Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Journal of Commerce reports that critics in the trade community have stated that U.S. Customs and Border Protection grossly underestimated the cost of compliance with 102, particularly for medium-sized and small importers, and Congressional homeland security committees question whether CBP has been thorough in its charge to work with the trade. (JoC, dated 03/17/08, www.joc.com)
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1. CBP Criticized for Underestimating Cost of 102 Compliance
2. Climate Negotiators Agree to Agenda for UN Climate Talks
The Washington Post reports that negotiators for the United Nations climate talks recently agreed on an agenda that they hope will lead to a global warming pact, overcoming a dispute between Japan and developing countries on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions and deleting a call for discussion of what the U.S. emissions reduction targets might be in the new agreement, leaving talk of that for 2009 when a new U.S. president will be in office. (Washington Post, dated 04/04/08, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/04/AR2008040400434.html)
3. President Sends Colombia FTA Implementing Legislation to Congress
On April 7, 2008, the President signed a letter to send legislation to Congress that would implement the U.S. free trade agreement with Colombia, which the two countries signed in November 2006. Commenting on the letter, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab stated that she looks forward to working with Congress on a bipartisan basis to find a way forward for the Colombia FTA, adding that they should continue to work together to lock in a long-term, two-way trade partnership with Colombia. (White House fact sheet on the president signing the letter, dated 04/07/08, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080407-5.html and USTR statement, dated 04/07/08, available at http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/April/asset_upload_file174_14726.pdf)
4.IFCBA World Conference to Be Held in Istanbul June 8-11, 2008
The International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations has announced that the 2008 IFCBA World Conference will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, June 8-11, 2008. This year's conference, "Staying Competitive in a SAFE World: The Role of Customs Professionals," will bring together business leaders, government representatives, international organization officials and industry experts from the Customs brokerage and international trade communities. (Note that the room block deadline is April 16, 2008.) (IFCBA conference information available at http://www.ifcba.org/modules/content/index.php?id=70)
5. Leading HK Shirt Manufacturer Plans to Open 4 Stores in China This Year
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council reports that Esquel Group, a Hong Kong-based cotton shirt manufacturer for brands like Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Marks & Spencer, plans to open up to four stores in China this year, and 10 within the next three years, to tap the demand for high-quality, own brand shirts. (HKTDC, dated 03/28/08, available at http://garments.hktdc.com/content.aspx?data=garments_content_en&contentid=1019533&w_sid=194&w_pid=679&w_nid=10353&w_cid=1019533&w_idt=1900-01-01&w_oid=207&w_jid)
6. IFCBA of New Orleans to Hold AES Compliance Seminar April 23-24, 2008
The Census Bureau has announced that the International Forwarders & Customs Brokers Association of New Orleans is sponsoring an Automated Export System Compliance Seminar in Metairie, LA on April 23rd & 24th, 2008. The Census Bureau will participate as presenters at the seminar. (Seminar information available at http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/meetingsandpresentations/exportcompliance-neworleans-20080423.html)
7. MARAD/JoC to Hold Short Sea Shipping Conference April 15-16, 2008
The U.S. Maritime Administration and the Journal of Commerce will be sponsoring the North America Marine Highway Conference entitled, "Short Sea Shipping's Next Steps," from April 15-16, 2008 in Virginia Beach, VA. The conference will consider the opportunities and obstacles to building a short sea shipping network as a viable and environmentally-friendly commercial freight alternative for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. (Conference information and online registration available at http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=af721b3a-0338-4be3-b0a9-1268cf658d44)
8. State Dept. Shipping Coordinating Subcommittees to Meet in April 2008
The State Department has announced that three subcommittees of the Shipping Coordinating Committee will be holding open meetings in April 2008 in Washington, DC as follows: the Subcommittee on Ship Design and Equipment will conduct a meeting on April 25, 2008; the Subcommittee on Safety of Life at Sea will conduct a meeting on April 30, 2008; and the Subcommittee on Stability, Load Lines and Fishing Vessel Safety will conduct a meeting on April 30, 2008. (State Dept. notice, Public Notice 6112, FR Pub 04/07/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-7216.pdf)
9. U.S. Int'l Telecommunications Advisory Committee Renewed for 2 Years
The State Department has announced that the Charter of the U.S. International Telecommunication Advisory Committee (ITAC) has been renewed for an additional two years. ITAC provides advice on matters of U.S. policy and advises on preparation of positions for meetings of international and regional organizations pertaining to telecommunication and information issues. (State Dept., Public Notice 6111, FR Pub 04/07/08, available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-7196.pdf)
10. Various Agencies Seek Comments on Information Collections
Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
| Agency | Information Collection | Comments Due/Status |
|---|---|---|
| APHIS | Pine Shoot Beetle Host Material from Canada | 04/24/08 |
| CBP 1 | Alien Crewman Landing Permit (Form I-95) | 05/27/08 |
| CBP 2 | Entry of Articles for Exhibition | 04/24/08 |
| CBP 3 | Documentation Requirements for Articles Entered Under Various Special Tariff Treatment Provisions | 05/27/08 |
| CBP 4 | Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa (Form I-193) | 05/27/08 |
| CBP 5 | Certificate of Compliance for Turbine Fuel Withdrawal | 04/24/08 |
| CBP 6 | Drawback Process Regulations and Entry Collection Documents (CBP Forms 7551, 7552, 7553) | 05/27/08 |
APHIS Information Collection (FR Pub 03/25/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-5940.pdf
CBP 1 & 2 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/25/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6011.pdf
CBP 3 & 4 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/25/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6021.pdf
CBP 5 & 6 Information Collections (FR Pub 03/25/08) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20081800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-6025.pdf