Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. U.S. and Panama Will Begin FTA Negotiations During Week of April 26th

2. U.S. & 11 Other Countries Allowed to Use Methyl Bromide Through 2005

The State Department's Washington File has reported that at the Montreal Protocol talks held March 24-26, 2004, it was agreed that the U.S. and 11 other countries could continue to use limited quantities of the agricultural pesticide methyl bromide through 2005. (Washington File Pub 03/27/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=March&x=20040327183209dmslahrellek0.4733087&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

3. New National Council of Textile Organizations Formed to Represent U.S. Industry

The new National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has been formed to represent the entire spectrum of the U.S. textile sector. According to NCTO's web site, the group's goal is to create a coalition to advance the interests of the textile sector. The centerpiece of the new group are four separate councils representing the fiber, fabric, supplier, and yarn industries. (NCTO web site available at www.ncto.org)

4. FMC Issues Annual Program Performance Report for FY 2003

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued its Annual Program Performance Report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2003. FMC Report, February 2004, available at http://www.fmc.gov/Dockets/2003%20Annual%20Program%20Perf%20Rept.htm

5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

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

FTZB notices (FR Pubs 03/22/04 and 03/24/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6347.pdf, http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6345.pdf, and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6614.pdf

6. 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

Polish Cargo Center, Inc. (PA)

Global Shipping LLC (NY)

Master Global Logistics, Inc. (CA)

Professional Service Shipping Inc. dba Proserv Shipping Company (NY)

Superior Brokerage Services, Inc. (MN)

FF-OTIs

Ace International Redistribution Center, LLC (IL)

NVOCC/FF-OTIs

C & J International Forwarding, Inc. (FL)

FMC notice (FR Pub 03/24/04) available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6617.pdf

7. CPSC Announces Lifetime Products to Pay $800,000 Penalty

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice stating that Lifetime Products Inc. of Clearfield, UT, has agreed to pay an $800,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it violated federal requirements for failing to report hazards associated with its portable basketball hoops. (CPSC notice 04-108, dated 03/29/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar04.html)

8. CPSC Issues Safety Warning for Paintball Guns

The CPSC has issued a notice warning consumers of paintball guns based on its investigation of two deaths caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) canisters flying off paintball guns. (CPSC notice 04-105, dated 03/24/04, available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar04.html)

9. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls

The CPSC has issued separate press releases (dated 03/17/04-03/30/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below: (Press releases available at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerelmar04.html)