Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that the first container equipped with electronic gizmos to track containers in transit under the Operation Safe Commerce (OSC) program has left a port in Asia, bound for Seattle-Tacoma. However, the article notes that the sensors in the box are not actually transmitting data, as the contracting company wants to test the durability and seaworthiness of its equipment before actual "proof of concept" begins. OSC participants have until July 31, 2004 to carry out tests, with a report to Congress due October 31, 2004. (JoC, dated 02/02/04 - 02/08/04, www.joc.com)
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1. First Container with Electronic In-Transit Tracking Departs Asia for Seattle as Part of OSC Test
2. Costa Rica and Honduras Certified as Not Subject to the U.S. Import Ban on Shrimp/Shrimp Products; Nigeria Now Subject to Ban
The State Department has issued a notice stating that on January 26, 2004, it certified, pursuant to section 609 of Public Law 101-162, that Costa Rica and Honduras have adopted programs to reduce the incidental capture of sea turtles in their shrimp fisheries comparable to the program in effect in the U.S., joining 14 other nations that have been so certified in 2003. The State Department also withdrew certification for Nigeria due to concerns over the effectiveness of its program. As a result, imports of shrimp harvested by commercial fishing technology in Nigeria will not be eligible for importation into the U.S., although products from artisanal fisheries or aquaculture production remain eligible for importation if accompanied by a properly executed DS-2031 Shrimp Importer's/Exporter's declaration. (Public Notice 4621, FR Pub 02/11/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-2972.pdf)
3. FDA Lists Foreign Juice Processors Approved by Their Governments
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued notice that provides the Web site locations of lists provided by foreign government inspection authorities of processors of juice that, according to those authorities, are in good standing and are meeting the requirements of the FDA juice Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation. (FDA notice, dated 01/22/04, available at www.cfsan.fda.gov/comm/juicimp.html.)
4. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):
NVOCC-OTIs
Jet Freight International Co., Ltd. (CA)
Wings Logistics USA Corp. (NY)
H & T Logistics Corporation (NY)
Besco Shippers Inc. (PA)
Elite Shipping, Inc. (FL)
Aliana Express, Inc. (CA)
Canaan Int'l Freight, Inc. (NY)
Trans Gate International, LLC. (NY)
FF-OTIs
Sembcorp Logistics (USA) Inc. (CA)
Air Cargo Transport Services, Inc., dba Priority Worldwide Services (MD)
I.C.A.T. Logistics, Inc. (MD)
NVOCC/FF-OTIs
Met Logistics, Inc. (IL)
JDB International Inc. (IL)
EFI Logistics, Inc. (CA)
(FMC notice (FR Pub 02/11/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-3001.pdf)