Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
On June 30, 2005, the Senate passed S. 1307, a bill to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement. Washington Trade Daily reports that CAFTA implementation legislation faces a tougher battle in the House of Representatives. (Congressional Record, dated 06/30/05, available at http://thomas.loc.gov/r109/r109d30jn5.html; WTD dated 07/01/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com.)
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1. Senate Passes CAFTA Implementing Legislation
2. Certain NAFTA Rule of Origin Modifications Are Effective for Goods of Mexico Entered or Withdrawn for Consumption on/after June 15, 2005
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) sources have confirmed that the NAFTA rule of origin modifications made in Presidential Proclamation 7870 are effective for the specified goods of Mexico that are "entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after June 15, 2005." (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/29/05 news, 05062910, for BP summary of the USTR's notice announcing the affected goods and June 15, 2005 effective date.)
3. EC Press Release on Upcoming Regs on EC- China Textile MOU
The European Union (EU) has issued a press release announcing that the European Commission (EC) will issue a regulation to implement a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on textiles with China around the end of June 2005. Among other things, there will be a "double checking" system under which EU authorities will issue import licenses upon presentation of a corresponding export authorization issued by Chinese authorities (and upon verification of the existence of the necessary quantities). The press release also lists certain effective dates, etc. (EU Press Release, dated 06/28/05, available at http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/sectoral/industry/textile/notice_mou_impl_en.htm)
4. New FMC Form FMC-78 for NVOCC Service Arrangements Good Thru 03/08
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a final rule, effective June 1, 2005, which makes a technical revision to 46 CFR 531.99 and Form FMC-78 (NVOCC Service Arrangement Registration) in order to reflect that the current Office of Management and Budget (OMB) information collection control number is 3072-0070 expiring March 31, 2008, rather than 3072-0067 expiring May 31, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/23/04 news, 04122320, for BP summary of FMC's final rule on NVOCC Service Arrangements (NSAs).) (FR Pub 06/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-10922.pdf)
5. E.D. Bullard and Bullard Gmbh Settle Charges of Illegal Exports
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a press release announcing that E.D. Bullard agreed to pay a $330,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it exported and re-exported thermal imaging cameras to Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, and Venezuela in violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In addition, Bullard Gmbh agreed to pay a $36,000 civil penalty to settle charges that it resold, re-exported, and transferred thermal imaging cameras to Austria, France, and Switzerland in violation of the EAR.
6. APHIS Adds PPQ Treatment Schedules & Requirements to 7 CFR, Etc.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 7, 2005, which adds to 7 CFR Part 305 treatment schedules and related requirements that now appear in the Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Treatment Manual. Among other things, the final rule also removes the PPQ Treatment Manual from the list of material that is incorporated by reference into the regulations. (D/N 02-019-1, FR Pub 06/07/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-9387.pdf)
7. FMCSA Issues Fact Sheet on its COMPASS Program
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a fact sheet on its COMPASS program, a comprehensive overhaul of the way FMCSA collects, manages, and conveys safety information. According to the fact sheet, some of the more specific and tangible benefits of COMPASS are: improved system access through simple sign-on and easier navigation; simplified information reporting and data capture, enhanced work processes for information routing and service delivery, improved data quality, and improved (more user-friendly) interface with FMCSA's web-based technologies. (Fact sheet, dated April 2005) available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/what-we-do/compass/compass-factsheet.pdf.)