Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. Secretaries of State and Agriculture Submit their Resignations

(WP dated 11/16/04, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50926-2004Nov15.html and

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52651-2004Nov15.html.)

2. New Border Security Testing at Laredo, Douglas, and Port Huron

According to the Associated Press, gateways from Mexico at Laredo, TX and Douglas, AZ have been chosen to begin testing the Homeland Security Department's increased border security technology on November 15, 2004. According to the article, the Canadian border city of Port Huron, MI is also participating. The article states that the technology - which calls for fingerprinting, photographing, and running checks on suspicious visitors - has been in place at U.S. airports and seaports since January 5, 2004, but officials want to pinpoint any glitches before the program extends to the U.S.' busiest land crossings by the end of 2004. (AP dated 11/15/04, available at http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/11/15/border.security.ap/index.html.)

3. Chicago CBP Pipeline on Bond Requirements for Informal Entries

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Chicago has issued a pipeline on bond requirements for informal entries. According to the pipeline, live informal entries submitted with CF 7501 and required duties, taxes, and fees prior to release of merchandise generally do not require a bond. Live informal entries require a bond (either a continuous bond or a single entry bond) when (1) the importer of record is on the "sanctions list," or (2) the informal entry is for non-textile or non-wearing apparel quota/visa merchandise (type 12). The pipeline notes that informal entries released under CF 3461 immediate delivery/entry procedures require a bond unless paid via ACH statement processing. The pipeline further notes that if an entry is conditionally released by another government agency, a formal entry is required. This means merchandise sampled by FDA requires a formal entry. CBP states that there are no exceptions to the above guidelines and that they apply to all importers including carriers who make entries for supplies, civil aircraft or parts thereof. (Pipeline 04-25, dated 09/30/04, available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)

4. DHS Secretary Outlines Progress in U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation

In a joint press conference with the Mexican Secretary of the Interior, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary outlined the progress that has been made in U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. Among other things, the DHS Secretary noted that since the last U.S.-Mexico binational commission meeting in November 2003 the U.S. and Mexico have created a cyber-security working group, implemented the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program at the seven largest ports on the border (accounting for 92% of commercial traffic on the U.S.-Mexican border, etc. (DHS Pub 11/09/04, available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4102)

5. OFAC Designates Aero Continente as Subject to Kingpin Act Sanctions

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued a statement naming Aero Continente, a passenger and cargo airline based in Lima, Peru, to its list of entities that are subject to American economic sanctions under the U.S. Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). The Washington File reports that OFAC contends that Aero Continente is controlled by Peruvian drug kingpin Fernando Zevallos Gonzales. (Washington File Pub 11/10/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=November&x=20041110150800AEneerG5.062282e-03&t=wh/wh-latest.html)

6. RSPA Announces Meetings on Upcoming UN Session on Transport of Dangerous Goods

The Department of Transportation's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) has issued a notice advising interested persons that it will conduct public meetings in preparation for and to report the results of the 26th session of the United Nation's Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE) to be held November 29 - December 7, 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland. The public meetings will take place on November 23, 2004 and December 15, 2004. (FR Pub 10/26/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-23881.pdf)

7. NAFTA Panel Issues Decision on Certain Corrosion-Resistant Steel Flat Products from Canada

The International Trade Administration (ITA) has announced that on October 19, 2004, a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) panel issued its decision to remand to the International Trade Commission (ITC) its final results of the full sunset review of antidumping (AD) duty orders on certain corrosion-resistant steel flat products from Canada and the ITA's continuation of the AD duty order based on the ITC's determination. The ITC will issue a determination on remand not later than December 3, 2004. (Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-00-1904-11, FR Pub 10/26/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-2857.pdf)

8. First Request for NAFTA Panel Review on Pure and Alloy Magnesium from Canada

The ITA has announced that on October 8, 2004, the counsel for Magnola Metallurgy, Inc. filed a First Request for Panel Review with the U.S. section of the NAFTA Secretariat pursuant to article 1904 of the NAFTA. Panel review was requested on the ITA's final results of the countervailing (CV) duty administrative review of pure and alloy magnesium from Canada. (Secretariat File No. USA-CDA-2004-1904-01, FR Pub 10/20/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/E4-2720.pdf)

9. Presidential Determination on Ex-Im Bank Support for U.S. Exports to Libya

The State Department has issued a notice stating that the President has determined and certified to Congress that it is in the U.S. interest for the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (Ex-Im Bank) to guarantee, insure, or extend credit, or participate in the extension of credit in support of U.S. exports to Libya, beginning November 13, 2004. (Public Notice 4856, FR Pub 10/08/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-22736.pdf)