Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The World Shipping Council (WSC) has sent a letter to the House Homeland Security Committee urging the Committee to defeat H.R. 4899, the "Sail Only if Scanned Act," if it is offered as an amendment when the Committee considers H.R. 4954, the SAFE Port Act. According to the WSC, H.R. 4899 would require every ocean shipping container to be "scanned" in a foreign port before the container is loaded on the vessel for shipment to the U.S. (WSC letter, dated 04/18/06, available at http://www.worldshipping.org/king_letter.pdf.)
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1. WSC Urges Defeat of Possible Scanning Amendment to the SAFE Port Act
2. Law Firm Newsletter Provides Truck e-Manifest Update
Rodriguez O'Donnell Ross Fuerst reports in their April 2006 Trade and Transportation Update that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a bulletin announcing a May 15, 2006 deadline for advance notice of shipment if the border port is Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) implemented. The update notes that "truck e-manifest, PAPS or QP must be filed in advance of arrival. If not, the truck will not be permitted to proceed or unlade." (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/21/06 news, 06042105, for BP summary of CBP's announcement.) (Rodriguez O'Donnell Ross Fuerst April 2006 update available at http://www.rorfgw.com/NEWSLETTER/newsletter.html.)
3. WTO To Miss April 30th Deadline for Agreement on Agriculture Cuts
The Journal of Commerce Online (JoC Online) reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries are going to miss an April 30, 2006 deadline for an agreement on broad formulas to cut farm subsidies and tariffs. Sources stated that it was possible a ministerial meeting would occur on May 2, 2006. (JoC Online Pub 04/20/06, www.joc.com)
4. ITC Releases Public Version of Report on GSP Special Review on Watches
The International Trade Commission (ITC) has issued a public version of its report entitled, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2005 Special Review on Watches. However, it should be noted that the public version of the report does not include the ITC's analysis of the likely economic impacts of the certain provisions on watches. The report is available at http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/docs/pubs/332/pub3841.pdf. (ITC Press Release 06-021, Inv. No. 332-471, dated 03/16/06, available at www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2006/er0316dd1.htm
5. State Dept Revises Discussion Topics for Open Meeting of Advisory Committee on Int'l Law
The State Department has issued a revised notice about an open meeting of the Advisory Committee on International Law that will take place on April 28, 2006 in Washington, D.C. The notice is revised to state that the meeting will discuss various issues relating to current international legal topics, including the law of armed conflict and human rights, immunity for visiting artworks, international criminal accountability, and current issues related to nuclear cooperation. (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/20/06 news, 060420996, for BP summary of the original notice on the State Department meeting. State Dept Public Notice 5378, FR Pub 04/24/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-3902.pdf)
6. BIS Transportation and Related Equipment TAC to Hold Open Meeting
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced an open meeting of the Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on May 3, 2006 in Washington, DC. This committee advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on technical questions that affect the level of export controls applicable to transportation and related equipment or technology. (BIS notice, FR Pub 04/24/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-3832.pdf)