U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a 15-page memorandum containing its instructions on the filing and substantiation of claims for preferential tariff treatment made under the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SFTA).

(a) For previously reviewed or investigated companies not listed above, the AD cash deposit rate will continue to be the company-specific rate published for the most recent period.

In the February 4, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 6), CBP issued a notice proposing to revoke two classification rulings on certain voice and data terminal blocks. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in this notice.

On February 2, 2004, the World Shipping Council (WSC), the National Industrial Transportation League (NITL), the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA), and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) filed a petition with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requesting reconsideration of certain aspects of CBP's December 5, 2003 final rule on the advance electronic presentation of cargo information that pertain to inbound ocean cargo.

In the February 4, 2004 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (CBPBulletin) (Vol. 38, No. 6), CBP issued notices: (a) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on a set top box, and (b) proposing to revoke a classification ruling on certain liquid rubber. CBP states that it is also proposing to revoke any treatment it has previously accorded to substantially identical transactions that are contrary to its position in these notices.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued a press release announcing a temporary ban on the importation of certain birds and bird products from eight Southeast Asian countries in order to protect poultry and humans in the U.S. from the possible spread of avian influenza (flu).

The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) held its quarterly meeting on February 6, 2004 in Washington, DC.

¹ The ITA states that in addition to this AD new shipper review, these companies have requested an AD administrative review. If for any reason any of these companies are rescinded from this AD duty new shipper review, the ITA states that it will include such company in the AD administrative review.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) states that until further notice, filers are to use the code "YU" for the country of "Serbia and Montenegro," as ACS cannot yet accept the correct ISO code of "CS" for this country. CBP states that it currently maintains a number of unliquidated import entries from the former Czechoslovakia, that have a then-correct ISO code of "CS".

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued a press release announcing that on February 8, 2004, the U.S. and Australia concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) which is designed to, among other things, eliminate and reduce tariffs and other trade barriers. The USTR states that the text of this FTA will be made public in the near future.