Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to an editorial in the Journal of Commerce, ports throughout the U.S. are watching PierPASS and if cargo volumes continue to increase at 10% or more at gateways in the Pacific Northwest and on the East Coast, those ports could face the kind of congestion Southern California saw in 2004. The editorial notes that if PierPASS works out its problems in the months ahead, look for similar programs at other ports within the next year or two. (JoC, dated 08/29/05, www.joc.com.)
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1. Other Ports May Consider Programs Similar to PierPASS
2. Future China Safeguard Quotas to Benefit from CIT Injunction
A commentary in American Shipper notes that the long-term effects of the injunction issued by the Court of International Trade (CIT), which prevented the Bush administration from blocking U.S. imports of apparel from China for five months, are only now becoming apparent. The commentary opines that the 2005 surge in textiles and apparel from China means future safeguard actions will be less effective than earlier safeguards because the new safeguard quotas will be based on 2005's import levels. In addition, any 2007 and 2008 safeguards, if approved, would be based on the higher 2006 quotas. (American Shipper, November 2005, www.americanshipper.com.)
3. Thailand Lifts Ban Against U.S. Beef
The Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issue a press release stating that Thailand has decided to lift its ban on most imports of U.S. beef, as Thailand has determined that U.S. control measures assure the safety of U.S. beef. (USTR release, dated 10/20/05, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2005/October/USTR_Portman_USDAs_Johanns_Welcome_Lifting_of_Beef_Ban_by_Thail.html )
4. FDA Public Meeting on Assessing Consumer Perceptions of Health Claims
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a notice announcing that it will hold a public meeting entitled "Assessing Consumer Perceptions of Health Claims" in order to present research assessing consumers' reactions to health claims. FDA states that the meeting will address the implications of these studies for future research. (FDA D/N 2005N-0413, FR Pub 10/19/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20969.pdf )
5. DOL Final Rule Implements Changes in Minimum Wage Rates for American Samoa
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a final rule, effective October 18, 2005, which amends regulations at 29 CFR Part 697 to implement changes in the minimum wage rates applicable to various industry classifications in American Samoa under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA provides for a special industry committee appointed by the Secretary of Labor to determine minimum wage rates in American Samoa. (FR Pub 10/03/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-19738.pdf)
6. FDA Final Rule Amends Regulations on Maximum Sodium Levels for Foods Labeled "Healthy"
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule, effective September 29, 2005, which amends 21 CFR Part 101 with regard to the maximum sodium levels permitted for food that bear the implied nutrient content claim "healthy." The FDA states that it is retaining the currently effective, less restrictive, "first-tier" sodium level requirements for all food categories, including individual foods (480 mg) and meals and main dishes (600 mg). (D/N 1991N-0384H and 1996P-0500 (formerly 91N-384H and 96P-0500), FR Pub 09/29/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-19511.pdf)
7. BIS Sensors and Instrumentation TAC to Hold Partially Open Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) will meet on October 27, 2005 in Washington D.C. SITAC advises the Office of Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to sensors and instrumentation equipment and technology. (BIS notice, FR Pub 10/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20576.pdf )
8. State Dept International Telecommunications Advisory Committee to Hold Open Meetings
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that the International Telecommunications Advisory Committee/Study Group A will hold meetings on October 19, 2005, October 20, 2005 (by conference call) and November 15, 2005. According to the notice, the meetings are to debrief the recent meeting of ITU-T Study Group 3 (Charging and accounting) and prepare for ITU-T Study Group 2 (Operational aspects of service provision, networks and performance). (State Dept notice, FR Pub 10/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20548.pdf )
9. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations and Rescission of Revocation
The FMC has issued three notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, revoke OTI licenses, or rescind a revocation of an OTI license, as follows:
Rescission of revocation | ||
| 018765N | PR Logistics Corporation (Bayamon, PR) | N/A |
FMC revocations notice (FR Pub (10/05/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20013.pdf
FMC reissuances notice (FR Pub (10/05/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20014.pdf
FMC rescission of revocation notice (FR Pub (10/05/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-20009.pdf