Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shippers NewsWire reports that the Census Bureau and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are engaging in talks aimed at finalizing the rules for mandatory electronic filing of export information (i.e., mandatory Automated Export System (AES) filing). The article notes that in February 2006, DHS and CBP threatened to hold the mandatory AES regulations unless Census changed language pertaining to post-departure filing of export information (i.e., Option 4) and gave DHS and CBP the right to share U.S. export information with other governments and federal agencies. The article further notes that Census sources have stated that the new regulations will not be out soon. (SNW dated 12/06/06, www.americanshipper.com.)
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1. Census and CBP are Discussing Mandatory AES Rule
2. U.S. to Ban Exports of Luxury Goods to North Korea
The Washington File reports that the U.S. will soon implement a portion of the United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1718 that bans the export of luxury goods to North Korea. According to State Department officials, the U.S. is neither imposing a full trade embargo nor is it restricting essential items such as food and medicine. (Washington File Pub 12/01/06, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=December&x=20061201181316bpuh0.8236353)
3. Customs Jump Team Visit to Hong Kong Causes Quota Price Increases for China 338/339 and 347/348
According to Hong Kong sources, advance news of the recent Customs Jump Team visit to Hong Kong probably caused the quota prices for China 338/339 to increase to $6.52/dozen and for China 347/348 to increase to $25.25/dozen as of December 4, 2006. Please correct the BP Note portion of 06120620 in the email version of ITT's 12/06/06 news to indicate the correct category of 347/348 (not 647/648). The Online Archives version of this issue is already corrected.
4. Sen. Baucus Insists South Korea Open its Market to U.S. Beef as Part of FTA Negotiations
Senator Max Baucus has issued a press release insisting that, as part of the U.S. and South Korea's Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, South Korea open its market to U.S. beef. South Korea closed its market to U.S. beef imports following the 2003 discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a cow in the U.S. In September 2006, South Korea opened its market to certain U.S. beef from cattle under 30 months of age; however, the country continues to prohibit beef products that contain bone material. (Sen. Baucus Press Release, dated 12/03/06, available at http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2005press/prb120306a.pdf)
5. CBP Extends Import Restrictions on Certain Archaeological & Ethnological Material from Bolivia
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a final rule, effective December 4, 2006, that amends 19 CFR Part 12 in order to reflect the extension of the import restrictions on certain archaeological and ethnological material from Bolivia for an additional five years, until December 4, 2011. (CBP Dec. 06-26, FR Pub 12/01/06, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20306.pdf)
6. DHS Issues Fact Sheet on Visa Waiver Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a fact sheet on security improvements to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Bush Administration recently announced its intention to work with Congress to reform the VWP and the fact sheet outlines the security requirements that DHS will work with Congress on implementing. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/01/06 news, 06120199 1, for BP summary announcing that the Administration & DHS will work together on VWP.) (DHS fact sheet, dated 11/30/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1164919987951.shtm)
7. BIS Renews Order Denying Export Privileges for Data Physics Corporation, Etc.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an order renewing for 180 days an order which temporarily denied export privileges to Data Physics Corporation, Data Physics China (Shanghai and Beijing Offices), Sri Welaratna and Bill Chen. BIS states that renewal of the order is necessary in the public interest to prevent an imminent violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/25/06 news, 06052599 3, for BP summary of the order denying export privileges.) (FR Pub 12/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-9419.pdf)
8. OFAC Designates 27 Additional Persons Under Narcotics Sanctions, Etc.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a notice which publishes the names of 27 newly-designated persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 12978, entitled "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers." The notice also publishes changes to identifying information associated with 18 previously designated persons. The designations and changes were effective November 28, 2006. (FR Pub 12/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20375.pdf)