Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Shipper's NewsWire reports that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is encouraging exporters to continue making voluntary self-disclosures of possible export violations. BIS notes that while some companies have become concerned that such disclosures lead to investigations and severe penalties, these fears are mostly unfounded. (American Shipper Pub 12/06/06, www.americanshipper.com)
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1. BIS Encourages Voluntary Self-Disclosure of Potential Export Errors
2. U.S. & Costa Rica Sign Agreement on Pocketing Fabric
The USTR has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. and Costa Rica have signed an agreement on pocketing fabric. The USTR adds that with the conclusion of this agreement, the U.S. has concluded agreements on pocketing fabric with all five Central American signatories to the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) and the Dominican Republic. The U.S. and the other CAFTA-DR signatories agreed to negotiate amendments on pocketing fabric when concerns were raised during Congressional consideration of the CAFTA-DR implementing bill. (USTR press release, dated 12/05/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/December/United_States_Costa_Rica_Sign_Agreement_on_Pocketing_Fabric.html)
3. U.S. Submits Annual Regulatory Reform Recommendations to Japan
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that the U.S. presented its annual comprehensive reform recommendations to the Japanese Government that urge further improvements in Japan's business environment and new market opportunities for U.S. exporters and companies seeking to do business in Japan. (USTR press release, dated 12/05/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/December/USTR_Schwab_Calls_on_Japan_to_Accelerate_Economic_Reform.html)
4. WCO To Hold April 2007 IT Conference & Exhibition in Mexico
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has announced that it will hold a 2007 IT Conference and Exhibition in Veracruz, Mexico on April 26 and 27, 2007. The conference is intended to provide an opportunity to exchange views on global developments and see demonstrations of the latest technologies. (WCO Pub, 12/04/06, available at http://events.wcoomd.org/aboutconferenceit2007.htm)
5. FAS Notice on Bulgarian LL Rice 601 Ban
The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has issued an attach report stating that Bulgaria banned imports and placing on the market of LL Rice 601 and other U.S. origin rice foods which may contain LL Rice 601. FAS states that since Bulgaria is not a traditional rice importer of U.S. rice, the trade impact is negligible. (FAS attach report, dated 11/16/06, available at http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200611/146249516.pdf)
6. PHMSA Corrects Proposed Rule on HMR Packaging Requirements
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued a correction to its proposed rule of September 1, 2006 which amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to clarify and incorporate packaging requirements, etc. This correction amends mathematical calculations of total annual respondents and total annual responses contained in the preamble. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/21/06 news, 06092130, for BP summary of the proposed rule.) (PHMSA correction, D/N PHMSA-06-25736 (HM-231), FR Pub 12/01/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20358.pdf)
7. FMC Lists OTI Reissuances, Rescission of Revocations, Revocations and Applications
The FMC has issued four notices that either reissue ocean transportation intermediary (OTI) licenses, revoke OTI licenses, rescind revocation orders, or list those applying for OTI licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows:
| Fried-Sped Logistics LLC (VA) |
FMC notices (revocations, rescission of order & reissuances) (FR Pub 12/06/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20663.pdf
FMC notice (applications) (FR Pub 12/06/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-20662.pdf