Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. CBP Agrees to Accept Traditional Definition of "Shipper" on Bills of Lading

2. EU and China Initial Customs Cooperation Agreement

The European Union (EU) has issued a press release stating that it has initialed an agreement with China on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance. The agreement aims to improve customs cooperation in order to facilitate trade, to increase security and combat terrorism, as well as to combat counterfeiting, piracy and customs fraud. (EU Press Release IP/04/599, dated 05/06/04, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/5990RAPID&lg=EN&display= )

3. BIS Settlement and $2,000 Fine for MA Company's Export Violations

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a press release stating that ADCO Sales Inc. (ADCO) of Woburn, MA agreed to pay a $2,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it exported optical sighting devices in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. BIS charged that the company exported such devices to Hong Kong, Switzerland, and Israel without the required export licenses. (BIS Press Release, dated 05/03/04, available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2004/MACompanySettles5_3_04.htm)

4. RSPA Withdraws ANPR on Cargo Tank Rollover Damage Requirements

The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has issued a notice withdrawing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) published on November 16, 1999 that requested comments on a research study entitled, The Dynamics of Tank-Vehicle Rollover and the Implications for Rollover-Protection Devices. RSPA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have determined that additional study is necessary. (D/N RSPA-99-5921 (HM-213A), FR Pub 05/13/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10819.pdf)

5. USTR Does Not to List Any Countries as Denying Fair Market Opportunities for Certain Airport Construction Projects

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has determined not to include any countries on the list of countries that deny fair market opportunities for U.S. products, suppliers, or bidders in foreign government-funded airport construction projects. (FR Pub 05/12/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10730.pdf)

6. DHS Continuity of Operations Exercise to Test Federal Govt Readiness

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a federal-government wide continuity of operations (COOP) exercise entitled "Forward Challenge 04" on May 12-13, 2004, during which more than 40 federal agencies, including DHS, tested and evaluated COOP procedures during a simulated terrorism-based scenario to ensure essential functions and responsibilities continue during an emergency that may require federal departments and agencies to relocate to alternative sites. (DHS fact sheet available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/press_release/press_release_0409.xml)

7. 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-ocean (NVOCC) or NVOCC/ocean freight forwarder (FF) (NVOCC/FF) ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs):

NVOCC-OTIs

Glotrans International, Inc. (CA)

Innerpoint, Corp. (CA)

ATEC Systems, Ltd. (FL)

Polamer Inc. (IL)

Island Shipping & Delivery (NY)

The Ultimate Freight Management New York Inc., dba Major Consolidation Service Co. (NY)

NVOCC/FF-OTIs

Avion Company, Inc. dba Novia Company (CA)

CTC Distributing, Ltd. (TX)

Star Airfreight Co., Ltd. (NY)

Star Airfreight Co., Ltd. (CA)

Vivek Shipping Company, LLC (GA)

(FMC notice (FR Pub 05/13/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10823.pdf)

1. FMC Reissues OTI Licenses

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

(FMC notice (FR Pub 05/13/04) available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10822.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 05/13/04) available at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10821.pdf)