Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Miscellaneous Tariff and Trade Bill Process No Longer Routine

2. FMC to Consider NCBFAA Petition on NVOCC Bonding Provisions at January 21 Meeting, Etc.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice announcing the addition of an open session to its January 21, 2004 meeting in order to consider the petition (P10-03) of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) to amend the non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) bonding provisions to reflect a recent U.S.-China maritime agreement. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/30/03 news, 03123015, for BP summary of FMC notice announcing the NCBFAA's petition.)

In addition, the FMC is announcing that it has added, to the closed session, consideration of the petition (P3-02) of the Association of Bi-State Motor Carriers, Inc. to investigate truck detention practices of the New York Terminal Conference at the New York/New Jersey port district. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/04 news, 04010699 3, for BP summary of FMC notice announcing the January 21, 2004 meeting.) (FR Pub 01/16/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-1138.pdf)

3. CDC Bans Imports of Civets Due to Potential of SARS Infection, Etc.

On January 13, 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an order for an immediate ban on the import of all civets as civets potentially can infect humans with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). (CDC order, dated 01/13/04, available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/civet_ban_exec_order.htm; Q&A on civet embargo, dated 01/13/04, available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/civetembargo.htm)

4. Deputy Commissioner Douglas Browning to Leave CBP on April 1, 2004

The Journal of Commerce reports that Douglas Browning, Deputy Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that he will be leaving CBP on April 1, 2004. (JoC dated 01/19/04, www.joc.com.)

5. China Responds to U.S. Trade Complaints by Purchasing Huge Quantities of U.S. Goods

Reuters reports that an anonymous U.S. trade official has expressed frustration with China's habit of responding to U.S. trade complaints by making huge purchases of U.S. goods. According to the report, China has responded to complaints about its pegged exchange rate and an estimated $125 billion trade surplus with the U.S. by going on a buying spree since November 2003. (Reuters Pub, 01/13/04, available at http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4120805)

6. State Dept. Official Says U.S.-Morocco FTA on Track for Completion

The State Department's Washington File reports that, according to Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, negotiations for the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are on track for completion by the end of January 2004. (Washington File Pub 01/09/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=January&x=20040109171614ndyblehs0.4475366&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html&PHPSESSID=b8b8cd2a271aa7cb284abda23f741450)

7. WCO to Hold Customs/Business Meeting on the Future of Rules of Origin

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has announced that it will hold a January 26-27, 2004 Customs/Business Meeting on the theme of "What does the future hold for rules of origin?" According to WCO, the aim of this meeting is to provide a discussion forum for Customs administrations and the various players in international trade, especially representatives from the private sector and international and regional organizations. (WCO press release 12/18/03, available at http://www.wcoomd.org/ie/En/en.html)

8. EU Officially Repeals Regulation that Would Have Imposed Additional Duties on U.S. Products if U.S. Had Not Lifted Section 201 Steel Duties

On December 12, 2003, the Council of the European Union (EU) officially repealed an earlier regulation that would have imposed additional duties on selected U.S.-origin products, as President Bush has ended the U.S.' Section 201 steel safeguard measures. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/05/03 news, 03120510, for BP summary of President Bush's proclamation.) (EU press release, dated 12/12/03, available at http://ue.eu.int/pressData/en/dec/78365.pdf.)

9. Federal Register Notice on FDA Revised Guidance for Food Facility Registration

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of a revised guidance entitled "Questions and Answers Regarding the Interim Final Rule on Registration of Food Facilities." (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/12/04 news, 04011210, for BP summary of this revised guidance.) (D/N 2003D-0545, FR Pub 01/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-598.pdf)

10. ISAC-1 on Aerospace Equipment to Hold Partially Open Meeting

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice stating that the Industry Sector Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment (ISAC-1) will hold a partially open meeting on January 21, 2004 in order to consider, during the open portion, an update on the Commerce Department Study on the Aerospace Industry and a briefing on the Office of Space Commercialization status. (FR Pub 01/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-550.pdf)

11. USA-ITA Seminar on FWS Requirements for Textile & Apparel Imports

The U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel (USA-ITA) has announced that it will hold a seminar entitled, When do U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Requirements Impact Your Importations?, on January 21, 2004 in New York, NY. (Further information available at http://www.usaita.com/)