Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Los Angeles Times reports that more than 20,000 international passengers were stranded for hours at Los Angeles International Airport on August 11 as a malfunctioning U.S. Customs and Border Protection computer system prevented U.S. officials from processing the travelers' entry into the country. The computer malfunction only affected LAX, and while CBP officials say it is not the first time the computer system malfunctioned, it was the longest. (LA Times, dated 08/13/07, available at http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lax12aug12,1,6412046.story?track=rss)
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1. CBP Computer System Malfunction Held Up 20,000 Int'l Passengers at LAX
2. World Shipping Council Condemns 100% Scanning Requirement for Maritime Containers
The World Shipping Council has issued a statement strongly condemning the 100% scanning requirement for U.S.-bound maritime containers at foreign ports contained in the "Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" (P.L. 110-53). (WSC statement, dated 07/30/07, available at http://www.worldshipping.org/wsc_legislation_statement.pdf)
3. BIS Expects Electronics, Semiconductor, Chemical Industries to Benefit from China VEU Program
American Shipper reports that the Bureau of Industry and Security has stated that the most significant aspect of its recent China export final rule is the creation of the Validated End-User program which authorizes qualifying companies to receive certain U.S.-controlled items without individual export licenses, as BIS expects certain industry sectors, in particular electronics, semiconductor equipment and chemicals, to benefit from the rule. (American Shipper, dated August 2007, www.americanshipper.com)
4. Tire Importer Issues Second Recall on Chinese-Made Tires
MSNBC.com reports that a tire importer, Foreign Tire Sales Inc., has said that it will recall 255,000 Chinese-made tires it claims were defective because they lack a safety feature that prevents tread separation, but the company notes that while the affected tires do not meet its safety standards, they do meet all federal motor vehicles safety standards. In June, the company was ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to recall as many as 450,000 tires that it bought from Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. since 2002. (MSNBC.com, dated 08/09/07, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20192114)
5. CITA Cancels Meeting on DR-CAFTA "Commercial Availability" Request, Request Withdrawn
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements has issued an electronic notice announcing that its August 14, 2007 meeting with Ascot LLC and two potential suppliers of fabric regarding Ascot's DR-CAFTA "commercial availability" request for certain woven fabrics has been cancelled as the request has been withdrawn. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/08/07 news, 07080899 7, for BP summary announcing the meeting.) (CITA's electronic notice available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com)
6. ICE Release on Arrest for Export of Military Aviation Parts to Malaysia
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that Jilani Humayun (aka Zach H., aka S. Humayun) was arrested on charges relating to the export of aviation parts for military fighter jets, articles listed on the U.S. Munitions List, to a company located in Malaysia. In particular, Humayun was charged with eleven violations of the Arms Export Control Act, one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, Humayun faces a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment on each of the eleven Arms Export Control Act violations and 20 years on each of the other two charges. (ICE press release, dated 07/19/07, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070719newyork.htm)
7. Two Individuals Alleged to Ship Mobile TeleNetwork, GPS Equipment to Iraq Indicted for Violation of Embargo
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a press release announcing that two Michigan siblings, Dawn and Darrin Hanna, of Technology Integration Group Services Inc., have been indicted for allegedly conspiring with others to obtain and ship the components for a mobile telecommunications network and GPS equipment to Iraq during an embargo with that country. If convicted on the charges, each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. (ICE press release, dated 07/25/07, available at http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070725detroit.htm)
8. PHMSA Seeks Input on Pipeline Transport of Ethanol and Other Unblended Biofuels
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has issued a formal policy statement confirming its jurisdiction over the transportation of ethanol and other unblended biofuels (biofuels) by pipeline (in addition to the other modes of transportation, e.g., vessel, rail, and highway, currently used in the transport of biofuels in the U.S. today). Comments on the challenges and opportunities associated with transporting biofuels are due by September 10, 2007. (PHMSA, D/N PHMSA-2007-28136, FR Pub 08/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15615.pdf)
9. DOE Meeting, Framework on Energy Standards for Small Electric Motors
The Department of Energy has issued a notice announcing the availability of a Framework Document and a public meeting on September 13, 2007 in Washington, DC on the initiation of a rulemaking process to adopt new energy conservation standards for small electric motors. The DOE has also prepared a Framework Document, which is available on its Web site. The DOE encourages written comments on these subjects by September 28, 2007. (D/N EERE-2007-BT-STD-0007, FR Pub 08/10/07, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/E7-15692.pdf)
10. GAO Reports High Attrition Rate Among TSA Security Officers
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report entitled DHS's Actions to Recruit and Retain Staff and Comply with the Vacancies Reform Act, which states that, among other things, the Department of Homeland Security's 2006 attrition rate for permanent employees was affected by high levels of attrition (about 14-17%) among transportation security officers at DHS' Transportation Security Administration. (GAO-07-758, dated July 2007, available at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07758.pdf)