Portalnd - PDX Air Carriers, Vendors & Tenants and Port of Portland Authority (Bulletin No. 2005-11, dated 02/07/05)

Copies of these pipelines/bulletins are availablefromBP via fax only by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.

6. APHIS Issues Corrections to Final Rule on BSE Minimal-Risk Regions

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued corrections to its January 4, 2005 final rule which, among other things, established regulations for designating bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) minimal-risk regions. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/05 news, 05010620, for Part II of BP's summary on this final rule, with a link to Part I.) (APHIS D/N 03-080-3, FR Pub 02/04/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/C4-28593.pdf)

7. AMS Accepting Applications for Certification & Nomination to Beef Board

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a notice that it is accepting certification applications from cattle or beef importer organizations, State cattle producer organizations or associations, and general farm organizations who desire to nominate producers or importers for appointment to vacant positions on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. Applications for certification must be received by close of business on March 21, 2005. (AMS No. LS-05-01, FR Pub 02/17/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-3071.pdf)

8. FMC Final Rule Amends Regulations Due to Agency Reorganization

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule, effective February 15, 2005, which amends its regulations at 46 CFR Parts 501, 502, 515 relating to agency organization to reflect the reorganization of the agency that took effect August 23, 2004. In addition, this final rule delegates authority to certain FMC bureaus in order to improve the FMC's ability to carry out its statutory responsibilities over the ocean shipping industry in a more effective and efficient manner. (D/N 05-01, FR Pub 02/15/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2918.pdf)

9. MARAD Withdraws ANPR to Amend its Cargo Preference Regulations

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced that it is withdrawing, effective February 14, 2005, its advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) published in the Federal Register on January 28, 1999, which requested comments proposed amendments to MARAD's cargo preference regulations. MARAD notes that once discussions and negotiations with other agencies are complete, it will initiate a new rulemaking action. (FR Pub 02/14/05, D/N MARAD-99-5038, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2753.pdf.)

10. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):

NVOCC-OTIs

Tropical Wind Cargo International, LLC (FL)

WEL Logistics, Inc. (CA)

Ridge International Freight, Ltd., dba RIF Line (WA)

PAB Shipping Inc. dba PAB Maritime Service (PA)

Autolog Forwarding Corporation (NJ)

NVOCC/FF-OTIs

Agent's House International, Inc. (FL)

SYL Cargo USA, Inc. dba SYL Cargo (FL)

Gridiron Forwarding Co., Inc. (NJ)

China Container Line Ltd. (CA)

Epic International Transport, LLC (CA)

FF-OTIs

JC Logistics (WA)

Action Brokerage Corp. (FL)

MTHM, Inc. (TX)

Carlin Logistics Incorporated (IL)

(FMC notice, FR Pub 02/16/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-2997.pdf)