Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. EU Textile/Clothing Industry Requests Safeguards on 12 China Categories

2. U.S. Opens FTA Talks with Oman and UAE

The Washington File reports that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is opening free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman as part of the Bush administration's larger goal of creating a Middle East Free Trade Area (MEFTA) by 2013. (Washington File Pub 03/08/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=March&x=20050308145055ndyblehs0.479046&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

3. Honduras' Congress Ratifies the DR-CAFTA

The Journal of Commerce reports that the Honduran Congress has ratified the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the five Central American nations, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. (DR-CAFTA). The article notes that Honduras is the second country in the region, after El Salvador, to approve the DR-CAFTA and that Guatemala has announced that it will delay its vote on the pact until the week of March 7, 2005. (JoC Online dated 03/03/05, www.joc.com)

4. NCBFAA Has Had Supply Chain Security Committee Since 2001

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) formed a Supply Chain Security Committee in 2001 and presented a "Supply Chain Security White Paper" to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in May 2002. (NCBFAA Cargo Security White Paper available at www.ncbfaa.org/body/testimony/cswhitepaper.htm.)

5. New DDTC In-Person License Submission and Pick-Up Procedures

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has issued a notice announcing that due to heightened security concerns at government installations, DDTC has developed new procedures for in-person license submissions and document pick-up. DDTC states that while it expects the number of hardcopy, hand-delivered license applications to diminish with the advent of the automated electronic licensing system, the new procedures will stay in place until further notice. According to the new procedures, effective March 14, 2005, there is only one drop-off/pick-up time (3:00 p.m. M-F excluding holidays and other times Federal offices are closed). (DDTC notice, available at www.pmdtc.org/new_dropoff.htm.)

6. Commerce Approves New ID Standard for Federal Agencies

The Commerce Department has approved a new standard for a smart-card-based form of identification for all federal government departments and agencies to issue to their employees and contractors requiring access to federal facilities and systems. The card has an integrated circuit chip for data, including biometric data such as fingerprints. (Commerce press release, dated 02/25/05, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2005_Releases/February/25_Gutierrez_ID_Standards.htm)

7. FMC Reissues OTI License

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has reissued the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) license:

(FR Pub 03/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4630.pdf)

8. FMC Lists Applicants for OTI Licenses

The FMC has issued a notice stating that the following companies have filed applications for license as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF), or NVOCC/FF ocean transportation intermediary (OTI):

NVOCC/FF-OTI

Transatlantic Shipping, Inc. (CA)

FF-OTI

Logistics Northwest, LLC (OR)

(FR Pub 03/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4629.pdf)

8. FMC Revokes OTI Licenses

The FMC has revoked the following ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, effective on the corresponding dates shown below, for failure to maintain valid bonds:

(FR Pub 03/09/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4631.pdf)