Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may face a manpower problem as it begins to enforce export compliance as well as import. According to JoC, the Trade Act of 2002 requires exporters to go through roughly the same advance-reporting requirements as importers but the number of CBP inspectors on the export side is currently outnumbered more than 10 to 1 by the import staff. (JoC Pub 03/29 -04/04/04 www.joc.com)
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1. CBP May Face Manpower Shortage as it Enforces Export Compliance
2. WCO to Propose Resolution on Container Security at June Council Session
An article in the American Shipper reports that the World Customs Organization (WCO) secretariat plans to propose a new resolution at the WCO's June council session that will focus on the prevention of terrorist and other illegal infiltrations of ocean containers. According to the article, the WCO believes a resolution for physical container security could foster a "green channel" for cargo to the U.S. from non-Container Security Initiative (CSI) countries. (American Shipper, April 2004, www.americanshipper.com)
3. Report Finds Tariffs, Quotas, Etc. Amount to 6% Sales Tax on Consumers
Consumers for World Trade has issued a report examining the economic effects that tariffs, quotas, and other forms of protectionism have on American consumers. The report contends that such taxes raise the prices of both imported and U.S.-made goods, and amount to a "sales tax" of more than 6% on the average American consumer. (Report dated 11/01/03 available at http://www.cwt.org/learn/CWT%20Protection%20Tax%20Study.pdf)