Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
According to Zisser Group and Global Data Mining, LLC, more than 40 importers, including Totes-Isotoner, Target (and its affiliate Associated Merchandising Corp.), Payless Shoesource, Asics, Columbia Sportswear, and Steve Madden have filed complaints with the U.S. Court of International Trade accusing the U.S. of gender and age discrimination in the tariffs its imposes on similar items of apparel, footwear, and gloves. These companies state that more than 2,200 pairs of HTS codes are impacted by discriminatory duties (over 300 for age discrimination and more than 1,900 for gender discrimination). (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/07/07 news, 07080725, for BP summary on Target's and Totes-Isotoner's cases.) (Full article available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
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1. More than 40 Importers File CIT Cases Alleging Gender and Age Bias in U.S. Tariff Rates
2. CPSC Chairwoman Warns Against Turning Product Safety Issue with China into Trade Issue
China Economic Net reports that the acting chairwoman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Nancy Nord, recently warned against turning a product safety issue with China into a trade issue. Nord added that both China and the U.S. have agreed to hold the Second Biennial Consumer Product Safety Summit in September 2007 to take feasible measures to ensure food security and reliability of Chinese products. (CEN, dated 08/31/07, available at http://en.ce.cn/Business/topnews/200708/31/t20070831_12744728.shtml)
3. DHS and Vermont Develop Potential Alternative Document for WHTI
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a press release announcing that DHS has agreed to launch a project with the state of Vermont, much like the agreement reached with Washington state, that will enhance the security of state driver's licenses and potentially serve as a compliance alternative for Vermont to meet Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements for crossing U.S. land and sea borders, which are to become effective January 31, 2008. (DHS press release, dated 08/20/07, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1187646614580.shtm)
4. EU Allows Britain to Resume Nearly All Animal/Meat/Dairy Exports to EU Countries
Reuters reports that European Union veterinary experts recently agreed to let all of Britain, except part of the county of Surrey, resume exports of live animals, meat and dairy products to other EU countries after two recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. (Reuters, dated 08/23/07, available at http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2372060020070823?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews)
5. India and Japan May Sign Economic Partnership Agreement by End of 2007
According to The Times of India, India is trying to complete negotiations on a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with Japan by the end of this year, which will cover goods, services and investments. (Times of India, dated 08/23/07, available at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/India_Japan_may_sign_trade_pact/rssarticleshow/2302140.cms)
6. DHS Makes Available 14 Privacy Impact Statements until October 12th
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a notice announcing the availability of fourteen Privacy Impact Assessments on various programs and systems in DHS. These assessments were approved and published on DHS' Privacy Office's Web site between April 1, 2007 and June 30, 2007 and will be available on DHS' Web site until October 12, 2007 (http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/publications/editorial_0511.shtm). (FR Pub 08/13/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15817.pdf)
7. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Revocations and Applications
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued three notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, revoke OTI licenses or list those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| Pacific Systems Inc. (GA) |
FMC notices (reissuances, revocations & applications) (FR Pub 08/01/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-14909.pdf