Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce Online reports that the petition submitted by a coalition of third-party logistics providers and national trade associations asking the FMC to allow non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to enter into confidential service contracts with their customers was submitted out of frustration that the agency has yet to act on the issue. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/05/04 news, 04080515, for BP summary of the coalition's petition.) (JoC Pub 08/03/04, www.joc.com)
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1. NVOCC Confidential Service Contract Petition Filed Out of Frustration
2. Australia's Parliament Set to Approve U.S.-Australia FTA
Reuters reports that Australia's parliament was set to approve the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after the government signaled that it could accept opposition changes to legislation for the FTA ahead of an election. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/05/04 news, 04080505, for BP summary on the enactment of the U.S.-Australia FTA Implementation Act by the U.S.) (Reuters dated 08/09/04, www.reuters.com.)
3. USTR Determines Chile Does Not Have a Trade Surplus in Sugar and Certain Sugar Containing Products
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a notice announcing that, pursuant to HTS Chapter 99, Subchapter XI, U.S. Note 12(a), it has determined that Chile does not have a trade surplus in sugar, sugar-containing products, and high fructose corn syrup. (Beginning in 2004, and annually thereafter, the USTR is required to publish a determination of the amount of Chile's trade surplus for goods in specified HTS Chapter 17 and 21 numbers.) (USTR notice, FR Pub 08/02/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17474.pdf.)
4. TSA Begins Registered Traveler Pilot Program in Houston
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release announcing that it began the Registered Traveler Pilot Program at George Bush Intercontinental (Houston) Airport in conjunction with Continental Airlines. Similar pilots were launched successfully in Minneapolis and Los Angeles in July, and the TSA is on track to expand the pilot program to Boston Logan International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport by the end of August. (Press Release dated 08/03/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800be7e4)
5. State Department Rescinds Statutory Debarment of Fuchs Electronics, Etc.
The State Department has issued a public notice announcing that, effective July 14, 2004, it has fully rescinded the statutory debarment against Fuchs Electronics (Pty) Ltd. (Fuchs), the Fuchs Electronics Division of Reunert Limited, and any divisions, subsidiaries, associated companies, affiliated persons, and successor entities pursuant to certain provisions of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. (Public Notice 4769, FR Pub 07/26/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-16589.pdf)
6. FMCSA Corrects June 2003 Interim Final Rule on Interstate Transportation of Household Goods
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued correcting amendments to its June 11, 2003 interim final rule that revised the requirements governing the transportation of household goods. According to FMCSA, this document corrects the interim final rule by revising certain sections of its Appendix. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/18/03 news, 03061899 3, for BP summary of this interim final rule.) (D/N FMCSA-97-2979, FR Pub 08/05/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-17931.pdf)