Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
PierPASS Inc. has issued a press release stating that effective April 24, 2006, it will adjust the current Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) assessed on container traffic using marine terminal day gates under the OffPeak program to $50 per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) or $100 per FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit or larger), an amendment from the program's original $40 per TEU rate. (Note that PierPASS had originally issued a press release setting the effective date for this increase as April 3, 2006.) (PierPass, dated 03/24/06, available at http://www.pierpass.org/press_room/releases/?id=26 )
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1. PierPASS Announces April 24th Fee Increase for OffPeak Users
2. EC Adopts Provisional AD Measures on Certain Leather Shoes from China, Vietnam
The European Union (EU) has issued a press release announcing that on March 23, 2006, the European Commission (EC) adopted provisional antidumping (AD) duty measures on certain leather shoes from China and Vietnam. According to the EU, the duties will be imposed progressively over a period of five months beginning on April 7, 2006 and will rise to 16.8% for subject merchandise from Vietnam and 19.4% for subject merchandise from China. Among other products, the EU notes that the provisional measures exclude children's leather shoes. (EU Press Release IP/06/0364, dated 03/23/06, available at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/364&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)
3. DOL Seeks Comments on Labor Rights and Laws in Korea
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a notice requesting comments on labor rights in the Republic of Korea and comments describing the extent to which it has in effect laws governing exploitative child labor. Comments will be used to assist the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Labor (DOL) prepare reports associated with the proposed U.S.-Korea free trade agreement (FTA). Comments must be received no later than April 17, 2006 at 5 p.m. (FR Pub 03/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2879.pdf)
4. President Continues National Emergency With Respect to Zimbabwe
On February 27, 2006, the President issued a notice continuing for one year the national emergency blocking the property of persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Zimbabwe. This emergency was originally declared in Executive Order (EO) 13288 on March 6, 2003. (FR Pub 03/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-1987.pdf)
5. BIS Extends Tatos' Export Denial Order to Assegai Trading (Pty) Ltd.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the order denying certain export privileges to Phaedon Nicholas Criton Constan-Tatos (aka Fred Tatos) is applicable to related person Assegai Trading (Pty) Ltd. until its expiration on November 15, 2010 as outlined in BIS' notice. (See ITT's Online Archives or 01/24/06 news, 06012499 3 for BP summary of BIS order against Phaedon Nicholas Criton Constan-Tatos.) (BIS Notice, FR Pub 03/24/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-4267.pdf.)
6. State Dept Finds No Significant Environmental Impact from Valero Pipeline from Mexico to U.S.
The State Department has issued a notice announcing that it has concluded that issuance of a Presidential Permit authorizing construction of the proposed Valero Burgos Pipeline would not have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment within the U.S. Accordingly, a Finding of No Significant Impact is adopted and an environmental impact statement will not be prepared. (State Dept Public Notice 5313, FR Pub 02/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2350.pdf.)
7. State Dept Authorizes Valero to Construct Pipeline Across U.S.-Mexico Border
The State Department has issued a notice authorizing Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. (Valero) to construct, connect, operate, and maintain a pipeline across the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Among other things, the State Department states that the pipeline will be used to transport light naphtha across the border from Mexico to the Valero Terminal in Hidalgo County, Texas, crossing the Rio Grande River. (Public Notice 5312, FR Pub 02/17/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-2349.pdf)
8. APHIS Allows Interstate Movement of Certain Pine Bark Products
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule amending its regulations to allow pine bark products produced from trees felled from July 1 to October 31 to be moved interstate from pine shoot beetle-quarantined areas with a movement certificate. According to APHIS, this final rule becomes effective April 19, 2006. (APHIS final rule, D/N 04-031-2, FR Pub 03/20/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-2626.pdf), APHIS Press Release (dated 03/20/06) available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/03/pinebk.shtml)