Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that on August 2, 2005, President Bush signed the Dominican Republic-Central America - U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) into law. (A Presidential Proclamation is still required to amend the tariff schedule, etc. for DR-CAFTA. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/29/05 news, 05072905 for BP summary.) (WTD, dated 08/03/05, www.washingtontradedaily.com )
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1. President Signs CAFTA Implementation Bill into Law
2. PierPASS Began Collection of TMF on July 29 at LA/Long Beach
PierPASS Inc. has issued a press release stating that on Friday, July 29, 2005 at 3 a.m., PierPASS began assessing the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) on all loaded containers entering or exiting marine terminal gates by road during peak daytime hours. According to the release, cargo owners that failed to submit PierPASS registrations contributed to a dramatic increase in traffic on July 29. In addition, PierPASS customer service centers are experiencing delays from the increased number of new registrants, some trucks have been held at the gates pending payment of Peak hour fees, and the PierPASS web site is experiencing heavy online traffic and delays. (PierPASS press release, dated 07/29/05, available at www.pierpass.org)
3. Officials Discover Possible 3rd Case of U.S. Mad-Cow
The Wall Street Journal reports that Agricultural Department officials said they are investigating a third possible U.S. case of mad-cow disease, adding that no meat from the suspect animal entered the food chain. (WSJ, dated 07/28/05, www.wsj.com )
4. Canadian Union Files Safeguard Petition on 9 China Product Categories
UNITE HERE Canada has filed a petition with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) requesting safeguard measures on imports from China of the following nine product categories: (1) men's and boys' suits, (2) men's and boys' jackets and blazers, (3) men's and boys' overcoats, (4) men's and boys' pants, (5) men's and boys' woven dress shirts, (6) women's and girls' brassieres, (7) women's and girls' jackets and blazers, (8) women's and girls' pants, and (9) women's and girls' skirts. (UNITE HERE Canada press release, dated 07/08/05, available at http://www.unitehere.ca/releasedetail.asp?ID=94; Petition, dated 07/07/05, available by emailing a request to documents@brokerpower.com; Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) notice with additional information, available at http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/us0514d.htm)
5. AMS Final Rule Changes Min. Quality & Handling Standards for Peanuts
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a final rule, effective August 2, 2005, which changes the peanut quality and handling standards to require that domestic and imported peanuts be dried to 18% moisture or less prior to inspection and to 10.49% or less prior to storing or milling. (D/N FV05-996-2 FR, FR Pub 08/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15167.pdf)
6. BIS Extends Temporary Denial of Export Privileges for Wen Enterprises, Etc.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing, effective July 31, 2005, the order temporarily denying export privileges for Wen Enterprises, Ning Wen, Hailin Lin, Beijing Rich Linscience Electronics Company, and Ruo Ling Wang shall remain in effect for an additional 180 days. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/09/05 news, 05020999 3, for BP summary of the original denial of export privileges for these entities. (FR Pub 08/01/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-15140.pdf)