Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. House Passes Bill to Repeal FSC/ETI Tax Regime, Etc.

2. Numerous Groups Oppose Bill to Require Coast Guard Approval of Non-U.S. Ship Security Plans

Shippers' NewsWire has reported that several industry associations representing U.S. exporters, importers, and manufacturers, as well as groups of shipowners and individual ocean carriers, have written a joint letter to the members of the House and Senate conference committee working on the U.S. Coast Guard authorization bill (H.R. 2443) to express concerns about a proposal in the House version of the bill that the Coast Guard review and approve vessel security plans for non-U.S. vessels that already have security plans approved by their governments pursuant to an international convention negotiated by the U.S. government. (Shippers' NewsWire Pub 06/21/04, www.americanshipper.com)

3. DOL Signs Joint Letters of Understanding With China on Labor, Etc.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a press release announcing the signing of four letters of understanding to broaden cooperation between the U.S. and China in the areas of labor, employment and workplace safety. The four agreements concerned, among other things, wage and hour regulations, occupational safety and health, accident emergency response, and regulation and administration of pension programs. (DOL Press Release, dated 06/21/04, available at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/OPA20041117.htm)

4. U.S. Plans to Appeal WTO Verdict in Favor of Brazil on Cotton Subsidies

Washington Trade Daily reports that the U.S. plans to appeal a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel verdict in favor of Brazil that showed how farm subsidies given to U.S. upland cotton farmers violate global subsidy rules. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/05/03 news, 03080525, for BP summary of the USTR's request for comments on this dispute.) (WTD dated 06/21/04, www.washingtontradedaily.com)

5. OFAC Amends Cuban Assets Control Regulations, Etc.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued an interim final rule, effective June 30, 2004, which amends the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) at 31 CFR Part 515 to implement certain recommendations of the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, to make additional changes consistent with the President's policy with respect to Cuba, and to make certain technical and clarifying changes. Written comments must be received no later than August 16, 2004. (FR Pub 06/16/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13630.pdf)

OFAC is also amending the terms of current licenses for travel-related transactions incident to visiting close relatives in Cuba issued pursuant to the CACR in effect prior to June 30, 2004 so that they terminate no later than 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on June 30, 2004. (FR Pub 06/16/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13631.pdf)

6. CBP Retracts Erroneous Revocations of Customs Broker National Permits

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker national permits were erroneously included in a list of revocations:

(FR Pub 06/10/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13127.pdf)

7. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Local Permits Without Prejudice

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker local permits are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 06/10/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13126.pdf)

8. CBP Cancels Customs Broker License With Prejudice, Then Retracts Its Revocation

CBP issued a notice announcing that Customs broker license number 10691, from the issuing port of Los Angeles, belonging to Sherri N. Boynton was canceled with prejudice. Subsequently, CBP issued a notice retracting the revocation of this license.

(FR Pubs 06/01/04 and 06/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-12260.pdf and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14039.pdf, respectively.)

9. CBP Retracts Erroneous Revocation of Customs Broker License

CBP has issued a notice announcing that the following Customs broker license was erroneously included in a list of revoked Customs broker licenses:

(FR Pub 06/01/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-12259.pdf)

10. CBP Cancels Customs Broker Licenses Without Prejudice

CBP has issued two notices announcing that the following Customs broker licenses are canceled without prejudice:

(FR Pub 06/03/04 and 06/10/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-12534.pdf and http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-13125.pdf, respectively.)