Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On May 20, 2004, the House of Representatives appointed its conferees for H.R. 1047, the Miscellaneous Trade and Technical Corrections Act of 2003. As the House and Senate have passed different versions of H.R. 1047, a House-Senate conference would normally be needed to resolve the differences between the two versions of the bill. However, a conference on H.R. 1047 has not yet been held because there has been a 'hold' placed on the bill in the Senate which has prevented the Senate from requesting a conference and appointing its conferees. (See ITT's Online Archives or 05/03/04 news, 04050315, for final part of BP summary of Senate's version of H.R. 1047, with links to other parts.)(House Ways and Means Committee press release, dated 05/20/04, available at http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news.asp?formmode=release&id=215.)
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1. House Appoints Conferees for Miscellaneous Trade Bill
2. JoC Reports Steel Shortage in China Affecting Supply of Cargo Containers
The Journal of Commerce (JoC) has reported that a steel shortage in China this year has compromised the ability of container manufacturers to fill orders for new containers from shipping lines. JoC explains that most marine containers are manufactured in China and some factories were reportedly unable to fill 50% of their orders. According to the report, shipping lines rely on a steady influx of new containers to accommodate growing cargo volumes. (JoC Pub 05/10-16/04, www.joc.com)
3. CBP Reportedly Clarifies "Said to Contain" Prohibition
Shipper's NewsWire reports that the Through Transport (TT) Club has reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed that the prohibition of the clause "said to contain" in vessel manifests submitted to the authorities does not also apply to bills of lading issued by ocean carriers. According to the article, CBP has told the TT Club that the Automated Manifest System (AMS) rules do not control the language of the bill of lading, but only the type of reporting that has to be made to Customs. (SNW dated 05/24/04, www.shipppersnewswire.com.)
4. Senate to Vote on U.S. Accession to WCO Kyoto Convention
The Journal of Commerce reports that the Senate is expected to vote on the World Customs Organization's (WCO's) "revised" Kyoto convention before the 108th Congress adjourns, so that the U.S. may present its accession document to the WCO before the end of the year. The article states that once the U.S. accedes to Kyoto, it's likely that the convention will win wider acceptance among the WCO's 161 members. (JOC, dated May 10-16, 2004, www.joc.com)
5. Bush Administration Likely to Oppose Defense Bill's China Export Control Provision
The State Department's Washington File reports that a Commerce Department official has said that the Bush Administration is likely to oppose a provision in a House of Representatives Defense Department authorization bill for tightening export controls in order to prevent increased arms trade with China. (Washington File dated 05/20/04, http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=20040520160254ebyessedo0.7028467&t=xarchives/xarchitem.html.)
6. RSPA Schedules 2 Public Meetings in Connection with UNSCOE Session
The Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has issued a notice stating that it will hold public meetings in preparation for and to report the results of the 25th session of the United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE) to be held July 5-14, 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland. RSPA's meetings will take place on June 23, 2004 and July 21, 2004. (FR Pub 05/21/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11594.pdf)
7. FWS Investigation Fuels International Wildlife Trafficking Arrests in Brazil
According to a Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) press release, on May 14, 2004, the Brazilian Federal Police announced the arrest of 11 individuals linked to an international trafficking scheme and the seizure of 1,000 wildlife items. The press release notes that these arrests marked the culmination of an investigation that began after the FWS notified the Brazilian government that tribal handicrafts decorated with feathers and other wildlife parts were being smuggled to the U.S. and possibly other countries from Brazil. (FWS press release dated 05/20/04) available at http://news.fws.gov/NewsReleases/R9/A27618AA-65B8-D693-7D11C4153B231107.html.)
8. BIS' Regulations and Procedures Advisory Committee to Meet June 8, 2004
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced that the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) will meet on June 8, 2004 in Washington, DC. According to BIS, the topics to be addressed at this meeting include the Excluded Parties Listing System, the country group revision project, the Automated Export System (AES), the Simplified Network Application Process (SNAP), etc. (BIS notice, FR Pub 05/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-11430.pdf.)
9. DHL Worldwide Express, Inc. Settles with APHIS for $208,250
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a press release stating that DHL Worldwide Express, Inc. has agreed to a settlement regarding numerous charges of violating the Plant Protection Act and the Animal Health Protection Act, and has paid a civil penalty of $208,250. APHIS notes that most of the charges include releasing plant and animal products for shipment without proper authorization. (APHIS press release, dated 05/11/04, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/news/2004/05/dhlworld_ies.html)