Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. WCO Calls For Increased International Cooperation on Transportation Security

2. U.S. and Colombia Set to Begin FTA Negotiations on May 18-19, 2004

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Colombia are scheduled to begin free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations on May 18-19, 2004. According to the press release, other Andean countries may also be included in these negotiations. (USTR Press Release 2004-25, dated 03/23/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/03/04-24.pdf)

3. FMCSA to Widen Container Chassis Safety Enforcement Efforts

Shippers NewsWire reports that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) officials have stated that they plan to widen efforts to ensure the safety of the U.S. container chassis pool by working on the front end companies that provide the equipment. The article states that FMCSA officials are awaiting congressional passage of the reauthorized Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), now called the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA), which contains provisions related to container chassis safety enforcement. Otherwise, the article reports, FMCSA officials will seek a proposed rulemaking. (SNW, dated 03/23/04, www.shippersnewswire.com.)

4. USDA Launches Avocado Variety Enforcement Program

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a news release announcing an improved inspection and varietal verification process for imported avocados in order to ensure that imported avocados meet avocado import requirements under Section 8e of the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937. (AMS press release No. 042-04, dated 03/18/04, available at www.ams.usda.gov/news/042-04.htm.

5. APHIS Proposed Rule on Imports of Certain Citrus Fruit from Chile

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a proposed rule to amend its regulations to allow the importation, under certain conditions, of clementines, mandarins, and tangerines from Chile. Written comments are due on or before May 21, 2004. (D/N 02-081-2, FR Pub 03/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6325.pdf)

6. USTR Seeks Members for 2004 U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice seeking letters of interest by April 27, 2004 for private sector membership on the U.S. side of the U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission for 2004. USTR states that it is expected that the 2004 Commission meeting will be held in mid-2004 on the topic of "Advancing U.S.-Japan Economic Cooperation." (FR Pub 03/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6267.pdf)

7. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The Foreign Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions:

FTZB notices (FR Pub 03/16/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5922.pdf and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-5921.pdf

1. FMC Reissues OTI License

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has reissued the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license:

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/17/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6040.pdf

1. FMC Revokes OTI Licenses

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that it has revoked the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, effective on the corresponding dates shown below:

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/17/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6040.pdf