Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release stating that China has assured both the USTR and USDA that new Chinese import regulations will not interfere with trade in U.S. soybeans and other commodities. (USTR Press Release, dated 08/26/04, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/August/USTR_USDA_Receive_Assurances_from_China_on_Soybean_Shipments.html)
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2. China Says New Import Regulations Will Not Interfere With Soybean Trade, Etc.
3. Canada Announces Online/Automated Customs Information Service
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has issued a notice announcing that the Automated Customs Information Service (ACIS) can be accessed online as well as over the ACIS telephone system ( 1-800-461-9999). CBSA notes that the ACIS Online system contains information on topics such as business importation/exportation, exchange rates, etc. (CBSA Information, available at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/acis/acis-e.html)
4. GAO Recommends Coast Guard Partner With Local Organizations to Reduce AIS Cost
The General Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report in which it recommends that the Coast Guard partner with local private and public organizations to reduce Federal costs and facilitate the implementation of the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which the Coast Guard is developing in order to monitor ships traveling to and through U.S. waters. (GAO-04-868, dated 07/23/04 available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04868.pdf)
5. TSA to Test New Passenger Pre-Screening System Before End of 2004
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that within the next 30-60 days, it will begin testing Secure Flight, a new passenger-prescreening program under which TSA will check airline passengers' names against terrorist watch lists. According to TSA, Secure Flight was created in response to the results of its review of the Computer-Assisted Passenger Prescreening System (CAPPS II). (TSA press release, dated 08/26/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800c6c77)
6. DHS Selects Teams to Build, Test Anti-Missile Devices to Protect Commercial Aircraft
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that teams led by BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman have been selected for agreement negotiations to begin phase II of a program in which each team will build and test prototypes to determine whether a viable technology exists to address the potential threat that shoulder-fired missiles pose to U.S. commercial aircraft. (DHS press release, dated 08/25/04, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3952)
7. TSA to Test New Transportation Worker Identification Credential
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release announcing the award of a contract to begin the Prototype Phase of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), the goal of which is to analyze the administrative and business processes involved in collecting transportation worker data, performing background checks, issuing credentials and studying the day-to-day use of the cards. In the prototype, about 150,000 workers from maritime, rail, aviation, and ground modes of transportation are expected to participate at over 40 sites in six states. (Release dated 08/10/04, http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800c10bd.)
8. CBP Issues Notice on the Expedited Removal of Certain Class of Aliens
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice, effective August 11, 2004, authorizing the expedited removal proceedings any or all members of the following class of aliens: Aliens determined who are present in the U.S. without having been admitted or paroled following inspection by an immigration officer at a designated port-of-entry, who are encountered by an immigration officer within 100 air miles of the U.S. international land border, who have not established to the satisfaction of an immigration officer that they have been physically present in the U.S. continuously for the 14-day period immediately prior to the encounter. (CBP notice, FR Pub 08/11/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18469.pdf.)
9. Recent CPSC Press Releases on Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued separate press releases (dated 06/22/04 - 07/31/04) announcing that the following companies, in cooperation with the CPSC, are voluntarily recalling the products listed below (Press releases available athttp://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html):