Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that progress has been made on two technology fronts in the battle for supply-chain security - an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working group has agreed to an outline of standards for an electronic container seal and a company that has been working closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to perfect a container security device announced that it had passed a critical test for reliability. The article notes that a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation expected to require seals for all containers is under departmental review. (JoC, dated 02/06/06, www.joc.com.)
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1. Progress is Being Made in Container Seal Technology
2. Benin Signs Millennium Challenge Compact Worth $307 Million
The Washington File reports that on February 22, 2006, the US. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the government of Benin signed a $307 million, five-year compact that is expected to benefit up to half of Benin's population by reducing poverty, promoting economic growth, and creating a business environment that will spur investment. (Washington File Pub 02/23/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=February&x=20060223163907WCyeroC0.4110987&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
3. EU Trade Commissioner Proposes Progressive AD Duty on Chinese and Vietnamese Leather Shoes
The European Union (EU) has issued a press release announcing that the EU Trade Commissioner has recommended provisional antidumping (AD) duties of 19.4% for China and 16.8% for Vietnam, with respect to imports of leather shoes. According to the press release, the EU trade commissioner will recommend that this AD duty be phased in over a period of five months, beginning at about 4%. (IP/06/218, dated 02/23/06, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/218&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
4. EU Issues Q&A on Antidumping Investigations
The European Union (EU) has issued a list of questions and answers (Q&A) related to antidumping (AD) investigations-including both general AD inquiries as well as more specific questions related to the ongoing AD investigation on Chinese and Vietnamese footwear. The EU press release states that proportionate to its economy, the EU is a very moderate user of AD measures, initiating fewer cases and imposing fewer measures, than most other major economies including the U.S., India and China. (MEMO/06/95, dated 02/23/06, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/95&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
5. FWS Reminder on Address for Comments on its Proposed Rule to Prohibit Import and Export of Certain Large Cat Species, Etc.
The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has published a follow up document to its January 31, 2006 proposed rule which reminds the public that the address for comments on its proposed rule to prohibit the import and export of certain large cat species, etc. is different from the address for comments on the information collection aspects of the proposed rule. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/07/06 news, 06020730, for BP summary of FWS proposed rule.) (FWS notice, FR Pub 02/22/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1674.pdf.)
6. FMC Lists OTI Applications
The FMC has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, as follows:
| Applications |
| NVOCC OTI Applicants: |
| Cargo Honduras, Inc. (FL) |
| NVOCC/FF OTI Applicants: |
| Global Freight Forwarders Inc. (MA) |
| Liberty Container Line, Inc. (MN) |
| FF/OTI Applicants: |
| Transglobal Logistics Inc. (NJ) |
FMC notice (FR Pub (01/11/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-165.pdf