Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) reports that Hong Kong will insist on full electronic submission of air and rail cargo manifests by mid-July 2004. According to the report, there will be a further grace period for submission of ocean and river cargo manifests. JoC Online explains that Hong Kong introduced e-filing for air, rail, river, and ocean transport in April 2003, with a grace period to be determined by progress in the changeover. (JoC Online Pub 05/17/04, www.joc.com)
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1. Hong Kong to Require Full Electronic Manifests for Air, Rail Cargo by Mid-July 2004
2. U.S. & 5 Central American Nations Scheduled to Sign CAFTA on May 28th
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua will sign the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on May 28, 2004. According to the USTR, a date for signing CAFTA with the Dominican Republic will be announced when the Congressional consultation period is complete. (Press Release 2004-40, dated 05/13/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/05/04-40.pdf)
3. DOJ Determines Belgium Will be Allowed to Continue Participating in Visa Waiver Program
According to the State Department's Washington File, the Department of Justice has determined that Belgium will be allowed to continue participating in the Visa Waiver Program on a provisional basis for one year with another evaluation to be conducted at that time to determine whether Belgium's continued participation in the Program is in the law enforcement and security interests of the U.S. (Washington File Pub 05/14/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=200405141301051ACnosnhoJ0.6124536&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
4. BIS Seeks Comments on Information Collection Submitted to OMB
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following information collection:
| Information Collection | Comments Due |
| Written Assurances for Exports of Technical Data Under License Exception TSR | 06/07/04 |
FR Pub 05/06/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10348.pdf
5. AMS Seeks Comments on Information Collection
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on the following information collection for which it intends to request OMB approval for an extension:
| Information Collection | Comments Due |
| Lamb Promotion, Research, and Information Program | 07/06/04 |
FR Pub 05/04/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-10069.pdf