Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has unveiled Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Plus, which will provide participants with a "green lane" (i.e., no inspections upon arrival and immediate release of cargo). However, the article notes that even if importers obtain immediate release from CBP, other government agencies, including the FDA and USDA, can hold up cargo for hours, days, weeks, or months with little evidence of a violation. (JoC, dated 04/11/05, www.joc.com)
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1. C-TPAT Plus Intended to Provide Participants with "Green Lane"
2. U.S. and Thailand Will Soon Begin Negotiations on Open Skies Pact
The Washington File reports that Thailand and the U.S. will soon begin negotiations on a full Open Skies aviation agreement. Both countries have indicated that they are committed to reaching an agreement on passenger flights within six months, building on a cargo aviation agreement signed in October 2003. (Washington File Pub 04/19/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=April&x=20050419172302asesuark0.6202814&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
3. BIS Issues Technical Correction to its CB License Final Rule
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a technical correction to an April 14, 2005 final rule that expanded the country scope of the license requirements that apply to chemical/biological (CB) equipment and related technology, etc. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/20/05 news, 05042020, for the final installment of BP's three-part summary on this final rule, with links to earlier installments.) (FR Pub 04/21/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/C5-7523.pdf)
4. TSA Requests Comments on Biometrics Guidance for Airports
The DHS' Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a notice asking for comments on its initial draft guidance on biometric technology in connection with access control systems in the nation's airports. Although a meeting was held on March 11, 2005, and written comments were due by March 18, 2005, TSA states it will consider all comments after the due date to the extent practicable. (TSA D/N TSA-2005-20485, FR Pub 03/04/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4179.pdf, Draft guidance document available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com )
5. APHIS Final Rule on Classical Swine Fever in Certain Mexican States
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective April 12, 2005, which amends 9 CFR Part 94 by adding the Mexican States of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Sonora, and Yucatan to the lists of regions considered free of Classical Swine Fever (CSF). (APHIS D/N 02-002-2, FR Pub 03/28/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-6028.pdf )
6. CBP and Other Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections, for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due |
|---|---|---|
| CBP | Declaration for Unaccompanied Articles | 05/13/05 |
| CBP | Permit to Transfer Containers to a Container Station | 06/13/05 |
| CBP | CF 3229 - Certificate of Origin | 06/13/05 |
| CBP | Line Release regulations | 06/13/05 |
| CBP | Report of (Coastwise Vessel) Diversion | 06/13/05 |
| CBP | Notice of Detention | 05/23/05 |
| BIS | Exemption from Short Supply Limitations on Export for Agricultural Commodities; Public Hearings on Monitoring/Controls Petitions on Recyclable Metallic Materials | 06/20/05 |
| BIS | Requests for the Appointment of a Technical Advisory Committee | 06/20/05 |
| BIS | National Security and Critical Technology Assessment of the U.S. Industrial Base | 06/20/05 |
| ITA | ITA-4075P - Mission/Exhibition Evaluation Form | 06/20/05 |
| ITC | Current 'Generic Clearance' under which information collections are issued for AD, CV, NAFTA, etc. | 05/14/05 |
| APHIS | Pork and Poultry Products from Mexico Transiting the U.S. | 05/23/05 |
| ATF | Records and Supporting Data: Importation, Receipt, Storage, and Disposition by Explosives Importers, Manufacturers, Dealers, and Users Licensed under Title 18 USC Chapter 40 Explosives | 04/15/05 |
(CBP Information Collections - FR Pub 04/13/05 and 04/22/05, available under "Customs and Border Protection" at respectively http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050413c.html and http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050422c.html
BIS Information Collections - FR Pub 04/20/05, available under "Industry and Security Bureau" at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050420c.html
ITA Information Collection - FR Pub 04/20/05, available under "International Trade Administration" at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050420c.html
ITC Information Collection - FR Pub 04/15/05, available under "International Trade Commission" at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050415c.html
APHIS Information Collection - FR Pub 03/22/05, available under "Animal and Health Inspection Service" at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050322c.html
ATF Information Collection - FR Pub 03/16/05, available under "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau" at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a050316c.html )